Sorry Jesus, but Your Suffering and Death Just Wasn’t Enough

   Does this title sound ridiculous?  Would we ever say or even thing something like that?  Maybe those words or thoughts wouldn’t cross our minds or lips, but do we proclaim just that in our actions?

   Jesus said “… follow the Commandments …” to a man who wanted eternal life.  That way of life makes a priority of loving God with our whole heart, mind, soul and strength, and loving others as we love ourselves.

   So we know what God asks of us, but do we make the choices to do what is right?  We are to treat each other with kindness and compassion, making loving choices.  Jesus did that for us.

   Jesus offered Himself up for us, which we hear about continuously, but especially in the Lenten and Easter seasons.  His goal was not to just die for our sins, but to also reunite us with the kingdom of God, to make our family in God whole again.

   Before the sacrifice Jesus made, He celebrated a supper with His friends, His disciples.  He offered bread as His Body, and wine as His Blood, but also said, “Do this in remembrance of Me.”  That supper along with His suffering, death and resurrection are what we commemorate each time we celebrate Mass.

   So if we don’t make attending, fully participating in, and truly celebrating Mass weekly (at least every weekend), then what do our actions really proclaim for our lives?

   Our experience at Mass should be centered on building up the community, offering our voices and actions in the prayers and songs to bring the celebration alive.  The Body of Christ is not just something we receive, it is also what we become.  We are part of the Body of Christ (as Church), and the Body of Christ is a part of us in Holy Communion we receive and consume.

   That Holy Communion strengthens our faith and that of the whole community, building us up as a stronger more unified holy communion.  We have been changed by the Word and Eucharist through Mass.

   As the renewed person we’ve become we are sent out to live changed lives and be the change Jesus wants for our world.  One of OMC’s youth taught me recently that amidst an experience such as our Mass can be, I can realize that “I feel so alive.”

   My actions can proclaim the Presence of Jesus as a friend, my Lord, my Savior, and especially someone I want you to meet.  Don’t let your words and actions proclaim the wrong messages about who Jesus is, what He did for us, and what He wants for us all.

   Yes, this Person, the Son of God sacrificed so much, suffered, died and rose again to give us hope and life, eternal life.  We are the Easter people, all year long, every year.

   We are thankful that our God considered us worth reclaiming, redeeming, reconciling, reuniting.  Eucharist means thanksgiving, so we are giving thanks every time we celebrate, truly celebrate the meal that Jesus initiated.

   You’re invited, but not just to attend, rather to share in the celebration with full participation.  Accept!  Receive!  Consume (Word and Eucharist)!  Be Affective!