By: Postulant Emma
Our Lord left us with two of the greatest gifts imaginable on Holy Thursday, the Priesthood and the Eucharist. Food and drink to sustain us on our journey to heaven- to be so intimately joined with the heart of Christ every time we receive his most holy body and blood through the hands of his priests. At the Last Supper, Jesus calls his disciples to be priests after his own heart, and to be shepherds of the flock. John 17, which is known as the “high priestly prayer”, so beautifully reveals Jesus’ deep love and prayer for his priests. “I pray for them…I will no longer be in the world, but they are in the world, while I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are…I protected them and guarded them…I do not ask that you take them out of the world but that you keep them from the evil one…consecrate them in the truth…I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word…that the world may know that you loved them even as you loved me…Father, they are your gift to me.” It is so humbling that He leaves Himself in human hands, and in all the tabernacles of the world, even as we continually wound His heart…but He would rather dwell with us than leave fallen humanity without Himself. That is perfect love. The same love that is shared between the Father and the Son is manifested in this most precious gift. We are intimately known and loved through this sacrament. Jesus longs for us to have a participation in His joy and his love, as it is in heaven.
It was very striking to me this year my great thirst for Him on Good Friday when He was not present in our tabernacle…the same longing of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. Their hearts were burning in His very presence, and my own heart echoed their cry of, “stay with us, Lord!” At the same time, it is again so humbling and profound to recognize that the deep thirst and desire we have for our Lord is ever greater in His own heart for us. He so longs to be with us always, even until the end of time. Jesus has truly left us with the ultimate gift, the gift of Himself. At every Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, we see a glimpse of heaven on earth. May we be truly grateful! Mary, Mother of the Eucharist and of Priests, pray for us!
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