The Eucharist – Part 2

The Eucharist and Justice

Two very significant commands are given to us each time we attend Mass. The first one is the Eucharistic command, “Do this in remembrance of Me.” The second one, which comes at the conclusion of Mass, is sometimes referred to as our marching orders: “Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.”

As an introduction to the invitation to share the sign of peace, the priest says, “I leave you peace, my peace I give you.” These words are taken directly from John 14:27, where Jesus spoke these words as part of his “Last Supper Discourse.” Jesus spoke of peace as he was preparing the apostles for his death, departure, and the coming of the Holy Spirit.

Later in his first post-resurrection appearance to the apostles, he again mentioned peace, and added a commission, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you” (John 20:21).

Unified in action, we, the people of God, the Body of Christ, gather together at Mass, fulfilling the commandment to “remember to keep holy the Lord’s Day.” Together, we listen to God’s Word, share in the Eucharistic meal, and receive our commissioning. We are sent out, to take to the world what we have heard, seen, tasted, felt, experienced, and been given: justice, charity, sacrificial love, healing mercy, peace, and life to the fullest. We are sent to serve the poor, the needy, the imprisoned, the infirmed, the oppressed and the distressed.

The command really requires a committed response. We respond verbally in the immediate sense with, “Thanks be to God.” However, we are commissioned to the same degree as the apostles in the upper room. Jesus, as the sacrament of God, was the physical, concrete symbol and image of the living God. We depart the church building as the Church, which is the sacrament of Jesus – the outward physical expression of the Risen Jesus. Made in the image and likeness of God, we reflect what God is like.

Because every person is made in the image and likeness of God, our love for God must cause us to love all people and strive for justice. By participating in acts of service or charity, we see to the immediate needs of those we serve. We perform works of justice when we work to change the structure of society, such as addressing the reasons and causes that keep people hungry or poor or marginalized.

There are four components to justice:

Ø Common Good is achieved when people look out for each other, and concern for one another is reflected beyond interpersonal relationships to include corporations, communities, and government. Catholic Social Teaching expresses our faith's understanding that society functions best when decisions are made with an eye toward what benefits everyone, and not just the few. Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good use the following to explain Common Good: “We express our understanding that rising tides should lift all boats – we are better off individually when all are better off as a whole.”

Ø Political Authority has the role of defending and promoting the common good. Political leaders at all levels of government should ensure that each person has access to the resources needed to lead a truly human life: “food, clothing, health, work, education and culture, suitable information, the right to establish a family, and so on” (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1908). These needs are referred to as basic human rights.

Ø Human Dignity is demonstrated in the practice of the Great Commandment: we are to love God and our neighbor as ourselves. We share the same need for love and respect as the homeless, illegal immigrants, prisoners, and sufferers of AIDS.

Ø Human Solidarity means that we are to think in terms of friendship and charity toward our brothers and sisters in society. Solidarity gives us motivation to act for justice and to promote generosity, inclusion, tolerance, concern for the environment, and to break down barriers that prevent these actions.

Over the exit doors of St. Isidore Parish in Chicago, the words “SERVICE ENTRANCE” are posted as a reminder that our work is just beginning as Mass is ending. The belief that we are all God’s children has motivated the Church, the Body of Christ, for centuries to perform works of charity and justice. Sometimes it seems as though there are injustices that are too complex. But we are called to be faithful, not necessarily successful, and we are strengthened and guided in this work every time we gather together as the Body of Christ to celebrate Eucharist.

Discussion Question:

Albert Einstein is quoted as saying, “The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.” What problems do you see in your own community that trouble you, as a person who is concerned with justice?