The associated reading for this reflection can be found in your Every Sacred Sunday Mass journal or online here.
Laying on the hospital bed as nurses and doctors were rushing me to the operating room, I could hear their panic, their concern, and words of encouragement. Anticipating the birth of my firstborn son, “emergency c-section” weren’t the most comforting first words to hear as a first time mom. All I could hear was their concern for my baby and getting him out as soon as possible. As I laid there, all I could recall were the lights of the hallway and the operating room, but with my right hand firmly clutching the crucifix on my rosary calling out to Jesus and his mother
“Jesus’ body for mine, my body for my son. Mother Mary, please protect my son.”
In that moment, the fear of death or the fear of my son’s death escaped me. The only thing I had left to give was my surrender: I am laying down my life for my child, or my child will soon be in the arms of Jesus.
Today begins the Easter Triduum which takes us to the Last Supper where Jesus shares that His body is for us. Each time we enter into communion with Him, He allows us to be one with Him again and again. The Eucharist is our tangible form of Jesus giving His body up for us.
The Eucharist we share is our literal remembrance of Jesus' body given up to us without reservation, without hesitation or delay. He has given us a model to follow so that we may in turn do as He did for us.
May this Easter season shed remembrance on how Jesus has sacrificed for us and how we can in turn lay down our lives for others, whatever it may look like.
Let us pray today.
Jesus may your sacrifice never escape me. May I always use you as my model. Just like you have given your body for us, may I give my body in service and love to those around me. May I never forget your body, your tangible love for me. Amen.
Kathryn Sevilla is a special education teacher in San Antonio, TX. She loves finding the good and beautiful in Texas state parks with her husband. Her passions include eating local and laughing until she cries.