Daily Meditations for Lent 2006

Mar 4 - Saturday

Luke 5:27-32

It’s dinner time at Levi’s house, and his friends are sitting around, talking and laughing, recalling the day’s business as they wait for him to arrive. But when he walks in, the room goes silent. “Something’s different,” they say. “What’s happened to Levi? He looks like a new man! And who is this new guest? I’ve never seen anyone like him—so self-assured, so full of peace.” Then Levi announces his guest’s name: “I’d like you all to meet Jesus of Nazareth.”
We don’t really know what happened at Levi’s dinner that night. We can only guess that, meeting the Lord face-to-face and seeing the change in Levi, many of his guests became Jesus’ followers as well. No doubt, if we were eating supper and Jesus came in to join us, we would act a little differently too. Our smiles would be brighter; we would be more thankful for our meal; and we would begin to look at the world around us in a new way.

Does this sound fanciful? It shouldn’t. Every time we celebrate the banquet of the Mass, Jesus joins us. He comes to break bread with us, to give us his own flesh to eat and his blood to drink. What’s more, it isn’t just Jesus himself who comes: His entire church is there. The apostles are there, along with all the saints and angels, joining us as guests of honor. Plus, we are there, too. We are full participants, not just spectators, in this feast. We too are fed, nourished, built up, and honored by the Lord.

The next time you go to Mass, ask Jesus to help you enter into the liturgy. Remember that the priest is not the only one who celebrates communion! Whether you are a lector, usher, Eucharistic minister, or a brother or sister in the pews, spend some time thanking God for the gift you are receiving. Then, with the joy you have received, reach out and touch someone who is worn down with burdens, or someone who doesn’t believe that God can change their life. Jesus came to “cast fire upon the earth,” and he wants to use you as his kindling (Luke 12:49)!

“Lord, I praise you for your gift of perfect love in the Eucharist and for your presence in me right now! May I manifest your presence to everyone I meet today!”

posted by Thomas Cagurangan @ 12:14 AM