|
Year of the
Eucharist is drawing to a close
PRAISED BE JESUS
CHRIST!
(Now and Forever)
The Year of the Eucharist inaugurated by Pope John Paul II on Oct. 17,
2004, is about to come to a close. Fundamentally a parish-based
observance in our Local Church, there will be a grand diocesan
celebration with Mass, adoration and Eucharistic procession at St.
Alphonsus Parish in Zionsville on Sunday, Oct. 16. It is hoped all
parishes will be represented.
The goal posts of the Year of the Eucharist, as you may remember, have
been the 48th International Eucharistic Congress, which was held in
Guadalajara, Mexico, last October, and the upcoming 11th ordinary
assembly of the Synod of Bishops, which will take place in Rome Oct.
2-23.
Roman synods were initiated by Pope Paul VI as an exercise in the
collegiality called for by the Second Vatican Council. These synods
involve bishops chosen by their peers in the various episcopal
conferences around the world. The delegation from the United States this
year is comprised of Bishop William Skylstad of Spokane, president of
the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops; Archbishop Wilton
Gregory of Atlanta, immediate past president of the USCCB; Cardinal
Justin Rigali, archbishop of Philadelphia; and Bishop Donald Wuerl of
Pittsburgh. Two alternates were also chosen: Bishop Donald Trautman of
Erie, Pa., and Bishop Blase Cupich of Rapid City, S.D.
The working paper (“Instrumentum Laboris”) for the synod was
released on July 7. It is a result of input received from individual
bishops on the theme of the synod: “The Eucharist: Source and Summit of
the Life and Mission of the Church.”
The goal of the synod is for those called to Rome to brainstorm with the
Holy Father about how the Eucharist might be celebrated with more
dignity; how the Lord in the Eucharist might be adored with greater
devotion; and how the bond of unity and communion among those who are
nourished by the Lord’s Body and Blood might be strengthened. The
“working paper” offers both doctrinal and pastoral information which
hopefully has promoted reflection and discussion prior to the opening of
the synod and which will assist the synod participants in their
interventions and exchanges in the synod hall.
It should be no surprise that bishops express concern about fidelity to
Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation. Fidelity to Mass has
suffered erosion around the world. The “working paper” emphasizes that
intensive catechesis is needed on the importance and the obligation of
participation in Mass, particularly among the young. I took special note
of these words: “People ought clearly to be taught that entering into
the mystery of the Eucharist de-pends on the liturgical celebration
which is done with dignity, due preparation and, above all, faith in the
mystery of itself.” The “working paper” goes on to quote John Paul II in
his encyclical letter Redemptoris Missio where he points to the
two sources of negative impact on Catholics: secularism and religious
relativism.
I liked this input: “Without Sunday Mass and an encounter with the Lord,
faith remains without nourishment. God’s word receives no hearing nor is
the communal dimension of the Church lived. For many, the only contact
with the Church is Sunday Mass; their faith depends on this moment in
their lives. Missing Sunday Mass generally leads to missing Christ in
life.”
Considerable space is given to the conversion necessary for receiving
the Eucharist. It notes: “Where many faithful know that they cannot
receive Communion in mortal sin, they do not have a clear idea of what
constitutes mortal sin.” It adds: “Thought needs to be given to the
greater disproportion between the many who receive holy Communion and
the few who go to confession. The faithful frequently receive holy
Communion without even thinking that they might be in the state of
mortal sin. As a result, the receiving of holy Communion by those who
are divorced and civilly remarried is a common occurrence … many receive
holy Communion out of the generally held mistaken conviction that a
person cannot participate at Mass without receiving holy Communion.”
Some apparently are urging that thematic homilies (common prior to the
Second Vatican Council) would serve the faith community well. It
suggests that time might be given to reflection on the Creed, the Our
Father, the parts of the Mass, the Ten Commandments, etc. When I was
ordained, sermons were catechetical instructions.
It is not unusual to arrive for Mass to find a space full of vocal
people interacting as if they were anticipating the beginning of a
concert. Unheard of just a few years ago, the rationale leading to this
practice is that a person needs to be reconciled with his brother/sister
before placing his/her gift on the altar. So, people spend time
“visiting” prior to Mass. It is a beautiful thought. I note, however,
that the “working paper” for the synod speaks of the importance of
respect and reverence for the Eucharist and suggests that proper
preparation and prayer in silence before the celebration of Mass is an
important part of that respect and reverence. This reflects the
directive of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal on silence
(45).
The document underscores current Catholic teaching which holds that the
Eucharist is a profession of faith in the teaching and discipline of the
Catholic Church and therefore is not to be used as a means to bring
about unification. With this as a given, it will be interesting to see
what, if anything, comes of a suggestion that when non-Catholics are
present for Mass, the celebrant invite them to approach the altar not to
receive holy Communion, but to be given a blessing.
I found this statement quite moving: “In the Eucharistic liturgy, God
reveals himself but also remains hidden so as to stimulate the
believer’s reason and understanding to seek him constantly and to find
him in everyday life.”
For me, the need to meditate on the great gift of the Eucharist is
captured in these words: “The Risen Lord is present in his Church in
various ways, but he is present in a particularly unique way in the
sacrament of the Eucharist. Through the words of consecration and the
grace of the Holy Spirit, the bread and wine become the Body and Blood
of Jesus Christ for the praise and glory of God the Father. This
inestimable gift and great mystery were realized at the Last Supper with
the express command of the Lord Jesus, ‘do this in remembrance of me,’
the sacrament passes down to us through the apostles and their
successors.”
How can anyone be casual with the Eucharist or indifferent in receiving
holy Communion or lax in fidelity to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass if
we truly believe this?
The synod will last approximately three weeks. The Holy Father, if
precedent is maintained, will take the various suggestions submitted
during the synod under advisement and issue a post-synodal apostolic
exhortation. Those exhortations offer a good picture of the worldwide
challenges to people of faith and proposed responses.
I urge you to pray for the success of the synod. The delegates from the
United States in particular will appreciate the benefit of your prayers.
We must, as a faith community, rediscover the beauty of the Eucharist as
the sacrifice, memorial and banquet of Jesus Christ, the Savior and
Redeemer of the world. |
