38. A Functional Sacrament

After the fracturing, the priest holds the elements up and invites those properly disposed to come forward for communion. The loss of the family meal makes it more difficult to appreciate what is going on here. First, God is telling us that this is the closest of unions possible. It is done not that we might change him into us, but that he might change us into him. It is a sign of unity, charity, forgiveness, and the Church. Inspired by the Book of Revelation, the priest prays, "Happy are those who are called to his supper." The poor need this meal for nourishment. In the early Church, this would have been both on a spiritual and on a physical level. It is a cause for rejoicing. Today, we often communicate dysfunctionally. We frequently do not sit down to talk and to support one another at meals. Nevertheless, this is representative of the ideal and virtues being expressed by communion with the Lord. Communion takes away the slight or venial sins that separate us. The priest prays, "Let it not bring me condemnation, but health in mind and body." The Lord who is present in this sacrament can bring well-being to us. In sites of pilgrimage like Fatima and Lourdes, it is interesting that most healings take place during processions of the Blessed Sacrament. We ask for healing, both spiritual and physical. We cannot be Christians without Christ. This sounds obvious, but a great many people live otherwise. They starve themselves from the Eucharist and they supplant their own whimsical opinions for the Word of God. This food, the bread of life and the cup of salvation, is to nourish and aid us. Jesus beseeches us: "Come to me, all you who are weary and find life burdensome, and I will refresh you. Take my yoke upon your shoulders and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart. Your souls will find rest, for my yoke is easy and my burden light" (see Matthew 11:25-30. Communion is our response to this offer. In times of need, sadness, joy, and ordinary living, we are called to him. Communion is a FUNCTIONAL sacrament. At the Last Supper, the Lord put a towel around his waist and washed the feet of the apostles. What he was trying to say was that this sacrament was for your service to other people. Through his strength and grace, we might come to others. It enables us to do what the Lord did in his earthly life.