The main reason we come to Mass is to receive the Eucharist, which is Jesus Himself. Jesus Christ present in that consecrated Host is the center of our Catholic religion. So, we come to receive Jesus. Jesus said that whoever receives Him receives the one who sent Him. God is coming to us during each Mass. That’s why each Mass is a special celebration. We come and pray, bow, genuflect, and adore Jesus in the golden monstrance or in a beautifully decorated tabernacle. I think that it is easier to recognize and receive God in that Host than to recognize Him in another person. And Jesus said, “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.” There are divisions even among us Christians. We come to worship together, but at times we are angry with each other, we hold grudges, don’t speak to each other, sometimes we refuse even to exchange the sign of peace. Today Jesus is very clear -- whoever receives you, receives me. We wouldn’t reject Jesus present in the Holy Eucharist. However, we are very quick in judging and rejecting another person. We want to be well received by others and at the same time, we need to embrace, forgive, love, and receive another person. Because that is also a way we receive Christ.
