Reflection on the Holy Eucharist

I celebrate the mass with all my heart, mind and soul. As the Liturgy of the Eucharist begins, I close my eyes to allow my soul to more fully enter into the mystery. During the offertory, I give my life to Jesus through Mary. Mary presents me at the altar along with the bread and wine. The priest begins to pray over the gifts. He prays to our Father, “Take these gifts; make them Holy so that they may become the Body and Blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ.” I become deeply aware of how those words have just been prayed over me and over all who offer their lives in the service of Our Lord and the Blessed Mother.

I am drawn into the mystery of the Eucharist not just as an observer, but as a participant. As the priest prays the words of Jesus, “Take and eat…, Take and drink…” the Holy Spirit hovers over the bread and wine; a miracle occurs; they become the Body and Blood of Jesus. I realize that I am a part of that miracle. In this offering of myself and in the miracle of the Holy Eucharist, I am touched by God; through grace, I am transformed. 

With the eyes of my soul, I witness in the Eucharist the transformation of the bread and wine. Yet a more personal miracle has also occurred; I witness the transformation of my very own soul. And I witness the transformation of the entire people whom God has gathered unto himself who celebrate this mystery in unity as the one Body and Blood of Jesus. In the Eucharist, we receive the Body and Blood of Jesus, yet at the same time, we are the Body and Blood of Jesus. 

Jesus offers himself as a sacrifice for our sins. As His Body and Blood, we too are offered as a sacrifice for the sins of the world. We are privileged to offer ourselves in service to God among our fellow man as Jesus offered himself as teacher and sacrificial lamb while he walked among us. As Jesus once did, we walk among the people offering Jesus and ourselves to all proclaiming the good news, “accept the gifts of Jesus and rejoice in the salvation of the world!” Through the miracle of the Holy Eucharist, God completes us as we live in Jesus and for Jesus and Jesus in us. 

©Bernadette Harmon, 2005

I am but a piece of stone, carved by the loving hand of my creator. My sculpted self, kneeling, head bowed before God, is weathered and worn; dust falling to the ground. I am riddled with fractures and fissures, each representing the flaws and weaknesses of my sinful nature. Each time I sin, the fissures deepen and widen, literally tearing me apart; I fall as dust to the earth.

But, I have been blessed. Mary, my Mother, gathers my broken body and comforts me. She wraps her arms around me to hold me together. As I confess my sins to my Father and invite the Holy Spirit to lead me home through repentance and penance, the fire of His Holiness and the brilliant light of God fill each fissure. His light and love are the glue that binds me, making me whole. The fissures never go away, but with each confession they bind more firmly, strengthening my foundation in Christ.

I am truly worthless in the sight of God. I am dust. Oh! Wonder of wonders! That God would see fit to gather the dust and create in me a life for His glory. And each time I crumble and return to dust; that He would breathe new life into me, allowing me to continue glorifying and praising Him. I do not despair. Rather, I am in awe of His majesty, compassion and love. I desire only to fulfill my duties to the glory of His Name.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

©Bernadette Harmon, 2013