Reflecting on the Olympics Opening Ceremony

As I watched the recent Olympics opening ceremony, I couldn’t help
but feel frustrated. The Olympics proposes to be a celebration of
human achievement, and the coming together of nations for
peaceful, mutually respectful competition. As such it stands as one of
the noblest events in our war torn and tumultuous world. However,
this year, a particular segment of the ceremony was neither
respectful or noble, it was in fact disrespectful and ignoble.

The Last Supper, as depicted in the Gospels, is a moment of
profound gravitas and loving intimacy. Jesus, knowing the suffering
that lies ahead, gathers with his disciples for a final meal. He breaks
bread and shares wine that were his body and his blood. It is an act
of complete sacrifice and service that introduces the sacrifice he will
make on the cross.

The hours following the Last Supper, culminating in Jesus bearing
the cross, are moments of immense suffering, both physical and
emotional. They are also moments of profound forgiveness and love,
as Jesus prays for those who persecute him and offers salvation to
the repentant thief. These events are central to the Christian
understanding of God’s grace and mercy. They are re-presented for
Catholics in the Mass.

To see it mocked on such a global stage was beyond appalling, it is
rightly termed sacrilege. When what is sacred is violated it is
sacrilege. It is very important that we know and name sacrilege
when we witness it. But, at the same time neither should we be
surprised. Jesus himself warned us that there would be times when
our faith would be mocked. In the Gospel we read,

If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.
If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own.
As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. – John 15:18-20

Perhaps this can be an opportunity for each of us to reexamine our
own approach to the Eucharist. Are we sufficiently recollect in
approaching Mass, appropriately reverent in our celebration of the
Sacrament, and genuinely grateful in response. Think about it, do we
really honor and receive the Eucharist as nothing less than the
source and summit of our faith?