Homilies

THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER: RECOGNIZING THE RISEN CHRIST IN THE EUCHARIST

IT APPEARS THAT even when Christ had risen from the dead, the truth of his resurrection has not sunk in yet on the part of his disciples. For the disciples, Christ’s resurrection was not real. Thus, Christ tried to find ways on how the disciples could understand the event. The link between the earthly Jesus and the risen Christ can be found in the “breaking of the bread.” Through this, the disciples were able to recognize him. Likewise, Jesus opened their minds in understanding what the Scriptures has said about him.

Let us try to reflect upon the theme on recognition because this also appears as a problem to modern-day believers. Some Christians do not find meaning in what they practice in the Church because it is not clear to them what these religious practices mean. For instance, going to Church on Sundays could not be seen as something meaningful because it is monotonous, repetitious, and predictable. I remember one lady who made a remark, “Why do I need to go to the Mass every Sunday, when rites are all the same, and even homilies of the priest are the same?” There could be no meaning in these practices because Christ has been hardly recognized in the liturgical celebration.

The Holy Eucharist is very dear to us, Catholics, because, in this sacrament, we experience the “real presence” of Christ through his sacred body and blood. But our common problem is one of recognition. Thus, the important question here is: What do we need so that we could recognize Christ in this sacrament?

First, we need to be heedful and reflective on the Word of God. Remember that the disciples had a hard time figuring out the resurrection of Christ. Consequently, Christ has “opened their minds” to understand the Scriptures. The Word of God has been with them but, they failed in understanding it. I would say that our present problem in relation to the Word concerns our attitude. Most of us, modern people, don’t have the ability to listen to others who need to be listened to, and this sort of attitude affects our relationship to the Word of God. We don’t care to listen to it.

Another problem could be that the Word of God does not appear to us as something appealing. Instead, it appears as a kind of “other-worldly.” There are matters in this world that we want to listen and there are also we hate to listen. For example, we love to listen to new ideas, new technologies… but we hate to listen to personal and family problems. In the same way, the Word of God is not appealing because often it brings discomfort when it hits us.  But this is the nature of the Word. In it, Christ tells us the truth, and in fact, He is the Truth. The disciples were unable to recognize Christ in the Scriptures. Perhaps, they failed in heedfully listening and reflecting upon it. Thus, we need to realize that Christ is in the Scriptures. In fact, He is the Word, the Word of God made flesh. If we want to know more about him, we need to read or listen to the Word of God.

Second, we need to be sensitive to the signs we see in the liturgy. Remember, the risen Christ was never instantly recognized by his disciples, but as soon as He “broke the bread,” there the disciples came to recognize Him. Moreover, he asked “have you anything to eat” to show to them that He was the Jesus whom they have been with, the Jesus who loved to eat with them and with the known public sinners. It was through this action or sign that the disciples came to recognize Jesus. The action of Jesus was indeed powerful. This could be the redeeming moment of the disciples. Yes, they failed to understand the Scriptures, but they have clearly recognized Him in the breaking of the bread.

Now, as soon as we go in a Church for a public liturgy, we need to be aware that we are entering into the “world of signs.” Therefore, we must be attentive to the gestures, actions, language, and prayers which are part and parcel of the liturgy. Like for instance, if we listen attentively to the prayer to the Holy Spirit which transforms the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ, then we can easily recognize Christ there. This is the meaning of the “real presence” of Christ. This is something that we could not find in the liturgy of some other Christian denominations. This is something that we, Catholics, treasure. If we have the awareness and the recognition, then the Holy Eucharist would become even more meaningful in our lives. It is something we always look forward to. It is something that we cannot afford to miss every week, or even every day, because we feel and experience the presence of the risen Christ.

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