Monday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
(I Corinthians 11:17-26.33; Luke 7:1-10)
Both readings today involve the Eucharist. In the first, St. Paul addresses a scandal in
the Corinthian community. Evidently, the
wealthy members were bringing to the weekly Passover supper rich foods which
they shared among themselves. The poor members
ate nothing but the Eucharistic bread and drank nothing but the wine turned
into the Blood of Christ. By calling
attention to the words of institution at the Last Supper, Paul is saying that
the Corinthian Eucharist is fraudulent. At
that supper Jesus shared himself completely.
If his followers do not share with one another at the meal done in
remembrance of him, they are betraying Jesus’ memory and mandate.
In the gospel the centurion leaves for Jesus the same words
that we say before receiving Holy Communion.
He says, “Lord, …I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof.” He is
expressing the faith as we should have as we go to Communion. Jesus is the Lord of whom we are not worthy. Nevertheless, he comes to heal our souls so
that we might enjoy the fullness of life.
With the liturgy in the vernacular celebrated with the
priest facing the people, we can participate more fully in the mass. Participation should make us more aware of
the saving action taking place and therefore more able to benefit from it. We are not worthy as our thoughtless actions sometimes
show. Nevertheless Christ comes to heal
us of our imperfections.
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