The Eucharist is a prophetic reminder that the human person is made for worship.
(Making Catholic Schools Eucharistic)
This weekend, we join with the Church throughout our nation and around the world in celebrating Catechetical Sunday. Those whom the community has designated to serve as catechists will be called forth at the 9:30am Mass to be commissioned for their ministry. And, I will ask God’s blessing on all parents who are present as well, praying that God may strengthen them in their resolve to share the precious gift of their faith with their children.
Catechetical Sunday is an important opportunity to reflect on the essential difference our faith makes in our lives and in the lives of our children. And, as we continue to join with all Catholics throughout our country in a National Eucharistic Revival, it is a good moment for all of us to reflect on the great gift our Lord has given us: his live-giving body which he offers us in the precious Sacrament of the Eucharist.
At the beginning of every school year, we are called to refocus our attention on the important work of educating and forming our children. Parents, teachers and catechists strive for excellence, teaching our children well in all of the subjects presented to them. And, we want to help them grow in their social skills and develop their many talents. We work hard to ensure that our children will succeed in their lives and contribute to society. That’s what every good parent and teacher strives to do.
But, our school and Parish Religious Education Program (PREP) must also be focused on the Eucharist, the “source and summit of our faith, as the Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us so powerfully. When we teach our children, we do so primarily to help them attain their final goal: eternal life with God in heaven where we will join with all of the saints and angels in worshiping God, joining in the heavenly banquet God has prepared for all his children. While here on earth, we anticipate this final goal in the celebration of the Eucharist, bringing our gifts to the Eucharistic altar, thanking God for all that he has given us and offering ourselves, along with his Son, Jesus, to our heavenly Father in worship and praise.
We live at a time – like so many times in the past including the time during which Jesus lived and preached – when so many have forgotten about or actually turned away from God. We live in a society that thinks it is in charge of the universe and doesn’t need God. Many among us don’t even think God exists. But we know that God not only exists but that he is intimately involved in everything we do. He has made us for himself and longs for us to acknowledge him as our loving Creator and living God.
As we begin another school year, we have many goals to keep in mind, especially helping our children prepare to receive the sacraments of reconciliation, Eucharist and confirmation. But, it’s always important to keep our long-term goals in mind and, indeed, the final goal, and that is – as I noted above – eternity with all the saints and angels in endless, joyful worship of God. After all, that’s why God made us. God, who is love, created us in love to live in love with him and one another. The Eucharist, the clearest sign here on earth of God’s life-giving love, is the foretaste of the heavenly banquet and we are called to appreciate that ourselves and teach our students about it. The National Eucharistic Revival has given us the framework in which we can all recommit ourselves as Eucharistic people, receiving our Lord in the Eucharist regularly and sharing the gift of its fruits with our children.
As we begin another school year, let’s do so with thanksgiving to God for this sacred calling and rededicate ourselves to ensuring that the Eucharist is, indeed, the source and summit of our lives.