Ex 24:3-8; Heb 9:11-15; Mk 14:12-16, 22-26
The
Pelican is excessively dedicated to its young one. The pelican
collects small fish and stores in the pouch at its neck. In the process of
feeding them the bird presses the pouch against its neck. There is a
reddish tinge at its breast plumage and redness at the tip of its
beak. All these specialties of the pelican have given rise to a
legend of the Pelican feeding its young with its own blood.
The
mother Pelican pierces its breast, opens her side and lays herself across
her young pouring out her blood over the young. The young ones feed on the
mother's blood and revive strength and come back to life. This symbol of
pelican was used by the medieval church to indicate the sacrifice of
Jesus.
Today
we are celebrating the feast of the Body and blood of Christ. This feast
reminds us of the great sacrifice of Jesus and His command to his
disciples, “Do this in memory of me."
From
the time of the election of the Israelites God's presence was manifested in various
ways among them. Moses received 10 commandments in Mount Sinai. As he
brought it to the people they made a Tabernacle and placed the
Tablets in it. The presence of God lingered over the tabernacle.
God's
presence has always been with His people in various ways. He manifests
himself through the astounding beauty and immensity of creation itself.
Through the voice of the prophets, through the wisdom of the sages, and
finally God manifested Himself in human form through Jesus. Jesus at his
departure instituted the Eucharist to continue his presence with his
people. St Francis of Assisi who had a profound experience of Jesus declared,
"Just as He appeared before the holy Apostles in true flesh, so now He has
us see Him in the Sacred Bread. For in this way our Lord is ever present among
those who believe in him, according to what He said: "Behold, I am with
you all days even to the consummation of the world." (Mt. 28, 20)
In
addition to the presence of God, throughout the Old Testament
God expresses His concern for the people. During the
exodus when the people craved for food God sent them the heavenly
bread, "Manna" which people ate and they were satisfied. The
Scripture says, "He provided Manna which neither you nor your fathers
had experienced before (Deut 8:3 ). When
they were thirsty God asked Moses to strike the rock and water gushed
forth. Prophet Jeremiah preached to the people (Jeremiah 9:15) “Therefore,
thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will feed them, and
give them water". In the New Testament we have numerous instances where
Jesus expressed his concern for the poor and hungry. The miracle of multiplication
of bread to feed the crowd is an instance of Jesus' concern for them.
The
Eucharist, therefore, is the symbol of God's presence. St Maximilian
Kolbe wrote, “God dwells in our midst, in the Blessed Sacrament of the
Altar." It is the symbol of God's concern and God’s immeasurable
love. St. Peter Julian Eymard expressed it as,”The Eucharist is the supreme
proof of the love of Jesus. After this, there is nothing more but Heaven
itself." Jesus is present among us in Eucharist. And we keep
the Eucharist most venerably in the tabernacle.
When
we receive the Holy Communion we become the tabernacle where Jesus is present.
So Maximilian Kolbe says, ' If angels could be jealous of men, they would
be so for one reason: Holy Communion." Hence, it is binding on us that we
should keep the tabernacle, ourselves, holy. St Francis de Sales
preached to the people, "When you have received Him, stir up your
heart to do Him homage, welcome Him as warmly as possible, and behave outwardly
in such a way that your actions may give proof to all of His
Presence." Blessed Damian dedicated his life for the service of
the lepers. It was a hard choice. He said, "Blessed Sacrament is,
indeed, the stimulus for me to forsake all worldly ambitions."
Satish