With the continuing crisis in vocations, the reality is that the opportunities to participate in the Eucharist are declining. Fr Kevin J Murphy is a priest in a rural Australian diocese which has been in the news in recent days because the shortage of priests is becoming acute. His reflection today wasn't written to address that crisis albeit that in the future we might be forced more and more into finding new ways of "living our faith". It is a gentle reflection that invites us to transform every meal into a small 'e' eucharist — a time of transformation in our lives.

Seeing each meal as Eucharist with a small "e"…

"Listen, I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me." Rev. 3:20

There is no church law against having breakfast, or against thinking while you are having breakfast.

The experience of the transforming Spirit of Jesus Christ which you might have as you eat and drink at your breakfast (and at any other meal), in the context of a eucharistic faith, is a gift to be welcomed with gratitude and responded to in the way we live the life of the day, aware that we can be supported and guided by the friendly presence of Jesus Christ.

It is possible to experience this gift: try it and see.

For many, breakfast is a particularly opportune time to engage in this prayer, but any meal provides the basic ritual, if we care to see it that way.

Many people have breakfast by themselves, even when they live in a household with others. The breakfast "eucharist" can work quite well when you have it by yourself. If you are able to have meals with others who share your faith and understanding in this regard, so much the better. In the gospel according to Matthew (18:20), Jesus is reported as saying: "For where two or three are gathered in my name I am there with them."

During his public life in Galilee and Judea, Jesus put much emphasis on meals. This emphasis is reflected in the gospel accounts. As his disciples, we are influenced by this example-teaching.

One might ask: How can we know that the transformed and transforming Jesus is actually present when we do this? There are several answers: one is "theoretical", another is "practical".

The "theoretical" answer relies on the statements of Jesus in the Bible — some of which are quoted above.

The "practical" answer draws on experience, interpreted in the light of wise words by St Paul in his letter to the church community in Galatia (Gal. 5:23-23). "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. There is no law against such things."

The Spirit of Jesus Christ, the effective presence of Jesus Christ in our individual lives and in the life of a faith community, is demonstrated by the experience of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. As we experience these gifts then we have indications of the active presence of Jesus.

Another practical indicator is this: if a faith community strongly manifests these gifts of the Spirit, it will be a supportive, attractive and missionary community, holding its membership in faith and love, reaching out to and attracting others.

Faith communities that manifest these gifts will attract more members or inspire others to establish similar faith communities.

Especially if you feel isolated as a committed disciple of Jesus Christ, and if you feel deprived of regular, supportive eucharistic experience, then you might give serious consideration to incorporating a "breakfast eucharist" or something similar into your spirituality as a part of your daily prayer practice.

How does one have a "breakfast eucharist"?

First of all, there are no rules or fixed rituals or set prayers.

It is desirable that we come to the meal with a degree of recollection. Each person could have their own way of doing this.

One recommendation is that immediately prior to preparing and having breakfast we engage in some form of explicit prayer in a way that that suits our personal spirituality. During that prayer/reflection time it would be good to include scripture readings for the day (or Sunday of the week) as given in the Lectionary. This is a way of being connected with the whole Catholic, praying/reflecting Church.

As members of a universal Church, as Catholics, we develop our faith in relation with the whole Church of believers. This community connection is important because, as isolated individuals we can be in danger of moving away from the central realities of Christian faith, hope and love.

As we eat and drink we might continue to reflect on the lectionary readings of the day/Sunday and think about the way the scripture relates to the situations and challenges that arise in our daily lives.

In preparing breakfast we can call to mind how it is we have the bread (or whatever) and water (or whatever). All is ultimately a gift from the good God. Human hands have also contributed to the making of the food and drink. We can appreciate all the things that contribute to the value and goodness and enjoyment of the meal. (We might be in the habit of taking a lot of things for granted: for example, electricity and gas and water in the tap.)

It seems to me that this kind of breakfast (meal) is incompatible with commercial television, but soft background music could be OK.

There are changes from raw materials to food and drink on the table, and then changes within us from food and drink consumed into nourishment for body and soul. All these changes can be indicative of the transformative death and resurrection of Jesus — a transformative process that comes into us, changing us into people who are being brought into the dynamic reality of the Trinity God. With us and through us the sanctifying process is to extend to all people and to the whole of creation. Transformation is a key word.

We might include some summary prayerful phrases in our breakfast or meal routine, such as:

"Jesus, through you, with you, in you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and thanks and honour is to the great and loving God, for ever and ever. Amen."

Some sayings of Jesus might also regularly come to mind, such as: "I am the bread of life"; "I will give you living water"; "I am light of the world"; "I am the way, the truth and the life".

Over time, we can develop a breakfast (or meal) routine that suits our own situation, personality and faith. It is within that personal context that we give eucharistic, thanksgiving, meaning to our lives.

The word eucharist means to give thanks: thanks to the great God; thanks to the enabling Spirit; thanks to Jesus Christ for bringing transformation to the whole of creation, to all human beings and to me (us). It is our duty, our joy and privilege to give thanks.

As we eat and drink we might remind ourselves that we are in intimate communion with Jesus Christ, who is offering and bringing transformation to us, to all people and to the whole of creation.

In this communion we can realise our links with all others, especially with those who consciously participate in the transformation process of Jesus Christ. We are all one in Christ.

We need to become aware and conscious of these meanings for them to become more effective in our lives.

A first major stage in this transformation process happened in the Incarnation — the Son/God coming into the world as human — an authentic, integral part of creation. The central action of the transformation process happened/happens in the death/resurrection of Jesus. While the reality of the resurrection is complete in the person of Jesus Christ, for us and for the whole of creation the transformation is a continuing work. Saint Paul often writes about these truths in his letters.

Eating and drinking, with faith, even at breakfast, can remind us of these wonderful realities. And the reality is not merely in our minds: the actual, mysterious fact of transformation is happening here and now.

The power and dynamic of the resurrection of Jesus, the death/resurrection transformation process, now infuses the whole creation and certainly the food and drink that we have in our meals.

The "breakfast eucharist" is not the formal Eucharist as it is officially celebrated. What is described above is not a Mass. It is a way to help us to be consciously in communion with Jesus Christ, with those immediately who might be sharing the food and drink with us, with all those with whom we are connected in faith – indeed, by extension, with all people and with the whole of creation, so that being transformed we are being brought into the very life and love of God, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Let us become more conscious of this wonderful gift and give thanks.

Kevin Murphy, Ballarat

IMAGE CREDITS: The supporting images to this article have been sourced from various B&B establishments around the world. Clicking on the images will take you to the original source.

Kevin Murphy is a priest working in the Diocese of Ballarat. Readers of Catholica might be interested in a web-based service he provides which produces weekly liturgies for small lay-led communities which are without a priest. His website can be accessed at: www.giant.net.au/users/murphy/. You can also contact Kevin via email through the address he gives on that website.

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©2008 Fr Kevin Murphy

[Index of Commentaries by Fr Kevin Murphy]