No Eucharist without the Mass (Sunday homily)

 In this Gospel about a journey to Emmaus,

there’s so much here to notice.

The last line is so memorable: 

“they recognized him in the breaking of the Bread.”

But don’t miss all that preceded that awakening.

Jesus took pains to focus their gaze on Good Friday.

There’s no Eucharist without the Sacrifice; 

there’s no Eucharist without the Mass.

The blunt truth is that there is widespread misunderstanding 

about the Eucharist and the Mass, 

even among the most active Catholics.

We all know we have a grave obligation 

to attend Mass on the Lord’s Day.

But the point of that obligation is not to receive Communion.

I repeat: receiving Holy Communion is not the point of that.

No, the point is the Mass itself; being here, with each other, 

and being united to Jesus’ sacrifice, 

which happens even if we don’t receive the Eucharist.

This may sound odd, but it really is possible 

to focus on the Eucharist in the wrong way. 

Some people emphasize receiving the Eucharist, 

and forget about the awesome reality of the Mass.

I remember someone asking me – in another parish – 

if I could do more of those 

“really short Masses without all the stuff in the middle.”

In other words, she just wanted a communion service – no Mass!

If you or I key in on the Eucharist 

such that you forget about the Mass,

that is like focusing so much on the child, 

that you forget there must be a mother and father.

No mom plus dad means no baby.

No sacrifice by Jesus means no Eucharist.

Remember that the Eucharist is not so much a “what” as a “Who.”

You and I don’t merely “receive” Communion; we share it.

“Communion” isn’t an object; it is a relationship.

Husband and wife – that is a communion. Friendship is a communion.

The relationship between Father, Son and Holy Spirit 

is the supreme communion;

and that is what Jesus brings us into through the Eucharist.

I’m sorry to say, 

but I suspect a lot of Catholics just go through the motions.

That includes priests, by the way.

It’s so easy to get too familiar; too casual.

So, I’m just going to say,

if you’re walking up in the line without reflection,

maybe hold back, go deeper, and come another time?

Do you realize the importance of what we’re doing here?

The totality of God’s Plan for salvation is summed up and made present.

Here. For you and me.

Do you realize when you are given the Eucharist, 

you are face-to-face with your Creator? 

Face to face!

This is also a good time to mention something else.

Some folks have asked about the distribution of the Precious Blood.

And my answer is, making that change at Our Lady of Good Hope 

and at St. Henry involves more planning than you may realize. 

In my judgment, now is not a good time to take on that project.

Meanwhile, the Precious Blood is distributed at St. Mary,

at every Mass. So there’s no problem, no waiting.

Further, let me remind people: you receive the Precious Blood 

every single time you share in the Eucharist. Every single time.

Back to my main theme: this isn’t about thing we get, 

but a life that is shared with you and me. God’s own life. 

Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

That divine life poured from Jesus’ side on the Cross.

Each and every Mass, we are there.