Through the Eucharist, Christ calls us to deeper unity with him

Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor.

A reflection on the daily readings, for the Memorial of Sts. Cornelius, pope, and Cyprian, bishop, martyrs, by Father Perry.

By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor

It is a bit disconcerting to hear and see in this letter to the Corinthians the problems and needed corrections which Paul notes. The divisions and factions among them had been noted before, but here once again they are mentioned. And these factions probably had to do with the wealthier who had more, and the less well-off.

It appears that these meals, which were Eucharistic but also regular meals, must have resembled a potluck meal in which people brought food to be shared. But it also appears that there were different quality of foods, and that apparently the wealthier brought better food but showed up early to eat it and not share it. They also were getting drunk.

So this agape, or “love meal” — which should have revealed Christ’s Eucharistic presence among them and united them — was failing to unite them, but rather emphasized their division, multiple factions, and neglect for one another.

Oh, this letter of Paul attempting to unite and heal this community certainly had its work cut out for it!

Jesus, on the other hand, once again encountered amazing faith where one would not expect to find it.

This non-Jew centurion had a trusted and valuable servant who got very ill. This particular centurion apparently cared deeply for the Jewish community because he even had their synagogue built.

The centurion asked elders of the Jews to go to Jesus to ask him to come to heal his servant, and Jesus agreed to do so. When Jesus was near to arriving at the house, the centurion sent word to him, saying —

“Lord, do not trouble yourself,
for I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof.
Therefore, I did not consider myself worthy to come to you; but say the word and let my servant be healed.”

Then he continued noting that he himself spoke with authority to his soldiers and his slaves, and they obey and do what he tells them to do. The centurion was convinced that all Jesus had to do was to speak and whatever he spoke would happen — even the healing of his servant.

And Jesus was “amazed” at this centurion’s faith, and even said so and even noted that he had yet to find such faith in Israel where such faith should have been in abundance; but it was not. And the servant was healed at Jesus’ word (one of the long-distance healings).

At every celebration of the Eucharist we utter those same words just before the Eucharistic Christ comes under “our roof” as we consume the Eucharist. And that Eucharist is meant not just to fill us with the love of Christ, but also to call us to a deeper unity and caring for one another in Christ, through Christ, and with Christ!