"Who is she that comes forth as the morning rising, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, terrible as an army set in battle array?" - Song of Songs 6:10
We have just read the topic of the Eucharist our treasure. Let me ask this question first. What does treasure mean to us, something materially valuable (such as money, jewels, gold, or silver) that is hidden or kept in a safe place? Or something intangible such as a thought, experience, or feeling, that is very special, important, or valuable to us personally? I think, regardless of its material or spiritual value, the key is us. If we think it is important and has value to us, it is our treasure, but if we don’t, it will not be our treasure. Agree? This reflects what Jesus says in the book of Matthew. He said:“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it. So I would ask everybody here including myself, what are our treasures?
Have you ever heard that the great treasure of the Catholic Church is the Eucharist? I presume the answer is yes, right? Right, but why? It is because Jesus himself is hidden under the appearances of bread and wine. We believe, as the Catechism states, that “In the most blessed sacrament of the Eucharist, the body and blood, together with the soul and divinity, of our Lord Jesus Christ and, therefore, the whole Christ is truly, really, and substantially contained’” (CCC 1374). This is why the Eucharist, is not just a piece of bread, but the real presence of Jesus, who is our great treasure.
As we all know the outbreak of the coronavirus spreads very quickly, and is much like a plague. The Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong said on February 13, it has suspended all public masses on Sundays and weekdays for two weeks, including the Liturgy of Ash Wednesday, from February 15 until February 28 with follow-up measures to be announced..
Cardinal John Tong, the Apostolic Administrator of Hong Kong states, the decision is to avoid gatherings as the next two weeks will be a crucial time to suppress the coronavirus outbreak. He added: “I understand some of the church members may be disappointed. However, I hope everyone understands that this is not an easy decision. At this difficult time, everyone should not feel panicked. We must not only strengthen our trust in God, but also practice our love to neighbors. In place of attending Mass, I urge you to watch Mass online and to receive Holy Communion spiritually”. He also urged people to stay at home and care for the family so to practice the spirit of Gospel, faith, hope and love, and pray for each other. He said, through the intercession of Mary, our heavenly mother, May God listen to our prayers, so that the epidemic will disappear as soon as possible.
I have also learned from Facebook, at the last public mass many parishioners shed tears as they received Holy Communion. A priest even posted in a reflection saying that after he turned off the light in the Sanctuary, he stared at the tabernacle and through dimmed candle light he could not help but kneel down, bury his head in his hands, and fall into a deep prayer. Really, we don’t know how precious the Holy Eucharist is until we face the moment we cannot receive it in person. Am I right?
So, since we are still able to receive the Holy Communion here. Let us put forth our effort as the handbook says: “Every avenue of legionary action must be availed of to awaken knowledge and love of the Blessed Sacrament and to dissipate the sin and indifference which keep men from it.” Those legionary actions include home or hospital visitation, or even we, the legionary, can participate homebound services. And make effort to attend the daily mass and spend time in adoration etc. to increase our own love and appreciation for the Eucharist.
My dear brothers and sisters, in order to establish the reign of the Eucharist in all hearts, let us roll. Amen !