Make 40th anniversary time of renewal, recommitment

My dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ

 

This August 22nd is the celebration of the principal patroness of our diocese: The Queenship of Mary. As I think of this beautiful feast in honor of Our Lady and the maternal role she plays in the life our diocese, I am reminded that this coming November 19 will mark the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Diocese of Metuchen by then-Pope, now St. John Paul II. A remarkable milestone in the life of our “young” local Church. We continue to build upon what has been given to us. It is “our turn,” so to speak, to be the workers in the Father’s vineyard. 

As I travel around to our parishes, I so enjoy being with you all. I do notice, as I am sure you do, too, some are missing from our Eucharistic liturgies. Perhaps it is summer vacations, or maybe some have not returned after the pandemic restrictions. I pray that others have not slowly drifted away. The Sunday Mass, where we worship the Father in Spirit and Truth — listening to His Holy Word and receiving Jesus’ Body and Blood — is the life source of our Church. On these visits, I also cannot help but think of those generations who have gone before us and worshipped in those same pews and offered Mass at the same altar. I always say a prayer of thanksgiving for them and ask their intercession for us, too. As we know, the Church is not a society of the perfect, but a community of sinners redeemed and continually sanctified by the Lord’s grace. This is why we need the Eucharist on a weekly, and even, if possible daily basis. This is why I am so grateful to see so many of you at Mass and let us pray for and reach out to others who are not here yet.

It is a blessing that these past few weeks at our Sunday Masses, we have been hearing the Gospel readings from the Bread of Life discourse. The Eucharist is so important that the Church’s liturgy gives us these extended weeks so that we can properly reflect on this most important gift the Lord entrusted to His Church. In any relationship, sometimes we can take a person for granted in our life. It doesn’t mean that we don’t like the person. It can simply be that we just get so used to them being around we take them for granted. Unfortunately, this can happen with our Lord in the Eucharist, too. This is why we need continual renewal in our devotion and love for the Lord — never forgetting He is the principal relationship of our Life. He is the Lord of our life!

Jesus came down from heaven. The Eternal Word, God Himself, came down to us on earth, and by his birth, death, and resurrection, won salvation for all people, for all times! As part of His enduring love, He establishes the Eucharist at the Last Supper. He didn’t want to leave us alone, on our own in the world, but wanted to remain with us, always. He didn’t have to do this, as salvation would already be won for us by His death and resurrection, for all times, offered to all people. But He wanted to have a continuing presence, a continued personal relationship with each of us in an enduring, abundant way. Hence, Jesus leaves us His Eucharistic presence. He came that we might have life!

Jesus built on the Old Testament theme of Covenant, and He ratifies this bloody sacrifice. We read about this Old Testament covenant, or sacrifice. Moses takes the blood from the animal sacrifice and sprinkles it on the people and the altar. In those ancient times, the animal’s blood offered in sacrifice was believed to be that which gave the animal life. As an animal was offered in sacrifice, they believed that the blood which ebbed out of the animal, was its very life being poured out in atonement for their sins. Blood was believed to be what gave life to us and all living animals. As the blood flowed out, its very life was being poured out.   

When Jesus dies on the cross, and He is lanced with a spear by the guard, blood and water flowed out of His side. Jesus, now pours out His own blood to redeem us, atone for our sins, once and for all. We believe that Jesus’ very life is poured out of Him on the cross, which is the life of God Himself, therefore this sacrifice is able to reconcile us to the Father, taking away our sins. And with His death and resurrection, the Gates of Heaven are opened for all people, for all times.

Yes, Jesus’ death and resurrection are the very foundation of our Christian life. Every week, or every day, that’s why we celebrate the Eucharist, to recall and actually participate in that pouring out of Love itself for us. In baptism, we were incorporated into the Body of Christ; we became members of His Body, the Church. In the Eucharist, we are transformed and changed, as in my relationship with another person, I am only changed by them through being related to them. If we never see someone, that person doesn’t affect or influence us. That’s why we come to the Eucharist each week or as often as we are able, to receive the Eucharist, and be transformed, changed, by His love. That’s why Eucharistic Adoration is made available as often as possible, and our churches are open for personal prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.   

Our 40th anniversary is a good time for us to reflect on and pray over our own devotion to the Eucharist. It is a time for renewal and revival of our local Church. All renewal starts personally. Therefore, a personal examination of conscience of your relationship to the Holy Eucharist is a great place to start celebrating our anniversary. Ask yourself these questions. Do I ever take the Eucharist, and Jesus’ presence in it for granted? Do I make time to pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament? Do I show reverence for Our Lord by genuflecting to Him upon entering His presence and leaving Church? Do I prepare myself to receive the Eucharist and properly make an act of thanksgiving after receiving Jesus?  Do I draw closer to Christ by reverencing Him, listening to Him, and receiving Him in the Eucharist with fidelity?    

Just think, what a gift we could make to the Lord by recommitting and deepening our commitment to Jesus in the Eucharist. I cannot think of a better gift to say thank you for our 40 years as a diocese as we ask Him to help us to repent of any of our faults and sins and to strengthen our Church for a brighter, future day for each of us, our families, our parishes, diocese, and world. Transformed by the Eucharist, we will spread His love through our words and deeds, making our diocese over in the image God Himself wishes it to have.

The Church in the United States is planning a Eucharistic Revival, a three-year process of renewal. I am one of a group of bishops who serves on a planning committee for it, working with lay faithful, clergy and religious throughout our country. I am sure these initiatives will bear good fruit. We have a wonderful opportunity to begin the renewal process with our upcoming observance of our 40th anniversary as we thank God for His love for us and the beautiful gift of the Eucharist, He has entrusted to us.   

I am blessed to have been brought to this journey to heaven with you. I really did not know much about the Diocese of Metuchen when I arrived five years ago, but I have learned each day how blessed I am to be on this way with you. Thank you for all you are and do. Know of my love and prayers for you. May our 40th anniversary year be a time of renewal for us, and of recommitment to our Lord in the Eucharist who is always waiting for us!

God bless you all.

With renewed best wishes, I remain

Yours in Christ,

Most Reverend James F. Checchio, JCD, MBA

Bishop of Metuchen