Bread for the World

So, as the Basilica bells chimed, and gongs resounded, and voices of the liturgical choir and a full congregation proclaimed last night—“Christ the Lord is risen today.” I love the Easter Triduum at Notre Dame. Trom Fr. Tyson’s homily on Holy Thursday about how rich and poor alike “wash each other’s feet” in service, following the way of Christ at the last supper. To the celebration of the fullness of the Eucharist: entering the love of Christ’s suffering and death, so that by His resurrection, we might be life and love for the world. Okay, I apologize for getting a little too religious, but I don’t do so to exclude. Rather to include. I don’t care what you believe or if you believe, I think Easter still holds a truth for everyone. I wish I knew more about other traditions to show you more specifically how the idea transcends religious or cultural practice…but I have to go with what I know.

I think our communion hymn from Thursday illustrates this absolutely universal Easter message:
“Bread for the world: a world of hunger.
Wine for all peoples: people who thirst.
May we who eat, be bread for others.
May we who drink, pour out our love.”

Whether we believe we are loved by a Christ who suffered, died, and rose for us…or whether we believe we are loved by our mothers and fathers—we do have love to pour out for others. But with our love, we also must give bread.