Hunger teaches us many
things. Irish Proverb*
Bread on a journey is
no burden. Russian Proverb*
The Johnson readings reminded me that upon receipt of
the Eucharist, we have not only participated in God’s sacrifice and
resurrection of his son, Jesus Christ, but have secured our discharge of duty “to bring the fruits of the
Eucharist to the world” (http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/order-of-mass/concluding-rites/index.cfm)
(Johnson, 191). “[I]t is not the
material of the bread but the word which is said over it is of advantage to him
who eats it not unworthily of the Lord. …this bread becomes by prayer a sacred
body, which sanctifies those who sincerely partake of it” (Johnson, 188,
“Origen of Alexandria”). The Spirit is the “energetic principle of the Word” (188,
“Clements of Alexandria”). Neither the visible bread nor the visible drink/wine
is God’s body or blood, “but the word, in the mystery of which the bread was to
be broken… and drink was to be poured out, ... is which nourishes and the word
which gladdens the hearts” (188-89, “Origen of Alexandria”).
Why
is the “word” capitalized some times and lower cased others? Isn’t “the Word”
which proceeds from “God the Word,” His Son, Jesus Christ? (Johnson 188-89).
Are we talking of the Word-Jesus which nourishes the soul? Are we talking of
the Gospel scriptures? Is it both? Is it
the “symbolic impact of Jesus of Nazareth, of his person as well as of his life
and dying and rising”? (Cooke and Maye, 39). As Cooke and Maye explain, “Jesus
is the embodiment of God’s own ‘Word’” which “functions to communicate God’s
self-gift to humans, that is expressed in all creation but is uniquely embodied
in Jesus…. Jesus is God’s parable. As Jesus, searching for words to describe
God, turns to parables, God uses the ‘narrative’ of Jesus’ own person and
career, to reveal self” (40). In turn,
our lives “are meant to be, … ‘words’ that symbolize the God revealed in Jesus…
it is in this meaning of their lives … Christians bring to their participation
in ritual (41).
Restored
in heart and soul, “the liturgy does not simply come to an end” (http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/order-of-mass/concluding-rites/index.cfm). The presence of Christ in the Eucharist is complete when
in our hearts we have accepted “an interpersonal relationship” with Christ displayed
in our daily lives bringing the presence of Christ to all we encounter
(Johnson, 248-49).
* Norris, Gunilla. Becoming
Bread, Hidden Spring: Mahwah, NJ. 2003. (15, 1).
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