*On the Eucharist: Thoughts from the Pew (20)* *The “Ite Missa est” Trilogy* PART 3

Consider how knowledge has developed through the multiplicity of words in our days. For instance, when we perform a task on computer by typing on the keyboard, we copy these words simply by selecting them and pressing ‘Ctrl+C’, and with a ‘CTRL+V’, we can paste an infinite copy of the same words, thus we achieve a massive economy of scale through this means. 

Multiply this simple method and we understand how the development of codes, software and the multiplicity of various forms of knowledge through these means have built the present economy and civilisation. This method of multiplication out of little efforts is what makes Bill Gates and everyone who applies them, rich and successful. 

But this, in a more magnificent form, is also the science behind the Eucharist, behind the multiplicity of Bread (Jn: 6), behind Mass and the actions of Calvary. This is what He sought to achieve by entering our hearts in Communion. He is our task and leverage. He purifies our minds and frees us from the ‘scarcity mentality’ that enslaves us and changes our perception unto that of an ‘abundance mentality’. 

The Study of Economics is based on the concept of Scarcity. The Eucharist, on the other hand thrives upon the ‘abundance’ concept. The two do not meet, or rather, they meet in Mary, where ‘scarcity’ is swallowed up by ‘abundance’.

Just like one who does an initial heavy task of typing words on the computer before copying them, Christ had completed the initial Eucharistic work on Calvary, what we who are His ambassadors do, from the ‘Ite Missal Est’ on (2 Cor 5: 20), is the little job of copying and pasting what has already been achieved through faithfulness and thankfulness in our daily duties. 

This Word has been made flesh and has given Himself for us in the Eucharist at Mass, we have become the copied and pasted Words as we eat Him, and as such this concept of multiplicity shall grow more and more the more the Eucharist, which originates from the heart of Christ, is understood and multiplied; but only if we do not get stuck with the love of money accompanying this progress. This petrifies the heart, do not fall for it.

After all that is said and done, we confess: A faithful attendance at the Eucharistic table constitutes the greatest work to be done on earth, every other thing happens as a corollary of this work at Mass (Jn 6: 27). This is how we ‘take away the sins of the world’ (Jn 1: 29) and multiply the world’s good (Jn 6: 1 -15) through him, with Him and in Him.

*On the Eucharist: Thoughts from the Pew (20)* *The “Ite Missa est” Trilogy* PART 2

The Eucharist is the Incarnated word, the scripture which we have all become is the judgement of the world, and it begins from us who are the household of His Spirit (1 Pet 4: 17). 

But, this judgement is not a negative one, it is a verb, it is work, it is love and it is entirely immersed in His mercy. We only experience this work, either as a judgement than of mercy, in proportion to our lack of faith and humility, than of the reality of our sins and insufficiency.

This judgement or mercy -as the case may be- happens this way: once we receive Him - in awareness or not - we become like a Sink (that beautifully analysed in the study of Thermodynamics) , a dumping space for the world’s garbage. Or, like dipped towels that absorb water, we acquire the capacity to cure the world’s ill by absorbing them, so doing making up ‘what is lacking in His suffering’ through this absorption (Col 1: 24). 

Unlike Thermodynamics Sinks, we go beyond converting and recycling our sins and the sins of the entire world. By faithfully fulfilling our daily duties, we develop the means - through Him, with Him and in Him- to expiate all sins committed, to purify every good badly done and to supply for enormous works omitted out of neglects. Welcome to Redemption where nothing is wasted. What wonders we shall see on judgement day, when those who do next to nothing are awarded an ultimate glory!

   

While the Eucharist does not eliminate the trials of life, it mitigates and leverages their negative effects through the merits of Christ’s sufferings. Whatever we may be going through now could have been worse without the Eucharistic effect . How would we have handled it, we who dread the present grave circumstances? 

He says: ‘'Come to Me all you who labour and are overburdened and I will give you rest'(Mt 11: 28). That statement finds an ultimate truth within the Eucharistic livelihood .

*On the Eucharist: Thoughts from the Pew (20)* *The “Ite Missa est” Trilogy* PART 1

If Albert Einstein’s thought on Relativity and Isaac Newton’s formula of Gravity, can provoke such a change of an entire civilization, then, affirming that a holy and faithful reception of the Eucharist achieves so much more in fostering the world’s goodness, would not be a frivolous statement of piety, but a perfect fact about the reality of progress.

Eucharist is the actual source of all the positivity that we see, yet we study with admiration the Einstein and Newton’s wonders, and forget that we who receive Christ in the Eucharist are the actual protagonists of civilisation. 

But, how are we sure that all these Eucharistic ponderations are not figments of our imaginations? The answer lies in an unselfish verification of their effects. Like the Disciples at Gethsemane, we are often asleep and do not perceive in us and in the world, the unbelievable Eucharistic consequences of Ite missa est. The gusto of life as an awakening is in the verification of these Eucharistic actions in our daily activities.

With a humble attentiveness and a holy perseverance, we can perceive the growing effect of the Eucharistic authenticity in our lives and in the world. It was not a day that we and our ancestors create the present mess, to presume that within this realm of existence, the resolution of them would take a day, is an illusion begging for forgiveness. A God who has not come to abolish the law, but, with grace and mercy, has come to complete them, works on everyone uniquely within the confine of their space and time. Blessed is he who can wait and see.

God’s work of recreation goes on. Do not dwell on the spectacular, an attentiveness and perception of little things is what produces a multiplication of thanksgiving, the origin of a multitude of blessings. Take nothing for granted, His work continues in us, sharp and prompt but, gentle as silence; directing our plights, perfecting our actions, warding us from every evil and inspiring every little motives and actions of ours. 

 

Let us perceive His actions (Jn 10: 38) in little things, such as, a reduced frequency of our losing things, serendipity, just in time experiences, meeting important appointments. He conquers massive evils by giving victories in little things. 

Gradually, He reduces our fears and develops in us a humble and authentic confidence. As in the process of metamorphosis, our fallen natures are gradually flayed and made to give way to the freedom of the Spirit, where we grow from glory unto glory (2 Cor 3: 18).

Slowly but surely, amidst the ‘flip-flop’ of life, we shall perceive the orderliness of our lives, even amidst trials, sins and inconsistencies; we shall gradually develop the capacity to accept the things that we cannot change, build the courage to change the things that we can change, and receive the clarity and wisdom of perceiving the difference between these two.

‘Ite Missa est’, “go forth. Go in peace to love and serve the Lord”. The Liturgy becomes ours, the Eucharistic baton is passed unto us. The church becomes for us, not simply a building along the high street, but a manifested source, where we experience the continuation of the liturgy, in us, and in the whole universe, within the uniqueness of our being. 

Resurrection then becomes a positive ad infinitum.