Ask Deacon Mike

I would like to continue our reflection on the Eucharist by looking at the term Eucharistic Assembly. What does this mean? How does it involve us? What is our response? According to article 1329 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church we are called to be a Eucharistic Assembly because the Eucharist is celebrated amid the assembly of the faithful, the visible expression of the Church.

There have been many definitions of the Church developed over time. My favorite comes from the late US theologian, Cardinal Avery Dulles, who referred to the Church as the people of God. It is the collection of individual members that makes up the Church. That is why the Catechism calls the assembly of the faithful the visible expression of the Church.

One of the best statements on the Church as a Eucharistic Assembly comes from St. Paul in his 1^st Letter to the Corinthians. Paul received reports that people were gathering in individual homes (they did not have churches then and they could not go to the synagogue for Eucharis) to party more than pray. The net result was that some were eating and drinking in excess while poorer members received nothing. Paul clearly condemns this sacrilege for it abuses the very nature of communal worship, coming together as one people to celebrate their union with God and each other. When you meet in one place, then, it is not to eat the Lord's supper, for in eating, each one goes ahead with his own supper, and one goes hungry while another gets drunk. Do you not have houses in which you can eat and drink? Or do you show contempt for the church of God and make those who have nothing feel ashamed? (1 Cor. 11:20-22) What Paul is telling us is that the community should gather to celebrate the Lord’s Supper not some banquet where people over eat and over drink.

In true and open worship of God there is no separation of rich or poor, sated or starving, man or woman, young or old. Being a Eucharistic Assembly means that all initiated (baptized) individuals come together to unite themselves as one people (Church) before God. The Eucharistic Assembly is a sacred assembly where everyone present joins their minds and hearts and voices to give glory and praise to God. Everyone is called to participate. We participate in the prayers and songs. We participate by hearing and pondering the scriptures. As a result we are blessed with the abundant graces that come from hearing the Word of God and being strengthened by Christ’s Body and Blood.

How does this affect you and me? Being part of the Eucharistic Assembly unites us to one another because we have something in common to celebrate. If we come to Mass to celebrate the Eucharist as individuals with no awareness or intention of uniting ourselves with the persons next to us then we miss the mark. If we come to Mass thinking we can unite ourselves to God without uniting ourselves to those in the building with us then we are sadly mistaken. Jesus means what He says when He tells us to love one another as I love you. We cannot love God without loving our neighbor. Eucharist is our sign of love. When we eat this bread and drink this cup we proclaim Your death, Lord Jesus, until You come in glory. We love Jesus for what He has done for us – done for us, not just me or you but all of us.

What does being a Eucharistic Assembly call us to do? When we light a candle we do not put it under a basket so that the light does not illuminate the room. It makes no sense. When we receive a gift we do not put it on a shelf never to look at or use again. That is a waste of the gift and an insult to the one who gives the gift to us. The Eucharistic Assembly takes its gifts and talents and uses them to make the world a better place by taking care of those in need, by accepting everyone as God’s child, by reverencing our world as the beautiful home God created it to be.

Our parish has many programs that can help us do this. Take a look around and you will surely find something that will strengthen your ties to our parish. Rather it is a book discussion or the garden club, a bible study or friendly visitors to the sick and infirmed, singing in the choir or helping with the monthly breakfast all of these activities and many, many more are meant to strengthen our community of faith.

Next month we will continue our reflection on the Eucharist by examining the way the Mass is structured. We will also discuss Benediction and its relationship to the Mass.

If you have questions or comments concerning the Eucharist, sacraments, the Church or anything of a religious nature please send them to me. You can drop your question or comment in the Sunday collection basket or send it to the rectory. Be sure to address it to “Ask Deacon Mike”. You can also send me an e-mail at deaconmikefranks@verizon.net. God bless you/ I love you all. Deacon Mike.