Eucharist: The extravagant gesture

This Sunday, this solemnity, is an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of the Eucharist in our lives.

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“After the one extravagant gesture of creation ... the universe has continued to deal exclusively in extravagances …” — Annie Dillard, “Pilgrim at Tinker Creek”

The Creator has always dealt in extravagances! In the First Reading from Exodus, Moses reminds the people of the amazing liberality of the Lord, their God. The Lord rained down manna for 40 years. Manna is that mysterious, miraculous, flake-like, honey-tasting food that God provided in abundance. God also brought forth water in the desert when it seemed like there was no water anywhere. The Holy One always goes above and beyond in generosity!

Jesus, too, dealt exclusively in extravagances! He continues and deepens this abundance in giving us his body and blood. The Eucharist is a great outpouring of love. It exceeds our wildest imaginings about how the Holy One shares life and love with us. Certainly, the lavishness that the Lord God extends in God’s care for the people is a foretaste of this love. Even before that, creation is a tremendous expression of God’s magnanimity. The incarnation continues the prodigal giving of creation as the second person of the Trinity fills the entire cosmos with presence and grace. The Eucharist brings together creation, God’s faithfulness to the first covenant, incarnation, and the Paschal mystery into the Holy One’s incredible crescendo of love and gift. We need to catch our breath and hold very still in wonder and awe as we contemplate this astonishing work of Divine Mystery!

Like all mysteries, this can be very overwhelming. Even more amazing, this gift of Jesus’ body and blood is not a one-time offer. Every time we attend Mass, Jesus gives himself to us: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven, whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” Whoever eats of Jesus’ body and blood, remains in him and he in them. This mutual indwelling is another astonishing gift of the Eucharist. We become living tabernacles of Jesus’ loving presence. And even more, Jesus promises food for our journey now and the fullness of life to come! 

This gift, this food, this deep connection with Jesus, reinforces our faith and gives us the strength and courage to go out and be true witnesses to the life Jesus shares with us. We remember that the sacred meal of the Eucharist was made possible when Jesus offered himself on the cross: his radical sacrifice. Jesus’ living, dying and rising are inextricably woven together. And this is an example to us — the outpouring love of Jesus — is a call for us to do the same. We are nourished and sent forth to bring compassion, understanding, joy and peace to our world, which is so in need. Jesus’ presence in us and with us encourages us to be a gentle presence in our families, communities and workplaces.

The extravagant gesture of the gift of Jesus’ own body and blood calls us to deeply dwell on this mystery. This Sunday, this solemnity, is an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of the Eucharist in our lives. Even the most amazing gift can become ho-hum or mundane. Sitting with the readings and considering Jesus’ lavish love can help us to rekindle the flame of gratitude for the Eucharist and can spur us on to give generously to others.