Recall from the beginning of Mass, when I asked you to name a favorite part of the Mass? Well, one of my favorites is the ritual during the Lamb of God song. During that time, the priest (me) breaks apart the large host. It is called the “Fraction Rite.”
The ritual comes from the four major aspects of what Jesus did at the last supper. That is . . . TAKE, BLESS, BREAK AND GIVE. That pretty well summaries our entire Eucharistic action.
What I like about that ritual is that it reminds me that I, too, am broken.
And we have all probably felt broken because of what has happened to us in life . . . a disappointment, a wound, the loss of a job, the news of an illness or disease or simply the burden of trying to get through a day . . . and it all feels SO HEAVY.
Probably like every one of us here, in a sense, we are all broken. That is, we have all done things that have harmed relationship with others, with ourselves and with God. There is a brokenness with our words or actions. That is also HEAVY.
Well, the man in the gospel story must have felt heavy of heart. In Luke’s account there are three man crucified. One is called the bad thief. He’s done wrong and is simply looking out for himself . . . when he wants Jesus to rescue him. But the other one is called the good thief. He’s obviously been convicted of a crime (that is, he got caught). He says, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
The good thief believes in Jesus. Maybe he met him earlier. Maybe he witnessed a miracle or a teaching from Jesus, we don’t know. But he doesn’t deny his sin. He doesn’t make excuses or rationalize his behavior. He simply asks to be with Jesus . . . meaning, being forgiven and being accepted.
Now there are some of you, who continue to disbelieve that Jesus (or God) could ever forgive you or accept you because of what you did, or who you are. So I want all of you to look at the Apostles Creed. It is on the inside of the back cover of the hymnal. Look at the end of the second stanza. It says that Jesus was crucified, died and was buried. Then here’s the zinger, He descended into hell, then rose on the third day.
Many have asked, “What is Jesus doing in hell?” There are many ways to look at that, such as he went there to free up those poor souls. But how I like to interpret it, is that by Jesus going to hell, he knows the depth of our own hells. He knows our brokenness. He understand the deep wounds that any of us have carried . . . and that there is NO sin, NO action, NO words that have ever come from you that Jesus doesn’t relate to, understand and accept.
[Instrumental begins]
Think about that. Think about your life. Think about the dark time in your life. Recall that awful action that you hope no one ever finds out about. Think about your lowest time. It is that knowledge of what we have done, or what has been done to us that the words of the good thief becomes our words.
Look at the words by opening up your hymnals to song #510. I want you to think of your darkest time, your heavy time as we sing those words together.
[All sing JESUS, REMEMBER EM WHEN YOU COME INTO YOUR KINGDOM a few times.]
[Instrumental continues]
The ritual I mentioned was my favorite, proceeds come just before the great response “Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the words and my soul will be healed.” You see, none of us are worthy because of our action. None of us are should be receiving this presence of Christ because we have it all together and have no problems. It’s the exact opposite . . . we are worthy not because we are good, but because God is good. We are loved and accepted not because we have it all together, but because God has it all together.
The power of the Eucharist is not a reward for good behavior, but is grace for the week ahead. I say, “Come to the Eucharist often! Come every weekend! Don’t miss!” = This is your energy source because you might feel broken this week. And you need all the grace you can get.
Pope Francis wrote, “the Eucharist is not a prize for the perfect, but a powerful medicine and nourishment for the weak.” (Amoris Laetita pg 11) In another place he says that the Church is like a field hospital. Let us in . . . to your pain, your wounds. Don’t suffer alone. Come and renewed.
[All sing JESUS, REMEMBER EM WHEN YOU COME INTO YOUR KINGDOM a few times.]