Finish It

     “Finish it. Finish all of it, later, please,” muttered Fr. Padilla.  As I stood at the alter, he gave me strict instructions.

“Yes, sir,” I said quietly.  He was referring to the gold challis holding The Precious Blood of Jesus.  I then brought the consecrated Host in a similar vessel down the two stairs toward the choir.

“You serve the choir over there,” he once again instructed.

“Yes, sir.”

I guess my Southern manners took over as I received specific direction from Fr. Padilla.  It’s sort the automatic response that always keeps me out of trouble.  I wasn’t in trouble; I was actually doing a very good sacred deed.  A Eucharistic Minister’s job is to perform the dutiful task of delivering Jesus to the members of the congregation of the Mass.  It is quite an honor. I take it very seriously. 

It doesn’t seem to matter those moments before the “Lamb of God”, I was trying to explain to my younger children why we shouldn’t slouch over the chair backs during Church.  I realized how distracted I was when I glanced back across the first few rows to see them looking at me.  Thank goodness, two good friends directly behind them realized they had the silent task of minding them while I was up on the alter. 

The Consecration of the Holy Eucharist is the “shock and awe” part of the Mass.  Somehow, some way, the Holy Spirit transforms earthly treasures of unleavened bread and simple wine into Our Precious Savior.  We believe Jesus rose from the dead. Comparatively, who are we to think He couldn’t transfigure to be placed in the cup and ciborium?

The cup with the Precious Blood rested on the alter awaiting transport. As instructed, when Father Padilla handed me the challis, I carefully brought it back into the sacristy of the alter.  His request for me to consume all of it refers to the duty of a Eucharistic minister to make sure nothing is left behind. Even the white handkerchief linens used to wipe the inside of the vessels are taken care of with special consideration that there are remnants of Our Savior within its fibers.

Is this superstitious? Some might say yes, most others do not.  It is simply respectful. It tells God that you appreciate the sacrifice He made in giving Jesus to us.  You could perhaps compare the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament of Holy Eucharist to the entire sacredness of Our Lord.  Brought to earth through completely supernatural means, He was served, then broken (as the bread is), and given to us completely as a resurrected savior.  His Blood shed to be used (or consumed) for our own edification and mercy.

It is a great deal of theology to be digested during a Mass where the human state of imperfection resonates through multiple distractions.  I see the shift that happens when the proclamation of the Holy Word of God ends and the Eucharistic prayers begin.

From a relaxed state of reception to an active part of continuation, we begin to prepare ourselves to receive from the table of our Lord.  Acknowledging our sinfulness (from which all of us start), to maintaining our calling as Christians, we are transformed by the Mass.  It doesn’t how we came into the building, we all leave blessed and fed.  Maybe we will remember how we got there. Maybe not. Regardless, God sees fit to meet us at the alter every time we show up. 

The concerns of our earthly existence are suspended for brief moment of encountering Jesus just as the disciples did during The Last Supper. Man, woman, or child is all invited to share.  Once, a person accepts the realities of what they are presented, they can receive.  Ignorance and poor aptitude preclude everyone until this point. We have all been there. 

This may seem a bit lofty for some woman sitting in the third row trying to make sure her child stand up instead of slouching, but it is just that-----heavenly.  For all I encounter at Church, He gives me more than I can receive until after this life. I peacefully choose to accept the gift, even if it means feeling less than worthy of its maker.  God blesses us. Every time, every place, every touch of every being, every crumb of bread and every drop of wine, every part of flesh and every molecule of blood.

“Finish all of it, please,” He begged our Lord on the cross.

He answered an eternally sacred, “Yes, Father.” Finish the redemption needed by all humanity for everything we had done or will do.  He allowed it to indeed be finished. Forever. Thank God.