Homily: Body and Blood of Christ

by Fr. William Holtzinger

June 18, 2006

 

 

(Have someone bring forward the cup and paten for visual assistance)

 

Look at this cup.  It is beautiful.  It is a present from all of you to me when I arrived in this parish.  Notice on the lower part of the cup that there are figures which represent the four Gospel writers.  Notice also that on the top part of the cup that there are figures which represent the twelve apostles.  The inside of the cup is plated with gold.  It is made of precious metals with beautiful art on it.
 

Now, look at the paten.  On the bottom are the same figures which represent the apostles.  The inside is plated with gold again.  This is also a beautiful piece of art.
 

How would you feel if I was to take this cup and go to Taco Bell and fill it with Pepsi?  Coffee?  How about if I was to open some beer and use this cup at a gathering with some friends?  Does this sound terrible to you?  How would you feel if I took this paten and used it to put my breakfast in?  How would you feel if I was to use this paten for desert?  Ice-cream?  How would you feel if I used it to put my keys in when I am home.  Does this sound terrible to you?  I hope so.
 

These vessels, the chalice and paten are precious objects meant to be used for precious things.  They are meant to hold the body and blood of Christ.  They are made especially for this use.  They are not meant to be used for any other purpose.  They are vessels of the body and blood of Christ.  They are containers of the body and blood of Christ.  We treat them with great care.  We should treat them well.
 

Look, as Catholics we often live in a paradox or contradiction.  We all agree that we should treat these instruments with the greatest of care.  Yet, when we receive Eucharist, we become the vessels, the containers for the body and Blood of Christ too.  Yet we do not treat ourselves with the same care as we do these objects that have no life or soul.  After we eat the Eucharist, we become what we eat.  This theology comes from St. Augustine.  I did not invent it.  When we receive the Eucharist at Mass we become not only the container of Jesus, but since we are living beings, we become Jesus here on Earth.  He pulls us into his divine life.  We are sanctified and made holy.  Yet, we often leave the church and treat others with disrespect.  We cut off others in the parking lot.  We get mad at others for taking cuts in line at the store.  We yell at our spouse, our children, our friends. 
 

Let us treat each other with more respect than we do these sacred vessels.  It is hard to do.  But, we are more precious than silver or gold.  We are more important than metals which have been shaped into a cup and plate.  We are the living body and blood of Christ.  Let us start living like it.