“One who has seen God has, in the act of seeing, gained all that is counted good: life without end, everlasting freedom from decay, undying happiness, a kingdom that has no end, lasting joy, true light, a voice to sing pleasingly in the spirit, unapproachable glory, perpetual rejoicing, in a word, the totality of blessing.” – From a homily of Saint Gregory of Nyssa, bishop
What do you see? What do you truly see? Is this Jesus, body, blood, soul, and divinity or is it merely a piece of bread? The Catholic faith teaches that this is truly Jesus, as real as if he were standing before us on his own two feet. Jesus has made it possible for us to look upon the face of God on this earth without the fear of death. In the act of seeing we have gained all that is counted good. But Jesus does not stop at just allowing us to see him. Jesus has made it possible for us to take him into ourselves in the most intimate form of communion possible. Holy Communion, for a Catholic, is not just sharing a meal with each other in a remembrance of an act that happened long ago. Holy Communion starts by seeing the face of God and continues when we ask him to dwell within us when we receive the Eucharist.
I cannot think of a single thing that is closer to heaven on this earth. There is nothing greater I can give my life for. There is nothing I can receive that comes close to the gift of self from the King of heaven, God in the flesh.
Why is it then that attendance at Mass has been in decline for decades? Why is it then that so many have not returned after being relieved of their obligation to attend Mass because of the pandemic? Could it be that people only see bread being elevated by the priests? Could it be that people only see corruption and abuse in the priesthood? When asked why people leave the Church you will hear a plethora of answers. I don’t like the music. I don’t like the priest or the way he preaches. I don’t like the rules imposed or the Church’s opinion on this or that. I have even heard someone say that they no longer believe in God.
Jesus entered the world as a naked, vulnerable, innocent baby. Jesus left this world a naked, vulnerable, innocent King. He returns to us in what see as bread, just as naked, innocent, and vulnerable. Belief resides in the heart, not the head. It is belief in the heart that allows the eyes to see that which is true.
When you look upon the Eucharist what do you see? If it is anything but God in the flesh pray that God will enter your heart and fill you with his presence, that in believing you might see, and that in seeing you may receive all things considered good.