Welcome to part two of our reflections in preparation for Advent. This time we look at Eucharist as Christ truly present through the writings and prayers of St Francis of Assisi.
‘Let everyone be stuck with fear, let the whole world
tremble and let the Heavens exalt , when Christ, the Son of the Living God is
Present on the altar in the hands of a Priest. O wonderful loftiness and
stupendous dignity! O sublime humility! O humble sublimity!’ (Letter to the
entire Order, 26-27).
Francis revered the role of the Priest, not for the sake of
elevating the person of the Priest above others but, because of the Priests
role in making Christ truly present. For Francis this was a great mystery of
faith and he saw it as a great honour for those called to serve as Priests.
Francis experienced, in a very real and palpable way, the
presence of God in all of Creation, his spirit soared as he contemplated the
great gift of life and as he contemplated the face of God in all he met. But in
the Eucharist, he recognised the real presence of Christ, the presence that
consoles, transforms and heals.
In his Letter to the Clergy, Francis clearly states the need
for those ministering at the Altar to do so with utmost respect and reverence.
To minister knowing that it IS Christ, truly present before them. He admonishes
those who treat the Body and Blood of Christ ‘illicitly’ meaning they do not
afford Christ present in the Eucharist due respect and care. He writes
‘whenever the most holy Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ has been
illicitly placed, let it be removed from there and placed in a precious place
and locked away’ (Letter to the Clergy, 11-12). Such was Francis awareness of,
and respect for, Christ truly present in the Eucharist.
As we continue to journey this pilgrim route together, let
us reflect on how we reverence Christ truly present in the Eucharist. Are we in
tune with the great mystery of the Eucharist or has it become mechanical for
us? Do we take time to realise that in the Eucharist we meet the living Christ,
who lives in us as we live in Him? Do we see the celebration of the Eucharist
through eyes of faith being the blessed who do not see yet still believe?
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