Three years ago, when we had our parish’s first Corpus Christi procession, it was three months into the hard lockdown and our forced separation from the Mass. Enthusiasm was high to be with one another, and to be with our Lord.
The forced separation from the Eucharist that we endured had produced a longing, a yearning for Christ’s own presence and activity with us and for us and in us. It was never more evident than that day. One reason that peak remained unique was that a week later, when the local authorities again permitted us to worship, there was still fear and uncertainty of the virus, and there were so many protocols and practices that had not been part of our worship that being together with the Lord and with one another was deeply impaired. It was strange, but it was Mass, thank God.
That has been the story over the intervening three years, as we worked our way back into unimpeded communion. Capacity limits were lifted, mask mandates withdrawn, and people got used to being with people again. We sang; we reached again for holy water to bless ourselves. Some people were still absent, but it was more and more like Mass, thank God.
Over the same time, other activities resumed to their pre-pandemic levels, and the demands on our time multiplied. Especially our kids had places they needed to be. People started eating out and getting together in homes again. In other words, Mass went back to being another thing we had to fit into our schedules. Thank God?
Three years ago, when we had our parish’s first Corpus Christi procession, for weeks beforehand the streets had been filled with people marching, even in our own neighborhoods. Anger, protest, and accusations were the norm. When our procession came through the streets of Four Corners, there was visible hesitation and uncertainty as our neighbors looked to see what was this, what now? Then, relief filled their faces to see that we weren’t angry peaceful protesters, but people of faith proceeding with the Prince of Peace.
We sell Our Eucharistic Lord short every time we simply consider what we are doing in regard to Him. Are we going to go to Him Sunday morning, or in the afternoon? Are we going to visit Him on our way home today, or are we going to try maybe next week? Are we going to linger with Him for a few moments to try to work out a few of the things that are concerning us, or will we try to communicate from our home or car? All of these are worthy considerations, but they are not all that we should consider.
When we attend Sunday Mass, He commands us. When we visit Him in the tabernacle, He draws us to Himself. When we linger before Him, He holds us and loves us and elicits from us our concerns and joys and needs. And when we are away from Him, He makes us know where He is and where He desires us to be. He initiates.
The point is what God is doing. Last week, the first reading for Trinity Sunday revealed what Our Eucharistic Lord is doing with us: then was I beside him as his craftsman, and I was his delight day by day, playing before him all the while, playing on the surface of his earth; and I found delight in the human race. (Proverbs 8:31). By the power of the Spirit,the Eucharistic Son dwells with us and He delights in us just as the Father delights in Him. He acts.
The point is that the Eucharist IS what God is doing: Yet just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down and do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, giving seed to the one who sows and bread to the one who eats, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but shall do what pleases me, achieving the end for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:10–11) Jesus is not the passive recipient of actions of our initiation, but rather He is active in Himself and through our actions. He accomplishes.
Three years ago, when we had our parish’s first Corpus Christi procession, things were different than they are now. Today we are restored to frequent and free Communion, but reduced in number. Our Lord Jesus Christ calls us, commands us, elicits in us the desire to carry Him to our neighbors and neighborhood, whose dispositions now have changed in the intervening time at least as much as have our own. Still, we respond to the Lord Who dwells among us; we embody His own obedience. We take up and bear His Body before our neighbors who are hungry for love, authentic love. We may be the ones who do the sweating, but He will be the one Who achieves the end for which He has been sent.
Monsignor Smith
