Jesus, sent by the Father, lives in fidelity and remains open to his will; his mission is to announce the Good News and to generate life in the world, since it is the intimate experience he lives with God that enables him to give himself to humanity. He is the true food, and he ardently desires that every person live a filial relationship with the Father and with the world: "The Eucharist is the source and sign of unity. Through it the Church and our communities are built up day after day. In the daily celebration of the Eucharist, the sisters proclaim the definitive victory of love over death, hatred and indifference." (R.V. 52)
Likewise, the Eucharist is the real presence of Jesus Christ that impels creativity from a gaze of hope. It is total encounter with him, who invites us to share in his banquet and to remain in communion with all of creation. To remember, live and celebrate the mystery of his self-giving is a gift of the Holy Spirit who breathes upon and moves human existence, as he reminds us (cf. Lk 22:19): He took bread and, giving thanks, broke it and gave it to them, saying: "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in memory of me." To eat his flesh is to live in him; this allows us to open our heart to the liberating experience of a God present in history, where the human and the divine are united. Therefore, the Eucharist is to live Jesus through prayer, which orients hope, strengthens joy and nourishes faith.
Today we live in a fast-paced world where it is no longer easy to stop and contemplate the small things that life offers us as a gift from God, which are increasingly given very little value.
A few weeks ago, I was reflecting on the richness that comes when we make room to listen to one another and to listen to others freely. I say this because it is a decision and a grace to make small pauses in the midst of routine, especially to listen to those who come to us Religious of the Assumption and wish to unburden themselves; yet we must admit that time is what we least offer to those around us. Most of the time our schedules are so full that we find it hard to savour the beauty of life that others bring us. Nevertheless, becoming aware of taking part in the Eucharist reminds us that to receive communion is to become one with Jesus and to live the commitment of being bread for others; we cannot shut ourselves up in our small agendas, we need to let ourselves be broken by the suffering of those around us.
In the midst of a world marked by pain and individualism, we must be a witness of simplicity and humility, as the rule of life reminds us: "It is not a humility of words or of appearance, but the heart itself giving itself entirely and receiving Jesus Christ." (R.V. #42); humility is a visible sign of communion with Christ. In other words, to celebrate the Eucharist is to do the will of the Father, to let ourselves be challenged by the cries of the people, to embrace a fraternal society built through prayer. In this way, we become a manifestation of love in our world broken by injustice and proclaim that Jesus is true peace. Hence the importance of preparing ourselves interiorly and celebrating the Eucharist in community, so as to be a living presence of the risen Jesus. Likewise, the Church is a sign of love and of faith, which orients us towards a fraternal life lived according to the will of God, and educates us to be true Christians, ready to collaborate with the project of the Kingdom. The experience of celebrating the Eucharist with the people must be a witness of reconciliation and solidarity in our daily life.
Claudia Marilú Núñez
Province of Central America and Cuba