Lord, I Want to See!
May 29, 2024
Fr. John Riccardo
Brothers and sisters: When Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come to be, passing through the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made by hands, that is, not belonging to this creation, he entered once for all into the sanctuary, not with the blood of goats and calves but with his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls and the sprinkling of a heifer's ashes can sanctify those who are defiled so that their flesh is cleansed, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works to worship the living God. For this reason he is mediator of a new covenant: since a death has taken place for deliverance from transgressions under the first covenant, those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance.
Hebrews 9:11-15
“Lord, I want to see!” Bartimaeus says this to Jesus when the Lord asks the blind man, “What would you like Me to do for you?” (cf. Mark 10:46-52.) Bartimaeus’ words come to mind as we prepare to celebrate the Feast of Corpus Christi in general and these words from the Letter to the Hebrews in particular. Contrary to how the world thinks, faith is not blind but rather a way of knowing, a way of seeing all of reality which is much, much bigger than anything we can conceive.
Let’s start with the celebration of Corpus Christi. Later this summer in Indianapolis the Church in the United States will celebrate a National Eucharistic Congress. One of the reasons for this celebration is the dismally low statistic regarding belief in the Real Presence amongst Catholics. According to some surveys, somewhere around two-thirds of Catholics do not believe that Jesus is truly, sacramentally present, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity in the Eucharist. Many propose that the remedy for this is better catechetics – in other words, we need to teach people about this core truth of our faith.
Perhaps. But we in ACTS XXIX are of the mind that it’s not likely the case that Catholics haven’t heard this core teaching of the faith, though perhaps that’s true for some. It’s probably more likely that people have been taught this and simply don’t believe it. Why?
Maybe because it sounds absurd to our often overly scientific worldview. Now, don’t get me wrong: science is an amazing gift. And despite what is often taught, there is no conflict between faith and science, faith and reason. The Church, in fact, has been from the beginning at the forefront of science. This is because the Church sees creation as willed into existence by God, and so to know more about creation is to know more about God. God has authored two “books,” it’s often said. One is scripture, the other is creation. We should “read” both of them. Empirical analysis, however, is but one way of knowing.
There are, in a biblical worldview, things that are beyond our ability to see with the natural eye. The biblical truth is that reality is made up of so much more than we can see. The Eucharist, perhaps we could say, is simply the most intense expression of what is always true. Not just the bread and wine after the words of consecration but all of reality is always more than it appears. As you read this, wherever you are, there are far more persons in the room than you can see – angels, both good and fallen.
With regards to Hebrews, one of the comforting truths the Holy Spirit is revealing to us is that because of the Precious Blood of Jesus – the God-man – our Lord and our brother, that was shed for us on the cross on a real day, we have access to forgiveness, to a chance to begin all over again, to no longer be defined by our pasts – whatever might be in them.
It’s been said that in our current culture everything is permissible but nothing is forgiven. Thus, the cancel culture that is so prevalent. God, too, has a “cancel culture.” Thankfully, what He cancels are not people but sins. Not mistakes, or errors in judgment, but sins. Things we have done knowing what we were doing. This is startlingly good news! Let us ask the Lord this week for the gift of faith – spiritual sight – that we might grow in our awareness of what we’re doing when we receive Jesus in the Eucharist; that we might see how powerful His Blood shed for us is in washing away our sins; and look for opportunities to proclaim the wondrous news that we all can begin again.
ACTS XXIX Prayer Intentions
May 2024
For three missions in Vancouver, BC:
Rescue LIVE Revival
Presbyterate Retreat
Equipping Day for ordained and lay.
For the presbyterate retreat in the Diocese of Lincoln, NE.
For all bishops and priests throughout our country.
For all of our benefactors and prayer partners.
For protection upon Fr. John, our team, and all our families.