Our People

Year of the Eucharist - The Presence of the Lord

Homily given at the Catholic Education Office Inner West Region Mass, St Brigid’s Church, Marrickville

By Most Rev. Julian Porteous
Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney
1 March 2005

“Mane nobiscum Domine” – are the Latin words opening the Apostolic Letter of the Pope for this Year of the Eucharist. “Mane nobiscum Domine” – “Stay with us, Lord”. These words are those of the two disciples on the way to Emmaus who urged the stranger who had accompanied them along the way to join them for a meal in the evening.

This stranger was the Risen Lord, Jesus, though they did not realize it. He had joined in their conversation as their sadness about the crucifixion of Jesus and their perplexity about stories of the empty tomb and appearances of the Risen Lord, completely confounded them. They were confused and, burdened with their disappointments, talked over their struggles.

This stranger had entered their journey and engaged in their conversation. A rapport had been established, and the two friends wanted their newly met companion to join them for the evening meal. Later, they would say that their heart burnt within them, as he talked to them along the road.

This stranger had come to them in their confusion and uncertainty. He had chosen to share their struggles and reached into the depths of their hearts. He touched them significantly. It would have been his words, but I think it was also his manner – his interest in them, his willingness to listen to them, his warmth and wisdom; his patience and understanding; his kindness and availability to them.

This stranger they would discover – at the breaking of the bread during the meal – was the Lord. In the Eucharistic action he was revealed.

For this Year of the Eucharist the Pope has said that he is not looking for many special events, but rather a deepening, or using his word, an interiorizing of the faith of each of us in the presence of the Lord in the Eucharist.  In a word, it is his desire that we  come to know more profoundly the presence of the Lord – with us, on our journey, in the context and simple reality of our lives, in the gift of the Eucharist.

The final words of the Lord in St Matthew’s Gospel are “and know that I am with you always, until the end of time”. He was ascending to the Father. His earthly mission was ended, but he intended to be with us. Surely that was the thought in his mind at the Last Supper – “do this in memory of me”. Take the bread and say, “This is my body”. Take the cup and say, “this is my blood”. This above all else is the way I will be with you. He gave us a way, a means, by which he could be really and powerfully with us.

My brothers and sisters,
The Lord is really present with us. At every Mass the Lord comes. Silently. Humbly. Under the form of wafers of bread and a cup of wine. The bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ. We recite this truth so often and so freely that its immense reality may escape us.

When we come to receive Holy Communion, the minister says, “Body of Christ” and we say, “Amen” – yes. This wafer of bread is the Body of Christ. The Risen Lord deigns to come to me, “Lord I am not worthy to receive you”, but come “as I am”, in all my imperfections, in my frailties, my struggles and uncertainties.

And the cry of our heart is “Come!”. You want to come. You make yourself available to come. Come, because I am hungry for the “bread of life”. Come, because I need the comfort and encouragement of your presence within me. Come, for I need your strength to deal with the challenges of my life. Come, because I need your love, mine is so poor, so limited.

Come and be with me, for these few moments of intimacy when I can enter deep within myself and meet you there. Waiting in understanding and love.

This Year of the Eucharist is an opportunity to ponder the mystery of the Eucharist as being the means par excellence by which the Lord comes to us, is present with us.

But we know we can be with someone and we can be present to someone. We can stand next to a stranger in a crowd and in sense be with them. Or we can look with love and affection to a friend and be truly present to and with them. So it is with the Lord. We can attend Mass and be there in the Church, or we can desire with our hearts to be in deep and intimate communion with the One we love.

As teachers you can tell your students of the meaning of the Mass, give the correct theology, faithfully represent the teaching of the Church. Or you can share with your students what the mystery means personally. You can witness to them that your heart thirsts for God and longs for an intimate engagement with the presence of Christ. A presence that is realised in Holy Communion. It is the fire in your heart, the longing of your being, is what will touch the hearts of your students, and enkindle in them a desire to find the Lord.

The disciples were with the Lord, walking with him, conversing with him and they came to the end of their day’s walk. They urged him because they wanted him to continue to be with them: “Stay with us, Lord”. That same prayer can be on our lips this year in particular. As I journey along and I know you have joined me because of my faith, and you have spoken in my heart and through your Word, now I pray simply and humbly, “stay with me, Lord”.