Are relics superstition or supernatural?
On this Holy Thursday, we enter into the Sacred Triduum with the commemoration of the institution of the Holy Eucharist and the priesthood. This passage from Pope Benedict XVI on the Last Supper leads us to contemplate the Lord’s love for us in this gift of Himself.
“I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.” (Luke 22:15) With these words, Jesus began the celebration of his final meal and the institution of the Holy Eucharist. Jesus approached that hour with eager desire. In his heart he awaited the moment when he would give himself to his own under the appearance of bread and wine. He awaited that moment which would in some sense be the true messianic wedding feast: when he would transform the gifts of this world and become one with his own, so as to transform them and thus inaugurate the transformation of the world. In this eager desire of Jesus, we can recognize the desire of God himself – his expectant love for mankind, for his creation. A love which awaits the moment of union, a love which wants to draw mankind to itself and thereby fulfill the desire of all creation, for creation eagerly awaits the revelation of the children of God (Rom 8:19) Jesus desires us, he awaits us. But what about ourselves? Do we really desire him? Are we anxious to meet him?” -Pope Benedict XVI, Holy Thursday Homily 2011.
It is easy to place our desires on the wrong things. If we desire to enjoy a family vacation in Hawaii for a week, we may work long hours and extra days to save enough money to afford the trip. If we desire to be healthy then we may choose to eat fresh vegetables as opposed to fast food hamburgers and fries. If we desire to strengthen a friendship or relationship with someone then we may sacrifice things in our day to allow more time to spend with that person. The same is true for our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
We work extra hours to afford an expensive vacation yet may not find time to spend an hour in prayer with the Lord. We make time to go the movies or enjoy a dinner at our favorite restaurant with loved ones, yet do not make time to go to Mass. Pope Benedict XVI spoke three powerful words we would choose well to contemplate: “Jesus desires us.” Whatever our greatest desire is at this moment, it does not compare to the desire the Lord of all Creation has for you and to spend time with you. Do you want to spend time with Him? How much do you really desire Him? When taken into context regarding the time and effort we spend achieving our greatest desires in this life, is Jesus really a desire of our heart or is He an item on a weekly “to-do” list?