SATURDAY APRIL 20, 2024
SATURDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF EASTER B
Acts 9:31-42
John 6:60-69
OUR FAITH IN THE EUCHARISTIC MYSTERY
In itself, the Eucharist is a doctrine that expounds the love of God for humanity. That Jesus gave himself as food for our journey, and it is the sacrifice that atones for our salvation and the glory of our salvation. But for many others, attaining or understanding such may be difficult for them.
While the disciples and apostles of Jesus accepted this doctrine wholeheartedly, submitting to it without questioning on the basis that they trust, believe and want to repose their faith in Christ, even though they could not comprehend completely the doctrine, others rejected it outrightly and stopped following Jesus entirely.
The Eucharistic mystery can either be our source of salvation when it is approach with faith or a stumbling block when it is approach with doubts or reasons alone. Jesus cautions us today to always approach this mystery with great faith. It is beyond the understanding of man and there is no need in trying to understand this mystery from the point of reason as Jesus was insistent that his words were spirit and life. The flesh has nothing to offer as such.
Exercising our faith in the Eucharistic mystery entails believing, trusting, hoping and exerting ourselves to accommodate this doctrine in our lives without questioning. It means trusting in the words of Jesus, reclining on it and resting ourselves upon the words.
By so doing, we end in our hearts all doubts, all reasons to think otherwise, and all practices inimical to the spread of the doctrines in our society.
We show our faith in the Eucharistic mystery by our attendance and participation in the Mass and the sacrifice of the altar. Then in private visitation of the Blessed sacrament, in public or liturgical celebration of the worship of the Eucharist outside the mass are veritable ways of showing faith in the Eucharistic mystery.
But in all, we must recall and enhance the practice of gathering and participating in the celebrations of the Church which is predominantly, a people gathered together in a Eucharistic assembly. It is here that life is given, faith is exercised in the mystery and lives are nourished and eternal heritage are prepared for the people.
The Christian community can only be seen, recognized and help themselves around the Eucharistic celebration. We must uphold this, participate actively in this and be ever enthusiastic to improve on it. Here, our God lives and acts actively.
God our Father, grant us deep faith in the Eucharistic mystery. May we delight and never abhor the practice of gathering around to celebrate this means of our salvation. May our Eucharistic community be blessed, our prayers answered, our lives improved and our union with Christ be assured as we celebrate daily through Christ our Lord.
Fr Norbert Uchuno
