Our rituals are the celebration of God with us. The Solemnity of The Body and Blood of Christ Year B EX 24:3-8, PS 116:12-13, 15-16, 17-18, HEB 9:11-15, MK 14:12-16, 22-26 Dcn Frank Sila 6/3/2018
Our first reading speaks of covenant and relationship between God and his people. We celebrate today the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ. The Abbey was tucked away in the deep woods far from the sights and sounds of the city. Brother Thaddeus was out for his morning walk and prayer. He strolled a well-worn path through the wooded area behind the Abbey. He walked slowly to absorb what he saw and also because he was now closer to 90 than 80. The Spring had alternated between cold and warmth. As the season finally warmed there was an explosion of flowers and foliage. In one area by the path there was a patch of small blue flowers. Having lived here at the Abbey over 20 years, he had been able to watch the patch of these tiny flowers spread further each year. In a world that wants instant gratification, the flowers were a reminder that some things just take longer. Our relationships are like that he thought. And our relationship with God is no different. It had rained that morning. Brother Thaddeus came upon a bush laden and bent over. Its blossoms and leaves were holding the droplets of rain. If he were to shake the bush it would release its load and stand upright. Then he stopped and admired the bush glistening in first light. In the moment, it appeared to Thaddeus that the bush was bowing to the Creator of all Things, giving thanks and gratitude for the rain. Thaddeus smiled, having found his morning prayer. He walked the woods with an awe and wonder of creation. With thoughts of gratitude, his prayer took him to a childhood memory of extended family gathering for Thanksgiving. Thaddeus remembered tables being pushed together in grandma s dining room and tablecloths being spread out. He smiled. For a kid, it was a good sign; it meant dinner was soon.
Thanksgiving was a day when everyone brought their best self and dish to the table. As a young child, seeing relatives gathered at Thanksgiving each year was like the patch of blue flowers. His understanding of family grew each year. That is the way that relationships work; they deepen and expand with time. Thaddeus recalled the prayer that grandma prayed before the meal; Come Lord Jesus, be our guest and let these gifts to us be blest. Amen. Grandma attended the First Congregational Church, so, for young Thaddeus, her words were different from what he knew. Now, thinking back, her prayer simply asked that Jesus be with her family and that we recognize the things we have as gift. Perhaps the blessing is in realizing just that. There is ancient wisdom that flows from sharing a meal together. Thanksgiving was laughter, stories and just catching up. Old family stories were retold with, Do you remember when? Even as a child, Thaddeus knew that it was good. Thaddeus thought of Mass that morning and how it was like Thanksgiving. We gather for a meal, share the stories of ancestors and give thanks. He thought of the Eucharist and how our rituals are a celebration of God with us. He thought about how, in receiving the Eucharist over 80 some years, his relationship to the Lord had grown. His spiritual awareness and acuity had matured to where he could now give thanks for the simple gifts of seeing a bush bent by the rain and a patch of blue Forget-Me-Nots. Thaddeus wondered about the Lord s heart, when, at Passover, he broke the bread and shared the wine. What were his thoughts? What was the Lord feeling? He walked slowly allowing the question some room.
At that meal, Jesus was the host. He had arranged for the room. He catered to his guests and washed their feet. He returned thanks. Pondering this, Thaddeus realized that when we share a meal, when we share sustenance with another, whether it be food or an attentive ear, we affirm the value of the other. That is the ancient wisdom of sharing a meal. That is Eucharist and that is love. Thaddeus walked on towards a bend in the path. Hearing the whisper of a soft breeze through the branches, he stopped. He was standing in a shifting puddle of light. He looked up through the canopy of trees towards the morning sun. Then, as if the Lord s heart had spilled over into his, he heard the Lord s invitation; Love one another as I have loved you. Do this in memory of me. With a heart of gratitude and a wrinkled smile, Brother Thaddeus slowly made his way through the woods returning to the Abbey. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lord.
References All scripture quotations are taken from;. (1987). The New American Bible, Revised edition. USCCB. I welcome your questions and comments. My email is fsila@sttomskazoo.org. (n.d.). Note: Brother Thaddeus is fictitious but a good friend when writing nonetheless.