April 5, 2007

Holy Thursday

Tonight we celebrate the institution of the Eucharist, the sacrament at the center of our lives.

The Lord says, "Take, and eat. This is my body, which is broken for you."

Our bodies are going to break. We will get sick and die. God saves us from death, but not from dying. So since we are doomed to breakdown anyway, we may as well break our bodies in service and sacrifice to one another. That's the life of Communion, of the Eucharist.

The Lord says, "Take, and drink. This is the cup of my blood, poured out so that sins may be forgiven."

Our hearts will break too. It's inevitable if we allow ourselves to notice the suffering of the world, and the especially the suffering we bring upon those we love. You can do one of two things with your broken heart. You can get bitter, or you can let the brokenness turn into openness, and end up with a heart broken open to a hurting world. That's learning gentleness and forgiveness, of imitating Jesus by pouring out our own blood for the forgiveness of sins.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Br Charles I read your blog almost daily. May God bless you for the spiritual food that you offer us.

I will link your post to my blog.

Brother Charles said...

Thanks Paula, as always, for your support. I will try to keep posting through the Triduum, but access is sometimes a little sketchy at the parish up north where I work. Have a great Easter!

Anonymous said...

Have a beautiful Easter dear Brother.:-)