On Sunday at Mass, I was sitting in the pews when I was sort of thunderstruck by an theological thought.  It was the Offertory of the Mass, and I was praying as I always do, offering my “time, talent, and treasure” upon the altar, so that all of my little measly gifts could be united with the sacrifice of Christ.  I know it must please Our Lord that I offer to Him all that I am and all that I possess; He must think I’m very cute.

But, then the thought struck me.  Our Lord doesn’t just say, “Thank you” to my offerings and “You’re welcome–I know that I’m the most powerful Being in all the universe” to all my thanksgivings.  Rather, Christ ups the ante, so to speak.  Rather than simply receiving my gifts, He makes Himself present through the priest and words of the Eucharistic prayer and opens for us the veils of time, inviting us to be present at His eternal sacrifice.  He receives my gifts offered up, which are really gifts He’s given that I’m offering back, and then looks at my from the Cross and says, “This is my body, given up for you.”

“Thank you for your gifts, Katie.  Now, receive My life laid down for you.”

Whoa.  Who is this God, who gives all to us and then receives our thanksgiving and gives us His life in exchange?  How can I receive Him, when my pride bids me say that He’s already given too much and put me highly in His debt?  Jesus, I love you.

So, what to do with this amazing reality of a God who meets our gifts and our love with His life laid down.  Well, I can go out and do the same.  But, I don’t have the strength to give my life for others, so I need His grace, which means that I need the Eucharist (among other Sacraments).  It sounds a little trite, but Jesus in the Eucharist really is the source and summit of our Christian life.  He gives me His life and invites me to do the same, but I’m too weak, so He gives me His life.

Lord, I am not worthy that you should come under my roof but only say the word, and my soul shall be healed.

(Note: for non-Catholics reading this blog, we do not believe that Jesus is dying again in the Mass; rather, His sacrifice, being an eternal act because He is an eternal being, is present to us if we so choose to receive it through the Eucharist.)