World will be saved from sin only when we live the gospel 
The Universe
(February 13, 2005)
Before we leave on a journey, move to another place, or migrate abroad, many of us like to have a dinner for family and friends.
We give them a parting gift, something symbolic so our love and friendship will be remembered and our shared life will be recalled and cherished. It might be a photograph perhaps or a favourite book. Some people leave a video or tape.
Jesus of Nazareth left no such material mementoes by which to be remembered. He left something greater than all the physical and symbolic mementoes in the world, he left Himself, available and present to all.
The simple meal of bread and wine, The Last Supper, The Eucharist, is much more than a farewell party with friends and followers, and more than a religious rite to commemorate the Jewish passover. It is more than a religious obligation, something to fulfill and forget until the following week.
It is a unique spiritual event through which true Christians experience his presence, and during which the redemption of humankind, that he brought about by his life and sacrificial death and resurrection, is re-enacted and renewed.
The Eucharist is no magical or mystical rite, it is a community meeting with Christ, a time for the community of believers to renew a commitment to serve others and to prolong the presence of Jesus Christ through words and actions. When we partake of communion, for example, we make a public commitment to Christ and the community to continue his mission to transform the world according to our means and ability.
It is during the Eucharist that each of us is called to be a true and faithful disciple-to be another Christ. We are called to serve others in whatever way we can as Jesus did-helping the poor, lifting up the downtrodden, releasing captives, healing the sick, challenging the causes of poverty and oppression, helping orphans and widows. This is the way to extend his presence and love in the world through unselfish service.
It was not by chance that during the Last Supper Jesus shocked his disciples when he began to wash their feet. That was the work of a domestic servant and Peter refused to let him until Jesus told him unless he accepted he could not be a disciple.
He gave them and us an example of discipleship, to serve and not to be served. This is an important part of the Eucharist, it bonds us to Jesus Christ and to each other in a commitment to others without asking for rewards.
The Eucharist is the sacrament of service, redemption and self-sacrifice. The world will only be saved from sin and brought into union with God when people repent, believe and live the Gospel and cast aside arrogance, pride and greed.
A true disciple must take an active stand for the truth, justice and the dignity of every person. The Eucharist, gives us not only the spiritual power to embrace such principles but the courage to act for and on behalf of the abused, the exploited, the sick and the hungry.
When this meaning is lost and the Eucharist becomes more of a church ritual than a dynamic call for commitment to community service then we will have empty pews and fewer Christians [to be continued].
