MARCH 11, 2017
4:45 PM ORDINARY FORM MASS (7TH & 8TH GRADE RETREAT)
There are three words in today's readings that I want to focus on as a foundation for this homily.
Through Moses, God tells the people of Israel that they are "peculiar" and are called to be "holy."
And in the Gospel, Jesus tells His listeners to be "perfect."
Now, you probably know that Jesus didn't speak English ... or Spanish. And that the Old Testament wasn't written in either of those languages; and neither was the New Testament.
The Old Testament is mostly in Hebrew. And the New Testament is in Greek.
So, whenever we translate something, it gets sort of changed.
So, the word we heard as "peculiar" can also mean "valuable," "treasure," or "jewel." I'm guessing nobody really likes to be called "peculiar." It sort of sounds like you're being called "weird." But "valuable," "treasure," or "jewel." That's actually nice. That sounds like a compliment.
And like Father said last night in his talk, God brought you here for a reason. And God has a plan for you by bringing you here. And God brought you here because you're valuable to Him. He treasures the relationship you have with Him, and He wants it to be even better.
And at the end of the first reading, God tells the people to be "holy." We maybe think of "holy" as being a statue or an image of a saint. And that's OK. But I'm not sure how often we see ourselves as "saints." But, that is what we are. The word here can also mean "pure," "sacred," and "set apart."
So, over the last couple of days, we've had opportunities for Confession. Opportunities to purify your souls through sacramental means. You've set aside these three days for this retreat. And we're doing a lot of sacred things: Mass, adoration, prayer, fellowship.
Baptism brings you into the life of God, and makes you a saint. So, if you're already baptized – your working on being a better saint. And if you're going to be baptized, your preparing to become a saint.
And at the end of the Gospel, Jesus tells us to be "perfect." Well, that sounds hard. Nobody's perfect. Right? But the word translated as "perfect" can also mean "complete," "integral," and "mature." What I sometimes call "the best version of yourself."
And Jesus doesn't give us this as a demand. Instead He gives us a way to do it with His help.
The way He does this is through the Eucharist. The Blessed Sacrament. The Bread of Life. Pan de Vida.
The Holy Eucharist. The source and summit of our Christian life.
And what is this? A symbol? A ceremony? An idea?
NO.
The Eucharist is real. We call it the Real Presence, because it really is Jesus. Truly present to us. Just as He was present 2,000 years ago. But instead of appearing as a man. He is here under the appearances of Bread and Wine.
Really, and truly. Present to us. Body, and Blood; Soul, and Divinity.
Think about it. Many, if not most of you have felt it. Felt something. During the singing. During the silence. During Confession. During Mass.
He's here. Really, truly, present. Jesus is here.
And in a few minutes, on this altar ... He will make Himself present again. For us to receive Him into ourselves.
Why? Because of how much He loves you. And you. And you.
Jesus loves you. Say that to yourself: "Jesus loves me." Say it out loud: "Jesus loves me."
He does. He really does.
And He wants you to be holy. And He wants you to be perfect. And how does He do this?
He gives you Himself. Body and Blood. Soul and Divinity.
Jesus comes to us in all the Sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Confession, Anointing, Matrimony, Orders.
But in the Eucharist, He is truly present in a truly special way. An abiding way.
Jesus is here. Really. Truly. Present in the Eucharist.
Jesus is really now on Earth in the Eucharist. Say it with me.
If you emphasize a different part of that sentence, you can get to the depth of it.
And that is the mystery of the Eucharist.
God gives us this great gift of His own Son because He loves us.
Jesus does this for us – gives us His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity – because He loves you.
Because you are valuable. Because you have been set apart. So that through His gift of Grace and the Holy Spirit, you can be made whole – made holy – made perfect.
And that's the secret, too. Jesus offered Himself for our sake 2,000 years ago. And at every Mass, He mystically re-presents this sacrifice on the altar.
He comes to you, today. Right now. And at every Mass. And in the Tabernacle.
However you say it, Jesus is really now on Earth – right here, right now.
For you. And for me.
