Third Sunday of Easter (John 21:1-19) “It Is the Lord”
Third Sunday of Easter (John 21:1-19) “It Is the Lord”
Take, Bless, Break, Share. In the Gospel of John, there is no story of the institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper. But that doesn’t mean that John has nothing to say about the Eucharist. John is the gospel that provides most of our Eucharistic Theology.
The Eucharist isn’t a thing, but it is an action. We could say that there are four verbs that describe the actions that constitute Eucharist. The verbs are Take, Bless, Break, Share. We see those four verbs being acted out in the story we read in today’s Gospel.
Jesus calls the apostles in from their night of fishing. He models ministry for them just like when he washed the feet of the disciples at the last supper. He is the servant leader. He starts the fire. He makes the breakfast. Jesus takes the bread. Jesus blesses the bread. He then breaks it. He shares it. When they see Jesus do this the Apostles are assured that Jesus is physically present. No apparition would eat a meal with them. Neither would a spirit.
Jesus is teaching them once again through the Eucharist action about the Christian approach to life. The bread could represent the life we have been given. Every Christian is handed the bread of the Eucharist repeatedly.
As Christians we are first to accept the life that has been given to us. God is the source of all life. Our God wants to share his life. We can reject the life we are given, or we can embrace it. Our lives are sacred. The question is always how we are going to live? Every life is a mystery. We know there will be surprises along the way. Some events will be pleasurable. Other episodes will be distressing. We have seen that the last few years haven’t we. Who would have dreamed that we would experience what we have? Pandemics, Economic Crisis, Wars, Church scandal, political turmoil, division, how have we dealt with all these challenges?
If we accept life, hopefully we see it as a blessing despite the challenges. We, in a sense consecrate what we experience. The way we bless our lives is that we live a life of gratitude. Our first words of prayer can always be words of thanksgiving. We realize that we are the stewards of our time on earth. We don’t want to abuse the life we have been given by wasting our lives in selfish pleasures. We want to sanctify our life by giving time to holy things.
Our lives are broken at times. How do we feel about it? Lenard Bernstein was charged with writing a musical for the opening of the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. in 1972. The musical was to honor the first Catholic president. The musical was called “The Mass”. Bernstein chose to take a controversial step. The liturgy was acted out in a dramatic way. Bernstein’s work reflected his own faith life, its ups, its downs. At one climactic moment the priest celebrant rises, standing on a pyramid of people, but suddenly, the pyramid collapses as the priest throws a glass chalice when in spiritual crisis. He falls to the ground. His vestments are torn away. The chalice drops shattering on the floor. The priest has a stunned look, but then he picks up the shattered glass. He says, “Somehow this looks kind of beautiful,” as he looks at the shards.
Our lives are broken at times. Christian people are asked to be resilient. When we see someone experience heartbreak, but we see them carry on with courage, isn’t there something beautiful about that? We are inspired when we see fidelity lived out.
The climactic moment of the Eucharistic action is when we are asked to go out to share our Christian lives with the world. When we receive the consecrated host, we consume it. We are then asked to become what we have received. We take the good news of Jesus out of the church to the others. We are to be the true presence of Jesus in the world. We are to be Jesus in action.
Take, bless, break, share. Eucharist need not be a periodic experience on Sunday morning, but it can be an encounter that we live out every day. Eucharist can be about how we live. Often it is described as the sacrament of the present moment. All of life is meant to be a sacrament. If that is how we approach life, then Jesus truly lives. We are like the apostles. At certain times we are the ones who point and say, “It is the Lord, he lives.”
Reflection Questions:
- Is the Eucharist an object for me? Is the Eucharist an action? What is the difference?
- What is the bigger challenge for me, living in brokenness, or sharing my faith?
Dear Parishioners,
We received word from the Diocese of Peoria a few days ago that our plan for our new Gathering Center had been approved. This means the design has been accepted and the financing proposal has been deemed appropriate.
There has been a lot of work that has taken place since last fall. The Building Committee has met numerous times. Hours and hours of work have been put in. We have tried to hold the line on cost even though inflation has gone through the roof. The result will be a nice building that will meet our needs. We also will need to borrow some money to complete the building. We had not anticipated this when we started, but costs have gone up 45%. We either act now or we will have to spend a lot more. More information will be on our website soon.
Sometimes I ask myself if this is the time to move forward and then something happens that strengthens my resolve. Today we had a wedding at our parish. I was standing outside, and a man pulled up in a car. He asked if we had a handicapped entrance. The man had a walker. I explained that we had the East entrance that had three steps. I then explained we had an outside wheelchair ramp on the other side of the church. The man became agitated. He said, “I will just have to tell the bride I could not get in.” With that he drove off. These incidents happen often.
Let’s pray that by this time next year I can say to those who inquire. “Yes, we have three entrances without steps. Let me show you where they are.” This would certainly be a sign that we would like to welcome everyone to our liturgies.
May Our Lady of Peace intercede in our violent world.
Fr. Mark