Commentary

The Eucharist: his sacred heart set on the highest hill

Built in the 19th century, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Paris, more commonly known as “Sacre Coeur,” stands as a sign of God’s love on a hilltop over the “city of lights.”

The beauty and majesty of its structure overshadows the reasons for its construction. Perhaps its beauty and majesty is meant to serve as a magnet for the faithful to come and adore the one who is the source of all light; perhaps its beauty and majesty is meant to be an invitation for the seeker to come and explore. The origin of the building of Sacre Coeur is buried in French history as a sign of reparation and expiation of sins which were committed during the French Revolution when the Church, the Eucharist and the other sacraments were defiled.

It might seem to the mind and heart of the contemporary reader that such things could never occur in our midst and in this day and age, but indeed they are still present today. Unfortunately, we have sometimes become immune to some of the more subtle acts of disrespect which unknowingly occur each week. Every parish has to struggle with the issues of reverence, silence, dignity, decorum, dress codes and behavior. It is necessary to repeat annually a catechesis to the assembly on the most basic elements of the Liturgy.

Any successful catechesis on the celebration of the Eucharist and on the reception of holy Communion needs to touch both the mind and the heart. For as our mind grows in the appreciation of the Eucharist, so then will our hearts lead our bodies to appropriate ways to dispose our selves to celebrate with reverence the sacraments of eternal life.

The Second Vatican Council, in #10 of the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, places the celebration of the Eucharist (with the reception of holy Communion) as the “summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed; at the same time it is the fount from which all the Church’s power flows.” As such, the Liturgy is nothing less than our participation in the paschal mystery of the Lord Jesus. As Saint Paul reminds us, “for as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes (1 Cor 11:26).” We know that in the gift of the Eucharist is the true and real presence of the Lord Jesus.

High on the hilltop, Sacre Coeur serves as a perpetual invitation to put behind them the sins of the past, walk in the newness of baptismal life, and to come to feast at the eucharistic table of the Lord. It seems then, that in every age of the Church and the Church in every place, the highest “hilltop” needs to be found and on it constructed a temple built of living stones to both give honor and respect to this central reality of Catholic life.

To this end, parish communities (or deaneries) might do well to once again revive and explore the former practice of “40 Hours Devotion” which was a part of our devotional past. By setting aside two consecutive days each year, apart from Holy Thursday and Corpus Christi, the opportunity to ponder the mystery of the Eucharist might be able to draw the faithful to newer levels of devotion to the real presence of Christ.

As individuals, we might examine our own lives and ask ourselves the question, “Am I prepared and properly disposed to receive the lord Jesus in holy Communion?” Have I fasted, am I free from serious sin, have I participated fully in the celebration of Mass with reverence and devotion, am I reconciled with my sisters and brothers, am I receiving Holy Communion reverently and in accord with the Liturgical Norms?

Each of us is meant to be and have a Sacre Coeur (sacred heart) where the Lord may dwell. Each of us has the responsibility to both cherish the sacrament we receive and to safeguard the sacrament which has been entrusted to us. Just as the people of France built this majestic and beautiful structure for the expiation of sins, we are to be mindful that God has called us to become a majestic and beautiful Church, the holy and beautiful people of God!

Father Robert Webster is the Diocese of Orlando director of the Office of Liturgy.

 

DIOCESE OF ORLANDO YOUTH TRAVEL TO WORLD YOUTH DAY…A PERSONAL ACCOUNT

Seminarian Dominic Buckley, right, serves for Father Miguel Gonzalez, vocations director for the Diocese of Orlando, as he celebrates a Mass of Thanksgiving July 8 in the chapel at St. James Cathedral on the eve of their departure for World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia. Click here...