Less than two weeks ago, on March 22, in Boulder, Colorado, a disturbed young man entered a grocery store and proceeded to murder ten innocent people, who were going about their day, running errands, and doing their jobs. As has become increasingly common, after the initial shock and confusion which emanates from such random crime, we learn more details about the victims. Who they were, what they did, and how their death leaves a void in their family, their community and ultimately in our society as a whole. No one can deny the terrible tragedy of the Boulder shooting nor are there easy answers as to why this wanton taking of innocent life seems to happen more and more often with no warning. However, evil, pain, suffering, and death were not the only things to emerge from this awful crime. As authorities sorted through survivors’ stories, bystander’s videos, and eyewitness accounts, there also emerged a narrative of courage, love, and supreme self-sacrifice on the part of a police officer, named Eric Talley, who was first on the scene. He ran into the supermarket immediately to stop the threat and as he rushed into danger, he told others to run to safety. Moments after entering the store, he paid the ultimate price for his efforts to protect and serve those entrusted to his care as a first responder. Officer Talley immediately became numbered among the many brave men and women who are held in highest esteem as civic and spiritual heroes for their willingness to give up their body and pour out their blood in an effort to shield others from evil, suffering, and death.
The Boulder shooting, the victims it made, the bravery and kindness it brought forth, and the tragedy it imposed, mirrors in a smaller way the great conflict between good and evil, hate and love, selfishness and sacrifice that is present in tonight’s celebration of the Lord’s Supper. In our second reading, St. Paul recalls the words of Jesus to his apostles at the Last Supper, just hours before he gave himself up completely to redeem all creation. These are words we hear at every Mass and perhaps have grown numb to; but we should constantly remind ourselves to be in awe of what they mean. Our God, perfect in every way, took human flesh so that he could suffer and die for our redemption. Our God humbled himself so that he could say on this holy night, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” and also, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
Tonight we remember the fact that Our Lord gives us a gift which is a total and complete act of love. He gives his body to save and shield us from the evil of sin and everlasting death. He pours out his blood to protect us from the effects of our sins and to bring us back to life in the spirit. He holds nothing back to protect us, his defenseless brothers and sisters, so that we might have life and have it abundantly. I think we sometimes forget that before Jesus offered himself on the cross, heaven was completely closed to humanity. Until that saving sacrifice, sin had the upper hand and there was simply nothing we could do about it!
This gift of supreme sacrifice, this laying down of his life and pouring out of his blood that we might live and not die, takes place at every single mass which is celebrated each day, everywhere in the world. It shields us from the unrelenting hatred and evil that Satan is constantly wishing to inflict on us. The Holy Eucharist is a buffer that protects us from so many threats of sin, selfishness, and death.
But what does the Lord require of us, who can receive this bread from heaven each and every day? Knowing our complete inability to repay this heavenly debt, Jesus gives us an example for us to follow in tonight’s gospel. Those who have received the gifts of God, in the Eucharist and in the other sacraments, are not to lord it over other people or hoard the good effects for themselves. Instead, Christ shows us, by his own example, that we are to serve one other, humbly and generously. The more we have been blessed by God’s grace, his mercy, his patience, and his love, the more we must share these same things with others.
After bestowing the gift of the Eucharist on his apostles, he shows them how they are to repay such generosity. He removes his outer garments as a display of utter humility and a sign of shedding his prestige and status as teacher and Master. He then proceeds to wash the feet of each of his apostles, even as they protest. As he completes this beautiful gesture, he says, “Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”
Friends, our celebration tonight reminds us of a two-fold reality: Christ has blessed us with the complete gift of himself in the Eucharist, where his body and blood are given to us without any reservation or strings attached. He wants us to receive that gift readily, willingly, and often so we might be saved. But receiving is not the only action he desires. He also wants us to imitate him in giving ourselves to others in generous and humble service. We must never forget that his gift of the Eucharist must always be repaid by our own acts of love and sacrifice for others.
For most of us, we will wash the feet of others with simple, practical acts of virtue. Imitating Jesus in our lives will mostly consist of being patient with family and friends, forgiving others who have hurt our feelings or been inconsiderate, and also building up those around us with kind words and charitable thoughts. For most, laying down their lives will mean enduring unfair criticism or gossip, defending the reputation of others, forgoing certain things we are owed, and embracing the monotony of daily life with a spirit of love and prayer. Are we willing to accept this call to sacrifice and service?
But no matter who we are or what we will be called to give in remembrance of Our Lord, one thing is certain: every time we gather for the Eucharist we are cared for without limit, we are protected and redeemed by the body and blood of God, who laid down his life for us long before we became his friends, and we are sent forth to love, serve, and protect others with that same generous and humble spirit.
After Officer Talley died and the world learned his story, thousands of people, most of them strangers, pledged over a million dollars in gratitude for his sacrifice and to support his grieving family. How do we show God our gratitude for laying down his life for us? Don’t forget to thank God tonight for this incredible gift and every time you receive the Eucharist! Let us ask him to make our hearts more like his, so we will never hesitate to do all these good things in memory of him without counting the cost or complaining.
