Let us remember the first gathering of the followers of Jesus after the master’s death. They were in the upper room, feared and worried and afraid of others. The whole world seemed to be against them. Suddenly they remembered the precious moment in which they fondly recalled of their last supper with their teacher. St. Paul described this well, “On the night Jesus was handed over, took bread, and after he had given thanks, broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes” (1 Cor. 11:23-26).
We do the same in this upper room set apart from the crowd and the world. In the Eucharistic liturgy and adoration, we come to a familiar and comfortable place to rest on the bosom of the Lord, like John at the last supper. A priest is to lift up bread and bring down God. This is the experience of the upper room.
I personally say a daily mass in my dorm room everyday. When I offer the body and blood of Jesus Christ, I see you walking down the quad from the upper room. I know I am connected and one with you as much as I am with the Lord. This is the experience of the upper room.
We are in the upper room now. God speaks to you, “Ephphatha!” But, only in the silence of the heart, God speaks. Only one sees clearly with the heart because what is essential is invisible to the eyes. Jesus invites us, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me for I am meek and humble of heart.” Let us gaze upon the Eucharist the meek and humble of heart through which we become what we are. It will be an oasis of peace in a frenetic world. As we gaze upon the Lord with the whole ourselves, we will understand St. Teresa’s exclamation.
“We are the Lord’s preferred dwelling place because our soul is a loved tabernacle.
He comes within me; by his presence I am a living Monstrance.”