“My friend, move up to a higher position.” (Luke 14:10)
Every day, all around the world, Jesus sets a banquet for his people. Every day, he invites each of us to take up a place of honor. It’s the banquet feast of the Eucharist, and Jesus is our host.
So when you go to Mass tomorrow, close your eyes and imagine the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. Picture yourself there, seated at table with “countless angels in festal gathering, and the assembly of the firstborn enrolled in heaven … and Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant” (Hebrews 12:22-24). See what kind of effect this has on your experience of the liturgy!
Here is a story of what can happen at Communion. A young woman was in deep sorrow over circumstances in her life. She knew that she should try to fight the thoughts of negativity and hopelessness in her mind, but it seemed impossible. She struggled through most of the Mass, but to no avail. As she rose to go to Communion, all she could do was pray: “Jesus, deliver me from the hand of the enemy. Jesus, deliver me from the hand of the enemy.”
When she returned to her pew, tears began to fall from her eyes. She buried her face in her arms and wept silently. Suddenly, she felt as if a great weight had been lifted from her shoulders. Her challenges remained, but the hopelessness was gone. Jesus had taken on her burden. He had allowed the dam of sorrow to be broken and let her weep tears of freedom. Now she could face her life with new hope because she knew that Jesus was with her.
This is the glory of our God: he invites all of us to his banquet table. Whether physically, spiritually, or emotionally, we are all poor, lame, or blind (Luke 14:13). No matter how tough our exterior, we all long for peace and healing. These are the gifts that Jesus wants to shower on us every time we receive communion. So don’t be afraid. Jesus is with you!
“Lord, I approach your throne with humility and hope, knowing that you wait for me. Come and set me free so that I can know joy in your presence!”
Philippians 1:18-26 Psalm 42:2-3, 5