Coherent or Incoherent

Making the Eucharist the center of our life

08/07/2023

Mt 14:13-21 When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, and he cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples approached him and said, "This is a deserted place and it is already late; dismiss the crowds so that they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves." He said to them, "There is no need for them to go away; give them some food yourselves." But they said to him, "Five loaves and two fish are all we have here." Then he said, "Bring them here to me," and he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up the fragments left over– twelve wicker baskets full. Those who ate were about five thousand men, not counting women and children.

Today I want to say a word about a fancy 25 cent word, namely, “Eucharistic coherence.” You may be thinking, “Uh. Wut?” It is the heart of the document on the Mass written by the U.S. bishops in November, 2021. Actually it was written by a friend of mine, Bishop Kevin Rhoades, who taught me canon law at Mt. St. Mary’s Seminary.

Unfortunately, the document was hijacked for political purposes and weaponized against Catholic politicians. While that was part of its purpose, that part was overblown and thus it overshadowed its true purpose, namely, how our whole life should revolve around the Eucharist. The Mass should be the central event and highest expression of our Catholic faith. And that goes for all Catholics, not just Catholic politicians.

The best way to understand the word coherence, for me at least, is to think of its opposite, incoherent. For example, you might say, “Fr. John’s homily this morning was incoherent.” Or, you may have said to your toddler when they threw a temper tantrum and started screaming, “Honey, your words are incoherent.” That is, to be coherent means your words are clear and cogent, they fit together well, and make good sense, and are easy to understand.

So, too, our life should reflect a “Eucharistic coherence” – our belief in Jesus’ real presence in the Bread and Wine should be clear and cogent. The Mass and the rest of our day should fit well together, seamlessly. And other people should see how a Eucharistic life makes perfect sense and want to join us. In short, is your Catholic life coherent or incoherent? Does your Catholic life sound like a toddler throwing a tantrum?

Let me give you some examples of how a Catholic can make his or her life more Eucharistically coherent. First, you should fast for an hour before Mass. The physical hunger should remind us that only Jesus can satisfy our deepest hunger, namely, for himself. You need the Eucharist more than food. Ordinary food helps us survive for 80, 90, 100 years; the Eucharist is food for eternity.

Second, go to confession if you have committed a mortal sin before you come forward for Holy Communion. This is the part that got political but it was meant for all Catholics. But it is always easier to point out other people’s faults, especially politicians of the other party, than look in the mirror and humbly confess our own sins. And if you can’t think of any sins, just ask your husband or wife, and they will be happy to help you.

Third, when you come into church, before you plop down into your pew, genuflect on one knee toward the Tabernacle. The Tabernacle is the elaborately decorated gold container housing Jesus, with the red vigil light always burning next to it. When you walk into someone’s home, you should always greet and acknowledge the Host before you sit on their couch.

Fourth, when you come up for Communion, receive on the tongue, or on your hands. If you receive on your hands, place the right hand below the left to make a throne for Jesus, the King. When the minister declares: “The Body of Christ,” you should reply, “Amen,” meaning, “I believe it!” And consume Jesus immediately, and do not carry him back to your pew.

Sometimes I have seen people walk away with Jesus in their hands, maybe because they were never taught what to do, and so are innocent. On several occasions, I have actually stopped distributing Communion, followed them back to their pew, and said sternly, “You must eat that.”

Notice that I keep my words simple and straight-forward and don’t say, “You should consume the Sacred Host.” Why not? Well, because that may sound incoherent to them. And by the way, if you see someone else do that, you can also gently remind them that Catholics must eat the Eucharist immediately.

And fifth, some people are taking Communion after Mass to family and friends, who are home-bound or sick. And that is a beautiful ministry, and I am glad people do that. But please keep two things in mind. (1) You should go immediately after Mass to take Communion to the sick. You should not run errands and go later in the day. You cannot carry Jesus around with you all day in your car or in your pocket, like I take my dog Apollo with me where I go.

And (2) you should purify (meaning clean) the small gold pix with a little water and drink the water. That way, no small particles of the Sacred Host is left in the pix. Have you noticed how we priests carefully clean the chalice and ciborium right after Communion? Do the same. These are some examples of Eucharistic coherence.

By the way, did you notice the subtle Eucharistic coherence in the gospel today from Mt 14? Right before Jesus multiples the loaves, he uses the same four words and gestures that he will at the Last Supper, the first Mass. He takes, he blesses, he breaks, and he gives. Those are Eucharistic words.

Matthew is trying to help us see this miracle of multiplication is a foretaste of the Mass when Jesus feeds the world. In other words, there is a Eucharistic coherence ringing in the whole Bible, and you can hear it from Genesis to Revelation. That same Eucharistic coherence should echo in our lives, from beginning to end.

Praised be Jesus Christ!