On Christmas and Holy Eucharist(20220-12-25)

Introduction

Today we celebrate Christmas. In this sermon, I would like to show a bit how the Holy Eucharist is the continuation of Christmas.

1. God with us

On Christmas Day, we celebrate the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ at Bethlehem. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was made man. It is the Mystery of Incarnation. God the Son, true God, absolutely equal to God the Father and God the Holy Ghost, eternal, almighty, omniscient, omnipresent, creator of heaven and earth, without whom nothing exists, made Himself be an infant. St John says: “And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us” (Jn 1;14). The other name of Jesus Christ is “Emmanuel”, which means “God with us”.

The Emmanuel is born at Bethlehem. The name “Bethlehem” means “the house of bread”. By being born at Bethlehem, Jesus Christ indicated that He, God, would continue to be with us until the end of the world in the Eucharistic Bread. Jesus said: “I am the living bread which came down from Heaven” (Jn 6;51). The Holy Eucharist is Jesus Christ, really present with His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity, under the appearances of bread and wine. The Holy Eucharist, it is Jesus Christ who continues to dwell among men; it is Jesus Christ who multiplies Himself and makes Himself present in the whole world, among all nations. To be in front of the Infant Jesus in the crib of Bethlehem or to be in front of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, it is essentially the same.

2. To save us

The Name of “Jesus” means “Saviour”. God the Son came on earth to teach us the truth about God and the reasons of our existence. He came to expiate our sins by his sufferings and His death on the Cross. He came to save us from hell and make us be children of God. St John says: “As many as received Him, He gave them power to be made the sons of God, to them that believe in His name.” (Jn 1;12). Jesus came to give us eternal life.

But it is through the Holy Eucharist and Communion that Jesus gives to each one of us this eternal life. “If any eat of this Bread, he shall live for ever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh, for the life of the world” (Jn 6;52). Jesus comes in us to save us. He enlightens our intelligence to know God better. He helps us to regret sincerely our sins and to do penance. He helps us to love God above all and to love our neighbour as ourselves.

Because he loves us

God the Son made Himself be an infant in the crib of Bethlehem. He the Almighty made Himself be humble, weak and completely dependent on others, like any infant. Jesus wanted to depend on His Mother the Virgin Mary for his food, his clothing and all necessary cares. What a lowering!

In the Holy Eucharist, God the Son hides Himself under the very humble appearances of bread and wine. He makes Himself be completely dependent in the hands of the priest, like an object. What an even greater lowering!

It is out of love for us that Jesus lowered Himself so much. Because of this, let us mind not to think high of ourselves as if we were exceptional beings. God does not need us and He is perfectly happy without us. He loves us freely, He freely does good to us and freely share with us His eternal happiness.

3. Men’s welcoming

Dear Faithful, when the Son of God was born in Bethlehem, most people remained indifferent to this event, although it was the greatest one of Human History. The inhabitants of Jerusalem, although informed, did not even move. Similarly today, the vast majority of people have no regard for the fact that Jesus is really present in the Holy Eucharist. Not only pagans, but also many bad Christians. Jesus knew all this in advance. However, in spite of such indifference, He decided anyway to be born in Bethlehem; He decided to be really present in the Holy Eucharist. For what reason?

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, King Herod and a small number of wicked people tried by all means to kill Him. Similarly nowadays, there are people who are Satan’s minions and who attack Jesus in the Host with a diabolical rage. They commit sacrileges and such abominations against the Holy Eucharist that we cannot even name them in a sermon. Jesus knew all of this in advance. However, in spite of these crimes, He decided anyway to be born in Bethlehem; he decided to be really present in the Holy Eucharist. For what reason?

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, there were few people, humble and faithful people, namely the Blessed Virgin Mary, St Joseph, the Shepherds and the Three Magi, who welcomed Him with love as their God, their king and their Saviour. Similarly today, there are some people who pray with faith and love to Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, who adore Him as their God, their King and their Saviour, who receive Him in Holy Communion.

It is for them that Jesus accepted to suffer so much indifference and so many outrages. It is for them that Jesus was born in Bethlehem; it is for them that He gives Himself in the Holy Eucharist.

Conclusion :

Dear Faithful, let us be part of the group of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, the shepherds and the Magi. On this Christmas Day, let us go to Jesus with Faith, trust, gratitude and love. It is for us that Jesus Christ came to earth. It is for us that He is present in the Holy Eucharist. It is for us that He gives Himself in Communion.

Fr. Demornex