Dear brothers and sisters,
This evening the Church begins the Sacred Triduum (three days) with the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord's Supper. It celebrates and remembers the institution of the Eucharist and the priesthood, which is at the service of the Eucharist.
This year is a strange year because we cannot celebrate this together, publicly. Something is off this year, and I think it is helpful to acknowledge that. You are missing something essential this year. But this "missing something" does not need to be in vain. Sometimes, when we are without something, it sharpens our desire for it. Not being able to be at the Mass of the Lord's Supper this year can sharpen our need and desire for the Eucharist.
By having the gift of the Eucharist delayed this year, may you grow in your desire for it. To assist that end, you will find below the beginning of a series on the Eucharist from Bishop Robert Barron. The video at the end of this email is just over three minutes. Give it a watch and hopefully you'll want to watch the rest of the videos in the series.
One thing Bishop Barron mentions, that I can relate to, is seeing people clamor to receive the Eucharist at a big Papal Mass. My first year in seminary, Mother Teresa was beatified. As a seminarian, I was able to accompany a priest distributing communion at her beatification (I held an umbrella over the priest and the Eucharist during communion). I saw people clamoring to get to the front of the crowd control barriers to receive Jesus in the Eucharist and I remember thinking, "This must have been what it was like for people to seek out Jesus, when he walked the earth." May we seek Jesus with that same passion.
If you would like to watch the Mass of the Lord's Supper this evening, here are a few places you can do it:
And now, the intro to the series on the Eucharist by Bishop Robert Barron...
Which command from Jesus has been obeyed the most?
Jesus taught us many things while he was on earth. He left us many commands: the Beatitudes, lessons from the Parables, and instructions on how to live the perfect life.
But what is the command that Christians have obeyed most consistently throughout the centuries?
“Do this in memory of me” happens many times, each and every day, throughout the whole world.
Watch this short 3 minute video to find out why:
Questions:
- Bishop Barron tells of his experience as a Eucharistic minister at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, saying that he had the distinct feeling that he was distributing the Eucharist to people who were “starving for it.” Have you ever been starving for the Eucharist? What type of hunger does it fill?
- “Eucharist” means thanksgiving. How do we express gratitude during the ritual of the Mass? For what are you personally thankful?
- Why did Vatican II call the Eucharist the “source and summit of Christian life”?
After watching, PLEASE ADD A COMMENT sharing your thoughts, or ask any questions you have! We'd love to answer them!