A Date with the Lord

“ I hunger for the bread of God, the flesh of Jesus Christ … I long to drink of his blood, the gift of unending love. ” - St. Ignatius of Antioch

First Reading: Ex 24:3-8

When Moses came to the people

and related all the words and ordinances of the LORD,

they all answered with one voice,

"We will do everything that the LORD has told us."

Moses then wrote down all the words of the LORD and,

rising early the next day,

he erected at the foot of the mountain an altar

and twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel.

Then, having sent certain young men of the Israelites

to offer holocausts and sacrifice young bulls

as peace offerings to the LORD,

Moses took half of the blood and put it in large bowls;

the other half he splashed on the altar.

Taking the book of the covenant, he read it aloud to the people,

who answered, "All that the LORD has said, we will heed and do."

Then he took the blood and sprinkled it on the people, saying,

"This is the blood of the covenant

that the LORD has made with you

in accordance with all these words of his."

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 116:12-13, 15-16, 17-18

Second Reading: Heb 9:11-15

Brothers and sisters:

When Christ came as high priest

of the good things that have come to be,

passing through the greater and more perfect tabernacle

not made by hands, that is, not belonging to this creation,

he entered once for all into the sanctuary,

not with the blood of goats and calves

but with his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.

For if the blood of goats and bulls

and the sprinkling of a heifer's ashes

can sanctify those who are defiled

so that their flesh is cleansed,

how much more will the blood of Christ,

who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God,

cleanse our consciences from dead works

to worship the living God.

For this reason he is mediator of a new covenant:

since a death has taken place for deliverance

from transgressions under the first covenant,

those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance.

Gospel: Mk 14:12-16, 22-26

On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread,

when they sacrificed the Passover lamb,

Jesus' disciples said to him,

"Where do you want us to go

and prepare for you to eat the Passover?"

He sent two of his disciples and said to them,

"Go into the city and a man will meet you,

carrying a jar of water.

Follow him.

Wherever he enters, say to the master of the house,

'The Teacher says, "Where is my guest room

where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?"'

Then he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready.

Make the preparations for us there."

The disciples then went off, entered the city,

and found it just as he had told them;

and they prepared the Passover.

While they were eating,

he took bread, said the blessing,

broke it, gave it to them, and said,

"Take it; this is my body."

Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them,

and they all drank from it.

He said to them,

"This is my blood of the covenant,

which will be shed for many.

Amen, I say to you,

I shall not drink again the fruit of the vine

until the day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God."

Then, after singing a hymn,

they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Reflection:

By Gharri Tulabut

A religion teacher once told her first graders that kids should observe silence whenever they attend Mass. She followed it up by asking why they should do so.  The classroom was filled with silence as nobody dared to answer. Soon the brightest student raised her hand and answered “Teacher, it is because the elders are asleep and we do not want to wake them up.”

Of course, this is just an exaggeration… well, physically. But spiritually, often there is truth to what the kid in the story said. Many of us are physically present during the Mass but spiritually missing.

I was once told a story that a certain Protestant once said that he did not believe in the physical presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Neither was he convinced that we Catholics believed in Christ’s presence in the Eucharist.

Why? Because of our actions at Mass.

Well, yes we may not all fall asleep inside the Church but many times others are busy doing other things or looking at other things or other people. Even when we sing our praise songs, whether it is the “Papuri”  or the Grand Amen or the Hosanna, we do not act the way we should. We sing happy praise songs, yet we are so gloomy as if it is always a Good Friday. We do not have the enthusiasm, the excitement, the joy of being in the physical presence of Christ. Isn’t Christ whom we are waiting for all our lives? And there He is present in flesh and blood in Mass. But why are we not excited about it?

If we really believe in Christ’s presence in the Eucharist, then we leave everything just to attend the Mass. We should be singing and dancing and rejoicing from start to finish! Yes, I know our Mass still maintains a solemn atmosphere, but when we sing the happy songs, we should be all smiles, not to mention when we give the greetings of peace. Imagine saying “Peace be with you” to your seat mate while frowning!!! I guess what I’m really trying to say is that the energy level during the Mass should be at its highest as it is a glimpse of heaven on earth!

Sometimes I can’t help but compare the Holy Mass with that of a romantic date. I dress my best for a date. I do not arrive late at a date and keep my date waiting. I spend a lot for a date, and sometimes bring gifts for my date.  Given the chance to sing and dance for my lady, I will do it. And yes, I usually am very excited a week before a date! And I am always at my highest energy during the date. And yes, I always look forward to the next one.

Much more should I do or be before, during, or after the Mass. Because this is my date with the One who’s love is beyond compare. And Christ is there during the Mass not only in Spirit, but in flesh and blood!

 Prayer:

Lord Jesus, I know my excitement for meeting you at Mass is nothing compared to Your excitement meeting me. May this fire keep burning in anticipation, during, and even after our Sunday dates! Amen!