How does the Eucharist commit us to the poor?
Catechism Meditation:
The Eucharist commits us to the poor. To receive in truth the Body and Blood of Christ given up for us, we must recognize Christ in the poorest, his brethren: You have tasted the Blood of the Lord, yet you do not recognize your brother,. . . . You dishonor this table when you do not judge worthy of sharing your food someone judged worthy to take part in this meal. . . . God freed you from all your sins and invited you here, but you have not become more merciful. ―No. 1397
REFLECTION: The Eucharist helps us recognize the face of Christ in everyone and, most especially, in our poor and marginalized brothers and sisters, wherever and whoever they may be. When we read in Matthew 25:40, “Just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me,” the passage does not use metaphorical language (“it is as if you had done it to me”), but a plain and direct sentence. Encountering Christ cannot happen if one ignores the poor, those who suffer, those who are disadvantaged, those who are vulnerable, and those who are wounded.
At the Last Supper, especially in the washing of the feet narrated in John’s Gospel, Jesus wanted to show His apostles — and us — that living true ‘Eucharistic lives’ means precisely living lives of service to others, especially those in greatest need: “You call me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. If I, then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you” (Jn 13:13-15).
We are called to renew the commitment to take an active part in Mass on the Lord’s Day, and to live a Eucharistic life. The Eucharist is not a prize for those who are perfect. It is the food of those who are weak but want to be strengthened by God’s grace. We approach the Eucharist not with a selfish desire to receive our reward, but with a spirit of generosity and willingness to commit to solidarity with the poor and marginalized, and to be a visible sign of mercy, of love, and of justice.
PRAYER. Heavenly Father, we pray to be inspired by Jesus’ gift of the Eucharist to live in a “eucharistic” manner.
Timeless Wisdom Quote:
“Show me your hands. Have you a scar from giving? A scar of sacrificing yourself for another? Show me your feet. Have you gone about doing good? Were you wounded in service? Show me your heart. Have you left a place for divine love?” ― Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen