“They all ate and were satisfied.” – Luke 9:17
Romeo and Juliet, Pride and Prejudice, Antony and Cleopatra. Three famous love stories that have captured hearts and imaginations for generations. Yet, according to Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen, “The greatest love story of all time is contained in a tiny white Host.”
The fact is that every other love story only borrows from some aspect of the one we get to participate in every Sunday at Mass. In the Liturgy of the Eucharist, as the priest consecrates the Host, he bows low and says, “This is my body, given up for you…” In that moment, the veil of time is torn apart as we enter into the Last Supper. Shortly thereafter, we find ourselves kneeling upon Calvary’s hill, as the priest raises high the Paschal Victim for all to see. (After all, the word Host means “victim”.)
At that moment, the same Word who once spoke the stars into being shines before our eyes. At that moment, the same Child who once slept on Mary’s lap rests silently in the hands of His priest. At that moment, the Lamb of God who once was slain stands gloriously alive in our very midst.
The beauty of this Incarnate Love is far too great to comprehend. Thus, our Lord in His mercy does not subject us to the weight of His splendor, but rather approaches us in the most humble of forms. He disguises Himself as bread, so as to satisfy our deepest hunger.
Every other love story inevitably leaves us longing for more. But, when we consume that tiny Host, the love of God consumes us. Through Holy Communion we are intimately united to the saving death and triumphant resurrection of Christ. We are transformed by Love into lovers like Him. We are wedded to the law of the Lord, which is perfect and refreshes the soul (Psalm 19:8).
Indeed, the secondary miracle of the Holy Eucharist is that it enables us to go out and add new lines to God’s great love story. Strengthened by this Bread from Heaven, we become the Body of Christ, and as His hands and feet we can carry on His mission of bringing mercy to those in most need of His love.
Lord Jesus, you are the Bread of Life. Empower us with your flesh and blood, so that we might become better witnesses to the story of your great love. Amen.
