Today is the Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle. As I contemplated St Thomas (or "Doubting Thomas") and his famous words this morning at Mass, it hit me at what grace I have received - unlike Doubting Thomas, I have not seen God, but I have such enormous faith and trust in Him and His Church. No need for an explanation. A gift that can only be given by God Himself. I then thanked God with all my heart for the gift of His Church and the gift of the Eucharist. It always boggles my mind at how we can actually receive Jesus - Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity - into our own bodies. Jesus is actually present in us physically. It is at this time that I am always in awe of God. There have been so many times that I can really feel Him. It is such a calming peace that comes over me - even with the kids tugging on me and whispering "Are we done yet?", I am able to savor those few minutes of paradise on earth. I found a beautiful quote from one of our Early Church Fathers, John Chrysostom, that is a wonderful meditation on faith and the Eucharist: "Let us then in everything believe God, and gainsay Him in nothing, though what is said seem to be contrary to our thoughts and senses, but let His word be of higher authority than both reasonings and sight. Thus let us do in the mysteries also, not looking at the things set before us, but keeping in mind His sayings. For His word cannot deceive, but our senses are easily beguiled. That hath never failed, but this in most things goeth wrong. Since then the word saith, 'This is my body,' let us both be persuaded and believe, and look at it with the eyes of the mind. For Christ hath given nothing sensible, but though in things sensible yet all to be perceived by the mind. So also in baptism, the gift is bestowed by a sensible thing, that is, by water; but that which is done is perceived by the mind, the birth, I mean, and the renewal. For if thou hadst been incorporeal, He would have delivered thee the incorporeal gifts bare; but because the soul hath been locked up in a body, He delivers thee the things that the mind perceives, in things sensible. How many now say, I would wish to see His form, the mark, His clothes, His shoes. Lo! Thou seest Him, Thou touchest Him, thou eatest Him. And thou indeed desirest to see His clothes, but He giveth Himself to thee not to see only, but also to touch and eat and receive within thee." John Chrysostom, Gospel of Matthew, Homily 82 (A.D. 370).
I also love the quote from Justin Martyr where we first here of the Early Fathers speak of Transubstantiation by using the word "tansmutation": "For not as common bread and common drink do we receive these; but in like manner as Jesus Christ our Saviour, having been made flesh and blood for our salvation, so likewise have we been taught that the food which is blessed by the prayer of His word, and from which our blood and flesh by transmutation are nourished, is the flesh and blood of that Jesus who was made flesh." Justin Martyr, First Apology, 66 (A.D. 110-165).
Meditating on the Eucharist is such an enlightening experience. If you haven't read it yet, I highly suggest the book titled "Lamb's Supper" by Scott Hahn. Dr. Hahn always makes the scriptures come alive and with this particular book, you'll grow in a deeper appreciation for the Mass and Eucharist.
