Why we Catholics do what we do with Holy Communion (Sunday homily)

 In the first reading, Wisdom says, come to a meal. 

For a lot of us, meals are eaten on the run, in the car, or at your desk. 

I’m guilty of that!  

Yet that’s not Wisdom’s meal. 

She is saying, set aside real time to focus on both the food and the company. 

Make the most of it. 

Just on the level of a meal, this can be a powerful experience, 

to give real attention both to preparing a meal with love 

and sharing it with others, 

where we focus not just on the food, but the company. 

And that is a prism for the whole of life.

Is the point of the Rosary to rush through as fast as possible? 

Or to be aware of your company: 

Being with Mary and the saints turning our gaze to Jesus, 

And being aware of our fellow pilgrims beside us in the pews?

Now let’s focus on Jesus’ words in the Gospel. 

He is True Wisdom, inviting you and me to the greatest of all meals. 

“The Bread I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.”

These are shocking words, and if you’re not shocked, 

I must ask: were you listening? “The Bread I will give is my flesh…”

People were listening that day, and they were shocked. 

Notice Jesus didn’t back down, he doubled down. 

Over and over, he says, “eat my flesh” and “drink my blood.” 

So, this is not a mere symbol, not a metaphor. 

This, right here, sets us Catholics apart from many other Christians. 

I do not say that to be superior or insulting – 

and I am aware there are those with us who aren’t Catholic, 

who are, in their own way, sorting out their beliefs. 

But it is actually disrespectful to minimize or wave away real differences.

There’s more we could explore here, if there were time, 

but for now, let’s just acknowledge the reality.

If people ask us why we Catholics take this so seriously, 

we can do no better than to point to this Gospel passage. 

You and I are remaining faithful 

to how Catholics have heard these words since the very beginning. 

One of the first to call us “Catholic” was the bishop Ignatius, 

about 70 years after the Last Supper. 

He spoke about the Eucharist as we do, today.

And more examples could be cited.

And it’s all connected to questions like, is the Mass a true sacrifice? Yes. 

Does there continue to be a true priesthood? Yes. 

And do we believe it is important to maintain continuity with those before us? Again, yes.

Still, we can get a panicky, not knowing how to explain 

our Catholic practice of only Catholics – in a state of grace – 

receiving the Eucharist.

If asked, you might answer that we believe receiving the Eucharist 

is not just one familiar rituals. 

Anyone can receive ashes or bless themselves with holy water.

But for Catholics, the Eucharist is the supreme moment of focus on Jesus himself. 

Since Jesus tells us the Eucharist 

is his whole self, Body and Blood, given for us and to us, 

it is necessary that you and I come prepared to give our whole selves to him.

Remember Lady Wisdom inviting us: take time to give yourselves wholly.

So: there needs to be a holistic act of faith on our part,

giving ourselves wholly to the whole Body of Christ;

Not just what the priest or distributor is holding up,

But the whole mystical Body of Christ – that is, the Church.

This is what it means to become Catholic. 

When people become Catholic a little later in life, this is clearer: 

they take time to understand the implications, to prepare, 

and then in a solemn way, they commit themselves publicly. 

Then: their first Holy Communion.

For those of us who were baptized as babies, 

it was our parents who had to make a solemn commitment, 

which they did on the day of our baptism. 

Then, as we mature, we grow into our own solemn commitment. 

What I’m describing is the origin of Lent: 

either for those entering the church to fast and prepare and convert; 

or for the already baptized to fast and renew our conversion. 

Then comes Easter when some are baptized and the rest of us renew our baptism. 

And this is relived each Sunday at Mass. 

Notice we recite the Creed each Sunday: a solemn profession!

If no one ever told you that all this is serious, solemn stuff, 

then I’m telling you now. Don’t just toddle along. Ask yourself: do I believe this?

And for those around us who want to receive the Eucharist,

The right answer is, “Yes, we want that too! But let us help you prepare. 

This is worth a lot more than a moment’s reflection, don’t you think?