Jesus said, “I am with you always even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). Then where are you, Lord? We cannot see or hear you. Where are you hiding? How can we believe that your promise is real and not just a beautiful metaphor?
Jesus is really present among us, but He is present under a veil. First, He is present in His Church. St. Paul gives us a clear explanation of this presence when he states that we are the Body and Jesus is the head of this Body, the Church. We can see a powerful confirmation of this truth in the story of the conversion of St. Paul. It is recorded in the Acts of the Apostles that Saul, who later became Paul, on the way to Damascus heard Jesus say, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” Since Paul persecuted the Church, it seems logical that Jesus, standing in defense of His Church, would rather ask him, “Why do you persecute my Church?” and not say “why do you persecute me.” It clearly indicates that Jesus is present on this earth in His Church.
Jesus is present also, or above all, in His Church in a different way: in the Eucharist. Under the species of bread and wine, Jesus himself is among us, not symbolically but really. Moreover, Jesus said that His Body is food for eternal life. It unites a person with Jesus, anticipates his or her union with God in the future life, and strengthens us in resisting anything evil to develop goodness and love here on earth.
Two weeks ago, we celebrated the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. In the parishes of our deanery, we continued this feast for an entire week. Last Sunday, we celebrated the conclusion of the Octave of Corpus Christi here in our parish. Although I thought that attendance would be larger than normal, I never anticipated so many people present at the 10 am Mass and at the Eucharistic procession and picnic that followed. Every single spot was occupied in our huge parking lot. The church was full and the procession to the four altars or stations was magnificent. The entire Church was present: Bishop Ronald Hicks, visiting priests and deacons, religious sisters, members of various groups and organizations, the faithful from our parish and other parishes of our deanery.
The procession was a public manifestation of our faith, the Body of the Church giving praise to Her Head, but it was we who obviously benefited the most. So many people were uplifted by this celebration, and it renewed or increased in them their respect and gratitude to Jesus who is present in the Eucharist. This is a clear sign that God really acts in His Church for her spiritual goodness. It is visible that the special accent put on the Eucharist during the National Eucharistic Revival is producing bountiful fruits.
Once again, thank you to all the people and groups who contributed to the solemn celebration of the Mass, procession, and joyful picnic. Fr. Mark Jurzyk