Be Witnesses of the Eucharist

07-28-2024Weekly ReflectionFr. Bing Colasito

I just returned from the 10th National Eucharistic Congress NEC in Indianapolis, IN. Every day of the NEC was a moment of grace; the experiences, testimonies, and teachings about the Eucharist could transform the world if taken with great love, devotion, and adoration of the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ. Bishop Robert Baron said that if there is one commandment we Catholics have consistently followed: Do this in memory of Me. Jesus says: This is my Body This is my Blood; He is God from God, light from light, true God from true God, is the theology of the Church, the theology of the Real Presence. Jesus says: This is my BODY given up for us. And this is my BLOOD shed for us. What becomes truly present is His Body given, and His Blood poured out, and we consumed the Eucharist and become what we eat confirmed unto love unto death.

The Eucharist reminds us that our Christianity is not for us, meaning it does not stop with us but is a Christianity for the world. We eat the body and drink the blood offered to the world. The Eucharist is not for us as a private possession but a means to conform us to Christ, who gives His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity to the world. The Second Vatical Council affirms this in Lumen Gentium LG # 10: The Priest, in persona Christi, makes present the Eucharistic Sacrifice and offers it to God in the name of the people. But the faithful, in virtue of their royal priesthood, join in the offering of the Eucharist.

Three Lessons we learn from this Gospel:

1. The people are hungry both for material and spiritual food. The crowds followed Jesus and His disciples wherever they went because they saw in Jesus someone who could nourish their body and soul.
2. The seemingly impossible situation of feeding the crowds moved a little boy to offer his provisions. It takes a small act of faith to bring the miracle of multiplication. As St. Mother Theresa says: It was just a drop in the ocean but faith saved the day. It is better to light one little candle than curse the darkness of the situation. The boy provided a ray of hope amid helplessness and despair.
3. God multiplies the little that we surrender to Him into abundance when it passes the hands of Jesus. Jesus takes the little we offer, blesses it, and gives it back to the people. God did not allow the people of Israel to die of hunger in the desert. He will continue to feed His people through His Son. Thus, in the Gospel, Jesus satisfies their hunger and nourishes them beyond their needs.

None of us can ever duplicate the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and the fish that feeds five thousand. The Miracles of Jesus are signs pointing to a deeper reality of who He is and how much He cares for the people. The people are amazed at the signs and wonders they focused on the Miracle of Multiplication while forgetting the more essential activities of His love and concern for the hungry people. In the same way, faith is not so much about the multiplication of prayers and devotions but about the imitation of loving care and the compassionate heart of Jesus. Do we strive to imitate the Sacred Heart of Jesus?

What is our takeout on the miracle of the Multiplication of Bread? For me, among the profound meaning of the miracle is the longing of our Lord for the Church, His Body on earth to be the Bread of Life for one another and the world. If we multiply our love, we multiply the miracles of Jesus' love. We are the light of the world: Set our lamp on the lamp stand, where it gives light to all in the house. We are the salt of the earth. People do not enjoy salt but enjoy what is salted. That is why we do not exist for ourselves.

Finally, let us not forget the generosity of the boy. And pray to say: Lord, teach us to be generous by not counting the cost and not being worried about the outcome. Amen