Eucharist as Pledge

 

     Last week we meditated on the Eucharist as memorial of the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus, a memorial which makes present here today what happened two thousand years ago on Calvary.

     This week let us examine how the Eucharist is a pledge of our future heavenly glory, and enables us to anticipate that future glory in the present. At the Last Supper Jesus told His disciples that “I shall not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s Kingdom.” (Mt.26:29)

     So each time we celebrate the Eucharist we look forward to participating in that heavenly banquet. In the words of the Eucharistic Prayer III, we are “ready to greet Him (Christ) when He comes again.”

 
     Of course the Lord does come here and now and is in our midst in His Eucharist. But the Lord’s presence, though real, is sacramental, that is, veiled. So even as we rejoice in our risen Lord’s presence in the Eucharist we look forward to the day when we shall see Him face to face and every tear will be wiped away.

     So the Eucharist is the Lord’s pledge or promise to us that we shall live for ever with Him. It is also the means to that resurrected life: “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him (or her) on the last day.” (Jn. 6:54)

                                                                                   Msgr. David Lockard

 

 

Quote for Thought: “Take the Time”
     Take the time to work - that is the price of success.
     Take the time to think - that is the source of power.
     Take the time to play - that is the secret of eternal youth.
     Take the time to read - that is the road to wisdom.
     Take the time to be friendly - that is the road to happiness.
     Take the time to dream - it moves your vessel toward a star.
     Take the time to laugh - that is music for the soul.

                                                                   - Irish Blessing