Why do we receive Communion right before Mass ends? Angelo Canta, SJ, reflects on how we’re sent from Mass to be the Body of Christ in the world. Based on the readings from the The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.
Why does the Mass end so quickly after Communion?
Hi I’m Angelo and this is my one minute reflection.
Sometimes after receiving the Eucharist, I want to just sit there and bask in the mystery. But every time, the Church hurries me out into the real world. Why is that?
On this solemnity of the most holy body and blood of Christ, we turn to the scandal and consolation of our faith. Not only do we believe that God became human, we also believe that that same God gives us himself to be eaten.
But the scandal and consolation does not end there. After receiving Communion, the church pushes us out the door so we’re not tempted to hoard that grace. That grace overflows. It implicates us in Christ’s justice. It says, if you really believe in what you have received, then go out to the world and be Christ by feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and visiting the imprisoned.
By receiving the Eucharist, we take on the awesome responsibility to become what we have received.
