The ‘going forth’ of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost is the outpouring of an endless, inexhaustible miracle. Our Lord Jesus Christ himself foretold this miracle when he said, “Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.” [Jn 7:38] This invisible living water reveals itself in our lives as visible cherishing and sharing, its most perfect expression being the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The Eucharistic celebration is loving and giving par excellence. Our Lord Jesus who loved most and gave most commanded his followers to “love one another”. [1Jn 4:12] Thus, we may ‘see’ God in one another.

The autumn season is perfectly choreographed by human hands which harvest wheat and grape to make the bread we eat and the wine we drink. Of these, Jesus said, “take, eat, this is my body” [Mt 26:26] and again, “this cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood”. [Lk 22:20] In every Mass, your presiding priest invokes God’s Spirit to consecrate bread and wine in remembrance of him. [Cf Lk 22:19, 1Cor 11:24] The visible bread and wine become the invisible living Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, cherished and shared among those who gather in the Lord’s name.

We may say with confidence that the commandment to believe precedes all others. The holy way of life would be impossible otherwise. If one didn’t believe, how could he discern the Decalogue, beatitudes, the seven Sacraments, and what it means to be holy? Though the Eucharistic miracle forever will be a mystery, God’s Holy Spirit is our teacher and comforter. ‘I
believe’ becomes possible, nevertheless, if we place our faith in Christ and his divine Word. We may cry out, “I believe; help my unbelief!” [Mk 9:24] But not in vain!

In ancient days, the nomadic Hebrews immediately recognized Moses wherever he went, for he carried the staff of God which signified divine power and his own leadership. In these days, however, the Lord Jesus is immediately recognizable to his faithful followers in a more perfect way. The “lamb of God” [Jn 1:29] is our high priest whose altar is a cross, who gave himself as a perfect offering pleasing to God. Now people everywhere understand the risen Lord’s teaching: “He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.” [Jn 6:54] Clearly this miracle of Our Lord’s passion, death and resurrection is re-presented by the consecration of the Mass. Grape and wheat become the Body and Blood of the Lord truly present to us when we eat and drink in his name.

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass contains the whole spiritual good of the Church. Whenever we come together in the Lord’s name, the highest aspirations of human cherishing and sharing are fulfilled. We glorify God. We love one another. We proclaim the Good News. We break Holy Bread together. Jesus Christ is our Staff of Life! The Lord’s Eucharistic presence is changing us
even now into “his likeness from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit”. [2Cor 3:18] Sincerely in the hearts of Jesus and Mary. Your pastor, Reverend Richard Barker. +++