Everything in Our Lord’s life reflected His self-emptying by which He saved us from sin and death. By “self-emptying”, St. Paul refers to Jesus taking the “form of a slave” and “obediently accepting death” on a cross (cf. Phil 2:6-11). And, on the night before He died on that cross, Jesus took bread and wine and gave it to His disciples as His body and blood in the Holy Eucharist as the first “Holy Communion.”
The Eucharist exemplifies Jesus’ self-emptying, by which we are filled with His grace and blessings. And, Jesus’ work continues today through HEAL’s mission in Akpim and Umuagwu villages in southeast Nigeria. On Easter Sunday, Jesus gave Himself in First Communion to an 10 year old boy named Chinonso, who, in receiving the sacrament, has taken a big step in his own formation.
HEAL works to form Servant Leaders (Mt. 20:28) among poor and marginalized rural village children. The virtues of servant leadership are requisite for becoming the saint Our Lord calls each of us to be. Chinonso and the children of BOMCA and MENPS are being educated and formed to be SAINTS in response to the call of Our Lord to be servants. And, the Eucharist reveals this service.
Whether I was peeling palm fruit with Chinonso or playing games, like musical chairs, with him and his friends, I found him to be well on his way to becoming a great leader in his community and nation. Some children, even very young, have a notable quality about them and Chinonso definitely fits that bill. I thank the MOJ sisters for setting the example for him and the others.
Of course, even as Jesus gave of Himself freely, there were costs associated with His public ministry. Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna, all who were healed by Christ, provided for the Apostles out of their means (cf. Luke 8:1-3). Even at Mass, if the material elements of bread and wine are missing, we wouldn’t have the Eucharist! The bread and wine represent the Church’s contribution.
So, HEAL must have the resources to continue! Please give out of your means so Chinonso and his peers have the “bread and wine” to make Jesus present in their lives now and into the future!