Yes, the Eucharist is Essential

There has been an interesting discussion in the blogosphere this last week or two about a concept that never in my life would I have thought would be up for discussion: are Churches “essential”?

The current realities in our nation surrounding the COVID-19 crisis has of course led to varying levels of shut down in the life of the Church. In some places, Churches cannot even remain open during the day for prayer, in some places the Sacraments are being restricted to only folks in danger of death, and in some places people are having to simply rely on the love and mercy of God as they go home to meet him without any Sacramental care at all.

I think there is a reality that every single Catholic in the world should take time to consider – especially as we enter into Holy Week. Yes, the Church…the Eucharist…is absolutely essential.

I am not saying that anyone should ignore the limitations that are being given to us. All I am saying is that we cannot lose sight of the truth that yes, the Eucharist is essential. And anyone who is currently unable to receive it due to this current crisis has every right in the world to be upset about it. To use the old Thomistic axiom: it’s not either/r, it’s both/and: the Eucharist is essential, and right now it is not possible to gather for its celebration.

In the Gospel reading from this morning’s Mass Jesus speaks of the Son of Man being “lifted from the earth.” Later in John’s Gospel he will say, “When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself” (John 12:32). He is, the evangelist clarifies, talking about the cross. At the top of Calvary’s hill the Lord Jesus draws each and every one of us across time and history to himself. That very sacrifice is perpetuated across time and history in the celebration of the Eucharist. As the Priest raises the elements offering them to the Father, the sacrificial lamb is again lifted from the earth, and he draws everyone to himself: that’s why the Liturgy of the Eucharist crescendos in what we call “the GREAT Amen.” We are all drawn to him in our endless hymn of praise and thanksgiving! It’s the center of our very existence. It is, without question, essential.

That is precisely the lesson I think we are all supposed to take from this experience: a discovery of just how essential the Eucharist is for us.

We are blessed to have priests celebrating the Eucharist for us via the internet and other broadcasts. We should be exceedingly grateful for their service to us in this regard. We should also recognize that it is not the same. They would all also tell you that it’s not the same. It’s the best we can do right now…but it doesn’t entirely satisfy an essential need. It certainly reminds us of that need though doesn’t it? Our Sunday Obligation is not fulfilled by watching Mass on TV: our Sunday obligation is dispensed because of an inability to go to Mass, and so we go to our TVs and webcasts because there we are able to get some nourishment for a hunger that can only be entirely satisfied one way.

We watch the celebration of Mass, and watch the Son of Man “be lifted from the earth” in the hands of the Priest, and we realize that we are drawn to him: and that there is a barrier between us.

When this COVID-19 crisis has passed I pray that each and every one of us will be renewed in our love for Jesus in the Eucharist, and our understanding of his sacramental presence. That GREAT Amen should echo up and down the streets of our cities and towns when we are able to again gather for the Mass!!

We should be exceedingly grateful for the hard work of our Priests to provide Pastoral Care in creative ways during these trying times. We should support our faith communities as much as possible through “attending” these online celebrations, and if we can, sending along our financial support as well. However, we should not lose sight of the important truth that the Eucharist is, without question, essential…and when we are able to come together with him in sacramental communion once again, our hearts should burst with a new level of joy and appreciation for the marvelous gift he has left to the world in this Eucharist that we share.