Receiving and Giving

“We adore you, oh Christ, and we praise you, because by your holy Cross, you have redeemed the world.”

In the pre-dawn hours of morning our rather sleep-deprived group made its way through the narrow and winding streets of Old Jerusalem to pray the Via Dolorosa, also known as the Stations of the Cross.  The entire length of the fourteen Stations amounts to a mere 600 yards; beginning with Jesus’ condemnation by Pontius Pilate and culminating in his death and burial in the Holy Sepulcher.  It is truly amazing to think of how much occurred over such a short distance.  As we made our way through the virtually empty streets of the city to pray at each station, some of which are commemorated by no more than a bronze circle attached to a wall with a roman numeral on it, a strong somber quiet remained over the group.  Praying where Christ fell three times, or where he met his mother, or where he died for all of us truly made the stations come alive.

Before we completed the final two stations, Jesus being taken down from the Cross and being laid in the tomb, we were able to celebrate mass at Calvary, the precise place where Jesus was crucified.  Each and every time the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is celebrated, we participate in a re-presentation of Calvary.  The Eucharist is the un-bloody sacrifice of Christ.  I felt that this morning I had a clearer understanding of this than ever before.  The words “This is my body which will be given up for you” struck a deep resonance in my heart.  At this very spot Christ gave up his life - for you and for me.  The experience of mass at Calvary illuminated my heart in a way that nothing more could be added to enrich what occurred. It was a celebration of the Eucharist which I will not forget.

Each and every Sunday, when we are called to the Eucharistic table, we see Christ give us everything, again and again.  He performs the ultimate act of love by dying on the cross so that we “may have life, and have it more abundantly” (Jn 10:10).  In order to properly receive this entirely unmerited gift, we must be prepared to give ourselves, wholly and entirely, back to Christ.  As we prepare to receive the Body and Blood of Christ into our very selves, we should always meditate on what Christ has done for us.  Part of this meditation includes asking of ourselves: “What have I done for Christ?”