34. The Sun Always Shines Somewhere

Even at night, the sun always shines somewhere. We seek out the sun. No longer by sight, but by faith, we seek out that one act of Christ that remains sufficient unto itself. Astronomers tell us, that in some cases, the light from various stars has traveled for millions of years to reach us. This being true, cannot the radiance from the star of Bethlehem illumine our souls? Similarly, we look upon the flame of a candle. From moment to moment the fire renews itself, and yet, it is the same flame. The light of Christ that was set ablaze two thousand years ago still burns as brightly. The Mass is not just a mental recollection of Calvary. It is here that our crucified and risen Lord is truly made present. Spiritually, which denotes invisibly but not in terms of pretense, the PARTICULAR and UNREPEATABLE past event of Calvary is MADE PRESENT or accessible to us as we COMMEMORATE it in sacred SYMBOLS. Time and space have no power to hold him or his action. We need to apply this action to ourselves. We are with Mary and John at the Cross. What our bodily eyes fail to see, we view with eyes of faith.

Because Jesus has made a perfect and acceptable sacrifice to the Father, despite our sinfulness, the offerings we make are no longer unacceptable. Offered with Christ's sacrifice, our offering of ourselves is received by God. Yes, our offering is imperfect. However, linked to Christ, our meagerness is over-shadowed by his greatness. Our imperfection is cloaked by his perfection.

We are not just putting in time. Christ is acting upon the altar as he did at Calvary and at the Last Supper. We see all the elements of those historical scenes. That is one of the secrets of the Mass. It is a sacrifice, a becoming one with Christ, sharing his disposition. Externally, it looks like the sign of death is present, the [sacramental] separation of the body and blood. Divide us in such a way and we are dead. However, we have to look closer. What is it saying to us? Later, in the commingling of a piece of the host into the consecrated cup, it will signify the resurrection. Wherever one element is, so is the other. No matter whether we receive the sign which immediately calls to mind the body or that which signifies the blood, we receive the whole Christ. Sometimes we might receive both the host and the cup, a more perfect sign for sure, but for many reasons not always done. Those allergic to bread, remember its accidents remain the same, might have to receive only from the cup. A similar exclusion is faced by alcoholics in regard to the chalice. Again, no matter which you receive, you receive the complete Christ. For sure he is the victim of the sacrifice, but he is alive and complete. Living in this mysterious fashion, he cannot be dissected upon the altar.