The sacred activities of the Holy Spirit may be likened to the outpouring of an endless, inexhaustible miracle. Our Lord Jesus Christ said, “Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.” [Jn 7:38] Cherishing and sharing are part of this living water. Loving and giving are profoundly expressed every time we celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass which our Lord Jesus commanded his followers to offer in his name.
From the harvest of wheat and vine, human hands make bread and wine. In the Mass, the presiding priest invokes God’s Spirit upon these simple gifts to consecrate them and make them holy to God and for his people. The Spirit transforms the bread and wine into the living Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ. Then they are distributed among all who gather in his name.
We may say with confidence that the commandment to believe precedes all others. It would be impossible otherwise. How could anyone discern the decalogue, beatitudes, the seven sacraments, and what it means to be good if he or she didn’t believe? Even so, God’s Holy Spirit is our teacher and comforter. With God’s help, we humbly cry out, “I believe; help my unbelief!” [Mk 9:24]
By carrying the ‘staff of God’, Moses was immediately recognizable to all the Hebrews after their exile from Egypt. His staff was a sign of authority and leadership over the people who received manna from heaven. Jesus, the Lamb of God, is immediately recognizable to us in a more perfect way. Jesus is our high priest who chose the cross as his altar, offering his life as a sacrifice pleasing to God. Soon people everywhere hungered for the eucharist of the Lord.
The endless, inexhaustible miracle of the eucharistic sacrifice will forever remain beyond our human powers. “I believe” becomes possible, however, if we place our faith in Christ and in his divine Word:
HE WHO eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. [Jn 6: 54-56]
Clearly the miracle of God is revealed by the consecration of the Mass: the substance of grape and wheat changes into the substance of the Body and Blood of the Lord.
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 real presence in the Eucharist 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.
The sacred activities of the Holy Spirit may be likened to the outpouring of an endless, inexhaustible miracle. Our Lord Jesus Christ said, “Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.” [Jn 7:38] Cherishing and sharing are part of this living water. Loving and giving are profoundly expressed every time we celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass which our Lord Jesus commanded his followers to offer in his name.