Reflecting on the phrase 'do this in memory of me,' it is essential for us as Marists to understand that our participation in the Eucharist goes beyond receiving the body and blood of Jesus. As Christians, we are called to actively partake in the saving action of Jesus Christ. This requires us to embrace the fullness of our faith and respond to Jesus' call to take up our cross and follow him. Just as Marcellin Champagnat, Jean-Maree Chavoin, Francoise Perroton, and the Virgin Mary exemplified the way of Christ, we too are called to model Jesus in every aspect of our lives. This means making time to nurture and cherish our relationships, guiding our children through life's challenges, prioritizing the sacredness of our marriages, and engaging in acts of charity and service towards those in need. Moreover, prayer, both personal and within our families, should be the lifeblood that sustains our Christian identity, permeating every dimension of our existence and reminding us to include God in all that we do.
But this is not easy to do. It is quite difficult. Like the Beatitudes which prioritises difficult parts of life. Like “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness†or “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against youâ€. Jesus calls us to step into those parts of our lives which are most difficult. Jesus calls us to enter those parts of our life where we most struggle. Where life is messy. Furthermore, we are called to not do this alone. There are Marists and Christians also called to do this same. But, as a father or mother of 3 children this can be very difficult. The demands of work to pay the bills puts pressure on us even before we get home from work. When we get home our partners call us to take care of the kids in ways, we may not be comfortable with. Like helping children with homework or mentoring them as they go through the emotional Rollo coaster of the teenage years. We are called to be more fully present in the dark and difficult times. But this is not simply offering advice. With making statements to our kids like “start your assignment earlier†or “go to bed earlierâ€. Rather, we as parents are called to share our brokenness with them. Our woundedness. The parts of our lives where we struggle. This is Christ like. It is Christs wounds that help to transform our worlds. It is the same with the relationships we form our children and our loved ones. We are called to help each other. Not simply to offer solutions, but to show how to live more fully and more deeply through the struggle of our lives.
By living out this pattern of following Christ, we authentically respond to Jesus' invitation to 'do this in memory of me' and embody the spirit of Christ in our daily actions. As Marists, we recognize that the Eucharist is not just a momentary ritual but a transformative experience which calls Christ to live inside of us. Through Jesus living inside of us we are more able to be active participants in the mission of Christ. Through our words, deeds, and relationships, we have the opportunity to carry on the work of Jesus, reflecting his love, compassion, and mercy to the world. May we continually strive to live as true disciples, drawing inspiration from the examples of Marcellin Champagnat, Jean-Maree Chavoin, Francoise Perroton, and the Virgin Mary, and dedicating ourselves to the service of others, the nurturing of our families, and a deep and abiding relationship with God through prayer. In doing so, we bear witness to the transformative power of the Eucharist and contribute to the building of God's kingdom in our own lives.
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