The Food of Love

Third Sunday of Easter, Year C                                                                                 May 5, 2019
Fr. Albert                                                                                St. John the Evangelist, Jeanerette

“Feed my lambs.” This weekend is first communion for the children in our parish. For the first time, 9 little lambs of are given something to eat by their Lord and Shepherd, Jesus Christ. Through his Church and the hands of his priests, Jesus continues to feed his people with something much better than bread and fish. As the children will tell you, this is no ordinary bread.

Yes, it’s a joyful occasion for the children and their families, but it’s also a great occasion for us to renew our own love of the Eucharist. How long ago did you first receive holy communion? How many times have you received it since then? How many of those were worthy and devout; how many careless and unprepared?

Notice the order of the questions and commands when Jesus talks to Peter. He starts with, “feed my lambs,” which means to nourish the young ones, those new in their faith and those new in their life. But, he does not immediately go to feeding the sheep, he first tells Peter to “tend” or “shepherd” the sheep. Why put shepherding before feeding? Is there really much difference between the two?

Of course they are connected – a shepherd makes sure the sheep are fed, but there is an important difference between them. Shepherding sheep includes leading them, protecting them, and when necessary, correcting them for wandering away from the flock or harming other sheep. So, I hope you’re not offended that I want to teach you more about the Eucharist and, yes, even offer some corrections before I go on to feed you with this precious food.

In 2010, researchers found that as much as 50- 60% of Catholics thought the Eucharist was just a symbol. That is depressing because the Eucharist is one of the defining beliefs of being a Catholic. After consecration, the bread and wine is no longer bread and wine. It is literally the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ.

Yes, it defies physics. Normally, there is no difference in the taste or smell or appearance. Sometimes, however, God chooses to make the change visible. In 2013, on Christmas day in Legnica, Poland, a host was dropped on the ground during communion. It was picked up and placed in water. That’s when it began to bleed. Tests revealed that the host was now heart tissue. Biologically, the heart tissue looked the same way a heart looks after a person is tortured.

In 2006 in Tixtla, Mexico a host started to bleed right before communion started. Tests revealed an AB blood type, matching the blood from the Shroud of Turin – Jesus’ burial cloth. Even weirder was that the blood seemed to stay fresh long after it should have dried up.

There are hundreds of similar stories around the world throughout history. God sometimes does this to confirm our belief so that we can remember this change is real every time we celebrate Mass. Every crumb, every drop is the real body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ. It is an invisible change to the hidden substance of the bread and wine, an ongoing miracle that only faith can accept and it is central to the Catholic faith that we accept this.

When something really matters to us, it affects what we do, not just what we say. The way we treat the Eucharist says so much about us. When it’s important, paying attention to the little details is not being nitpicky, it is a sign of sincerity and consistency. In other words, caring about the little details can very much be a sign of great love.

Notice how I very carefully clean every vessel after communion, how I make sure that not a single crumb or drop ends up on the floor. There is a specific way to fold the cloth on the altar so that no crumbs fly out. There is a specific way to wash the cloths because they have touched the body and blood of Jesus. We don’t keep the Eucharist in Tupperware. The vessels are made of gold, silver, and other quality materials out of reverence for what they contain. None of this is my decision. It is the tradition of the Church. Jesus gives us the Eucharist through the Church and that same Church teaches us how to receive it well. Do you truly receive it well? Let’s recall how to receive.

First, we have to be prepared. Are you free of mortal sin? Do you focus your mind on the importance of the Mass in general and this moment in particular? Or is it just thoughtless habit? When you approach communion, you should bow or genuflect while the person in front of you receives. The custom is to receive standing up, but everyone has the right to kneel down if they want. Do what you prefer; don’t judge others. When the minister says, “the Body of Christ” the response is “Amen,” not “thank you,” not “I believe.” “Amen.” This has layers of meaning; it connects us back to our ancestors in the faith.

Then, be careful to avoid any particles falling to the ground. Please do not snatch it like a cracker, crunch it in your hand, and then absent-mindedly wipe your hand off, throwing the body of Christ onto the ground. If you receive in your hand, do not wave it around, do not make the sign of the cross with the host, do not fling it with one hand into your mouth. The proper way is to make a throne with both hands and then place it directly in your mouth. Then, check your palm for any fragments. It’s not really appropriate to receive with one hand. There shouldn’t be anything in your hands. If you have gloves on, or dirty hands, or your arms are full, then please receive on the tongue.

Receiving on the tongue is still allowed. It’s what I prefer to do when I’m not the celebrant of the Mass. I also find it to be the safest way to avoid the Eucharist falling to the ground or being stolen. To receive on the tongue, just say “amen,” open your mouth, stick your tongue out and wait for the minister to place it there. After receiving on the tongue or in the hand, thank God for this gift and pray while he lives in you.

Please renew your devotion to this precious sacrament. Learn from our first communicants and strive to be a good example for them and those who have yet to receive. I know covering the rules wasn’t exciting, but it is a very practical and real-world way to express love for Jesus. Jesus asks, “do you love me?” Every time you come to Mass, even if you don’t receive, you can answer that by how you treat the Eucharist.