THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE EIGHTH DAY. The 13th and final reflection on Pope Francis’ 2022 Apostolic Letter, ‘Desiderio Desideravi,’ Latin for Jesus’ pre-Last Supper words: “I have earnestly desired [to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.”] [Luke 22:15] focuses on the significance of our weekly Sunday celebration. For past articles in this series on the three-year National Eucharistic Revival [this is article #42!] and the Holy Father’s Letter, visit our Parish website.
WHAT IS THE ‘EIGHTH DAY?’ Some ask why the Church changed the Sabbath Day to Sunday, and where did she get the authority to alter God’s Commandment. The simple answer is we did not change the Sabbath Day to Sunday; the Risen Lord, whom Saint Thomas called “My Lord and my God,” did! Since Apostolic times, the Church has continued to gather each week on Sunday: the day the Risen Lord first appeared to the Apostles; the day He Broke Bread with those two disciples on the Road to Emmaus; the day the Holy Spirit descended upon the Infant Church. With the old creation‘s sin and death finally conquered and vanquished by Christ, the first day of the week became ‘the Eighth Day’ or the first day of the new creation ushered in by the Risen Lord!
Thus, the pattern for us to follow was set! We start each week by gathering as One Body: the Church, so we can listen to One Message: God’s Word, and partake of One Meal: the Body and Blood of Christ, so that we can be sent forth as One Body. Then, having depleted the graces and strength we receive from Word and Sacrament, we return to be reinforced with another dose of heavenly grace as we continue on our earthly journey. And some people think they are just ‘fulfilling the obligation’ by ‘going to Mass’ and ‘receiving Holy Communion!’ The reality is: we are building God’s Kingdom on Earth … by sharing in the Bread of Angels, who came down from heaven to save us: the Bread of Life!
The Holy Father concludes his Letter by calling all Ordained Priests, who accept the great privilege and awesome responsibility to lead the Sacred Mysteries, to faithfully fulfill their duties. He reminds my priestly brothers and me to never stop learning why we do what we do, and to internalize and strive to fully imitate the Sacred Mysteries we conduct day after day. And he implores the people whom we serve to pray for and support their ‘spiritual fathers’ by also coming to a deeper knowledge of – and greater appreciation for – the Sacred Rites of our Faith.
Pope Francis then cites the primary place where all this truly comes alive: in the Eucharistic Prayer during which the Consecration takes place. He notes that, while most the Assembly takes part in the Eucharistic Prayer by their reverent silence and an occasional acclamation, the Priest who presides NEEDS their intercession so that he may fulfill his part. And he [and his brother Priests who concelebrate with him] must truly become what he renders by the gift of Ordination: he, too, must become the ‘Body broken’ and ‘Blood outpoured’ for the salvation of the world – which he cannot do without your help! So, as you rely on me and my brother Priests in our ministry, we rely on you and your prayers for us!
It was, and is, the hope of His Holiness – and mine – that his Letter, my reflections, and above all, this three-year National Eucharistic Revival, will help us all better know and live by the great gift of Eucharist, so readily available to us, week after week, even day after day, at holy Mass. Each one of us must ask ourselves: what will I do to better understand, participate in, and benefit from, the Sacred Mysteries of our Faith? How can I become a more attentive, more active, more appreciative member of Christ’s Body, His Church? What will I do to invite into – or welcome back – those who do not worship Sunday after Sunday?
One final plea: pray for more local Vocations to the Priesthood, especially from our own Parish and Diocese, so that the holy Mass can be offered in ways that we can more easily join in and understand. Pray for the health and stamina of the men who serve us now. And ask the Master of the Harvest to bring to eternal rest those who, while they lived on earth, fed us with food from heaven during their Priestly Ministry!
With God’s love and my prayers,
Very Rev. Michael J. Kreder, VF, KCHS