May 04 2025, English

Eating and drinking are fundamental to daily life. Someone gave Rocky, my most adorable puppy, a tray saying, “I eat, therefore I exist.” Without food and drink, we cannot properly think or function. Food and drinks are the most common at birthday parties, family reunions, or other social gatherings.
 
In many stories in the gospel, Jesus appears in the context of eating.  The first miracle was to change water into wine at a wedding banquet. The night before he died for us, he gathered his beloved friends and shared a Passover meal, the Lord’s Supper. After his resurrection, in the breaking of the bread, the two disciples in Emmaus finally recognized their Master, who had risen from the dead (Luke 24:30-31).  When the disciples gathered in fear after his death, Jesus appeared to them and assured them peace, while showing his hands and feet. What was it that he said as the disciples were overwhelmed with joy? “Have you anything here to eat?” (John 21) He sounds like a hungry teenager. But it is he who is about to feed us. 
The risen Christ is always with us, giving us his body and blood through the Mass, which is also known as the Eucharist, thanksgiving, and the Lord’s Supper. Through the Mass, the sacrifice of Jesus for us on the cross is both realized and actualized. We recognize and remember the death and resurrection of Christ, following his command: “Do this in memory of me” (Luke 22:19).
 
It is a sacrament of communion, unity, and love par excellence. In receiving the body of Christ, we become one with Christ and one another. We may have different names, and our roots and heritages may stem from many other cultures, but we share the same bread and become one body of Christ, the Church. All share at the same table: the rich and poor, young and old, those on opposite sides of the political spectrum, those born in this country and others. No one gets special treatment, except the sick or feeble. When we celebrate the Eucharist, we are not alone; all the Catholics worldwide and the saints in heaven join us. So, we have the communion of saints and a taste of heaven in the Eucharist.

Yesterday, over one hundred twenty young people received their First Communion here at St. Jude, receiving the Body of Christ for the first time! They have learned to appreciate Jesus's sacrifice for them and us. They also try to imitate his love and sacrifice to become one with the Lord.

An old song says that love is many splendid things, and so is the Eucharist. The Eucharist is the expression of Jesus’ love for us. “The Eucharist is the whole of the Bible in one substance so that we could have it all in one mouthful” (Paul Claudel). Thus, there is nothing more important in the world than the Eucharist.  

We take part in the Eucharist, knowing fully how Jesus gave his life for us and for all. May we also love God and others by giving our lives to God and to one another! Most of all, let us give thanks to God because in receiving communion, we receive God’s love, forgiveness, and eternal life. Amen.
 
Fr. Paul D. Lee