Members of the Lawyer’s Guild of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland spent about two hours on March 20 socializing, praying evening prayer, enjoying a simple soup, salad and sandwich meal and listening to a Lenten reflection from Bishop Edward Malesic. The group gathered in the diocesan Cathedral Square Plaza offices.
Daniel Thiel, second vice president of the Lawyer’s Guild, introduced the bishop.
(See photo gallery above.)
“I was told I could discuss any topic,” the bishop told the group. “I decided to talk about the Eucharist, our source and summit.” He said the topic is timely because of the ongoing, three-year Eucharistic Revival.
A recent survey shows that 70% of Catholics don’t believe that the bread and wine used for Communion become the body and blood of Jesus during Mass. Instead, they believe the bread and wine used in Communion are symbols of the body and blood of Christ.
“The great exchange of heaven and earth takes place in the sacramental meal,” he said. “Heaven and earth kiss on top of the altar.”
Jesus gives himself to us in the unbloody sacrifice of the Mass, the bishop said. “It is a great exchange of love and that is not possible without sacrifice.” He said Christ continues to offer himself to us in every Mass.
He recalled the words of Scripture in which John said, “He who eats my body and drinks my blood will have eternal life.” However, some of the early Christians had difficulty with that and left the Church, he said.
Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection cannot be separated, Bishop Malesic said. “We have a God who is so loving that he shows us the depths of his love through his death and he returned to us in the resurrection.”
In the Eucharist, Jesus unites us to him sacramentally as he mingles his flesh and blood with ours in the transubstantiated bread and wine we receive from the altar.
Bishop Malesic shared some insight from Australian Archbishop – now Cardinal -- Anthony Fisher about Eucharistic adoration and the importance of full, active participation. He said God summons us to stillness for quiet adoration. During important times like the annunciation, Jesus’ birth, transfiguration and his passion, only a few people were present.
According to the cardinal, contemplation involves all the senses providing us an opportunity to let ourselves be immersed in the Mass and the Eucharist as we ponder Jesus’ sacrifice. “We encounter a man whose love is so total that he gives it all to us,” he added.
In each Mass, the bishop said Christ, the high priest, offers himself at the altar through the priest. “At the Eucharist, we hear the silence of eternity,” he said, noting Jesus invited his disciples to stay and watch with him (on Holy Thursday).
Our prayers are mingled with those of the great priest, the bishop said.
He also shared a short video, “The Veil Removed,” that focused on the Eucharist.
The program ended with a brief question and answer session.
The bishop also encouraged attendees to learn about and participate in the Eucharistic Revival.
While in Rome earlier this month with a group of seminarians, he recalled what Pope Francis told the group during a private audience.
“Listen to the Holy Spirit, walk with everyone and witness,” he said. The pope told them as Catholics, we can’t keep our faith to ourselves or keep it behind the church walls. “We must share it and invite people.”
Thiel also reminded the group that the Lawyer’s Guild will have its annual Red Mass on Oct. 6 in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist.