Eucharist

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The bright sun bursting through the clouds; the heat of the day just beginning; walking through the hustle and bustle of the marketplace (al suq); carts passing to and fro; people coming and going; toddlers crying; children laughing, calling out, riding bikes; the aroma of freshly ground coffee and the pungent smell of a variety of spices; mountains of candy and trinkets, purses, shoes, souvenirs; vendors shouting, welcoming, “going out of business, everything $1.”

We come to the plaza in front of the Holy Sepulchre and the activity lessens, but continues…posing for pictures, gathering in groups, taking videos, saying prayers, suddenly the church bells ring out and fill the air with a melodious tune; the conversations continue in Chinese, Spanish, Czech, Italian, and at least dozen other languages.

We move inside the Holy Sepulchre; people continue to move in every direction; lighting candles, venerating the stone of anointing, rushing to line up to venerate the sites of crucifixion and resurrection, shuffling to find the best picture, paging through their guide books, searching for their assigned chapel to pray, to celebrate Mass with their group.

We are escorted through a quiet sacristy into an even quieter chapel and finally, there is quiet; we pause and we celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass together. This Mass seems special, yet it feels similar to the Masses we have celebrated in a hotel conference room, under a tree in Corinth, in a cave at Shepherd's field, in the convent chapel on the Mount of Olives. It feels special because we are, but several feet from where Christ died and rose from the dead. Yet, this Mass feels the same as the Masses we celebrate at home with our families and communities; it is so similar to the Masses being celebrated around the world today.

Thank you, Lord, for the opportunity each day to pause, to take a time out from all the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, to thank you for the gift of life, for the countless ways we have been blessed. Thank you for the gift of the Mass, in which we are able to listen to your Word, profess our faith, and partake in the Holy Eucharist. May each Mass bring us closer to You, so we may return to the hustle and bustle a bit more like You, a bit more prepared to love our neighbor.

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Comments

[Sallie Latkovich, CSJ]

Gathering of the Community of Faith
Thanks, Michael. Some liturgists say that the only valid Eucharist is where there is a community of faith gathered. We have become that; and what a privilege to share the Eucharist together in these holy places.