In what way have you come to know Jesus better through the breaking of the bread at Eucharist?
by Mary Sellars MalloyWhere have you recognized Jesus present with you in recent days? A chance invitation to a fall concert led my husband and me to join our community chorus, where we are once again singing Bach, Handel, Mozart, and other works that challenge and engage us. We feel Jesus present in the choir, which is directed by a faith-filled and extremely talented woman who is welcoming and inspiring. And, although the coronavirus pandemic forced the cancel of recent rehearsals and a spring concert, we look forward to being together with this community once again.
In today’s Gospel (Luke 24:13-35), the disciples recognize Jesus in the breaking of the bread. This Bread of Life we know as the Eucharist, the Real Presence of Jesus, has many names. In the Church’s Litany of the Holy Eucharist, Jesus is named as the bread of heaven, the bread of life, the bread of thanksgiving, life-giving bread, holy manna, new covenant, food for everlasting life, food for our journey, holy banquet, medicine of immortality, and pledge of eternal glory.
As I grow older, my own understanding and appreciation of the Eucharist is as life-giving bread and food for our journey. Especially during the recent cancellation of masses, I have come to realize more and more my hunger for the Word, the Eucharist, and the company of those in my parish community. When we are together to celebrate, as I process to the Table of the Eucharist, and even now that we are apart from each other for a time, I pray for the people who are normally in procession with me. I pray that their hungers will be satisfied and their wounds will be healed. I pray that all of us are strengthened to keep moving forward to the kingdom, knowing that we are loved by God and that we are never alone on the road.
This week, whether or not you are able to physically join your parish community for the celebration of the Eucharist, take time to think about your own understanding and appreciation of it. Pray to Jesus using one of the titles from the Litany of the Holy Eucharist. And be mindful of the many ways Jesus truly is present to you.
Mary Sellars Malloy has over forty years’ experience as a Catholic educator and lay minister. She is a frequent workshop presenter on the topics of prayer, liturgy, spirituality, the Sacraments, and the RCIA. In addition, Mary leads retreats and parish missions throughout the country. Her goal is to encourage Catholics of all ages to appreciate and to live their Catholic faith.