Courtney McGrailDear Editor, Eucharist is a liturgy whereby we renew the Covenant that Jesus made between all members of the human race and our Heavenly Father, making us God’s adopted children.
Like any covenant that is ‘cut’ between two parties e.g. marriage, there are the terms, and a communal celebration whereby both groups celebrate the new relationship with a meal.
In more traditional covenant celebrations, a tender lamb or calf was sacrificed. Its blood was spattered on everybody present to show that they were now united like any family sharing the same blood. Then, while the celebratory meal was in progress, the Covenant Victim was taken away to be cooked. When it was ready, each person was given a small piece. Not to eat it was not an option, as this would show that one had rejected the covenant.
At the beginning of each Eucharist, we have to ask ourselves if, in the circumstances in which we find ourselves, whether we are trying our best to keep the covenant terms or not. Obviously, nobody is capable of loving one another as Jesus has loved us. So, people with vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, those who are married, those who are single, and those who are divorced, possibly with children from their second relationship, can only struggle to keep the New Commandment.
At each Eucharist, which is a renewal of the covenant, we each have to ask ourselves: ‘At this moment, am I trying my best to fulfil the covenant, given the situation in which I find myself?’
If the answer is: ‘Yes’ then, in correct covenant tradition, there is an obligation on each person who is party to the covenant, to share in the meal and receive the Host.
Yours etc.,
Fr Pat Seaver,
Farranshone, Limerick.