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ARCHBISHOP BELTRAN

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August 29, 2010

The Good News...

           ...The Same — Yesterday,

Today and Forever

Living in Oklahoma where the state and the diocese are just over 100 years old tends to reduce one’s personal historical perspective. Last week, however, I participaed in the 400th anniversary of the Catholic Church in the neighboring Archdiocese of Santa Fe. Initially the Franciscans made the long and arduous trek from Mexico City to establish the Church in Santa Fe. They built the city and evangelized the native peoples. They encouraged more settlers to come join them and make their permanent home in this New Mexico.

At the 400th anniversary celebration, the descendants of the Pueblo people and the descendants of the settlers gave tribute to the many stalwart men and women of faith of the past. However, while the celebration rightly extolled the accomplishments of the past, it also celebrated the faith experience of the people of today participating in the ceremony. It was a festive, joyful celebration.

Every Sunday when Catholic people gather to-gether to celebrate the Eucharist, we too should have a festive, joyful experience. We too remember the past as a present reality. First, we go back 2,000 years to an upper room. There we see Jesus and His Apostles gathered around a table for their final meal together. It was their last supper but it was not the end. What Jesus did totally changed the human condition for all eternity. By His life, death and resurrection, Jesus redeemed us! He made it possible for us to re-enter the plan of God to share His divine life with us forever.

Jesus wanted us to begin living this new life now and not only when we die. By His sacramental presence in us, He wanted us to begin growing in faith, hope and love now. In this way we would be properly prepared to meet Him at the moment of death.  Therefore, at the Last Supper, as He was about to leave the Apostles, He took bread, blessed it and said: “Take My Flesh and eat It.” Then He took the cup of wine and said: “Take My Blood and drink It and you shall have life everlasting.”

During the Communion at the anniversary Mass in Santa Fe, as I held in my hand the consecrated Host, I looked intently at It and asked myself: “Is this truly the Body of Christ? Is this really the Lord Jesus? How can this, which was just a piece of bread a few minutes ago and still looks the same, how can this be the living Lord Jesus?” Moved by the grace of God, I immediately responded: “By the Power of God Alone.” Yes, only Almighty God Who is all powerful, Who is Creator of everything, only God through His Holy Spirit and with His Son Jesus can accomplish this! Then I asked myself a very human personal question: “Do I really believe this?” And, like Saint Peter himself, I replied: “Yes, Lord, I do believe for you have the words of everlasting life.”

The Holy Eucharist is truly the Most Blessed Sacrament because it is Jesus Himself. He is our Lord and Savior. He comes to us specifically to forgive us, to heal us, to strengthen and nourish us, to save us. He comes to bring us life, not just ordinary life, but life everlasting in heaven.

This great gift of God, giving Himself to us in the Eucharist, can never be fully comprehended on this earth. But it can be devoutly accepted in faith now as did the men and women of faith in the past because Jesus, the Lord, is the same yesterday, today and forever!