the life-stopping gift
"This is My body, which is for you." —1 Corinthians 11:24
The Eucharist is the body and blood, soul and divinity of Jesus. The Eucharist is not only a gift from God, but the Gift Who is God. Therefore, the Eucharist is the greatest of all gifts.
How are we to respond when God gives us His body and blood? The right response to the greatest Gift is communion (see Ps 116:12ff), that is, the sharing of covenanted, unconditional love. Therefore, when Jesus gave us His body and blood, He presented us not only with the greatest Gift but also the greatest responsibility (see Lk 12:48). When God gives us His body and blood, we are put in the position where we either radically reject Him or receive communion with Him in such depth that every aspect of our lives is transformed and we are never the same. We live no longer for ourselves but for Him (2 Cor 5:15). We lose our lives (Lk 9:24).
On this Holy Thursday, let us respond to the greatest Gift by giving ourselves radically, unconditionally, and totally to Jesus. Let us not only go to Holy Communion but be in communion. May Holy Communion not only be part of our lives, but may our lives be part of the eternal, infinite, Trinitarian communion.
Prayer: Father, may Holy Communion bring an end to my worldly, selfish life.
Promise: "If I washed your feet — I Who am Teacher and Lord — then you must wash each other's feet." —Jn 13:14
Praise: Praise the eucharistic Jesus! Praise His body and blood!
Reference: (Are you desiring to grow more deeply in love and holiness? Presentation Ministries offers a ten-day series of Discipleship Retreats April 25 through May 4. This is a great opportunity to abide in God's word. For information, call 937-587-5464 or e-mail retreats@presentationministries.com)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Giles H. Pater, October 17, 2002
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 21, 2002