Our first reading from the second book of Kings and our Gospel reading speak to us of miracles. The miracle of the multiplication of loaves. In the first place, with the prophet Elisha, and in the second place, with Jesus Himself. And yet, an even greater miracle will be occurring on this very altar in just a little while. The bread and wine on that altar will be changed into the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ.

An unfortunate fact is that only 30% of Catholics today believe that this miracle of Transubstantiation actually takes place when the priest, Fr. Ray, says the words of consecration over the bread and wine. The other 70% believe the bread and wine to be either "symbolic reminders" or just a "spiritual presence" rather than the Body and Blood of Jesus. This, in turn, has fostered an irreverence towards the Holy Eucharistic and the celebration of the Eucharistic Liturgy: the Mass. Callous and lackadaisical participation in the Mass; a disuse of genuflecting to the Holy Eucharist reserved in the Tabernacle; a tremendous drop in the practice of periodic confessions; etc. And this irreverence is not only on the part of some laity but also on the part of some priests and deacons.

Yet, I can't say we shouldn't have expected this. And I'm not so sure that all those 70% are culpable for their actions and beliefs. Eucharistic theology being taught by some of the clergy is down-right heretical. Part of this, I suppose, is a result of the society and culture we live in. We are inundated with "isms" that are ill-fitted for miracles and spiritual transcendence. Materialism, rationalism, naturalism and utilitarianism. We seem unable to handle much more than what can be seen and reasoned. That which is spiritual, explained only in supernatural language and is not concerned with utility but with sanctity, has somehow become foreign to modern man and deeper realities have become suspect. Many do not believe in the biblical miracles we heard in today's readings. And if all this is so, then not only will the Real Presence and Transubstantiation seem improbable to us, but also creation by intelligent design, a need for redemption, the resurrection, personal sin and inevitably grace will seem so as well.

It is wonderful that our Eucharists have become more immediate, understandable and more participatory since Vatican II. But by making the Mass more understandable, we are all brought to an embarrassing realization that the Mass, if we actually believe what it proclaims, is UNCOMFORTABLY MIRACULOUS!

If Jesus has truly given Himself in the Eucharist, He is doing something far greater in our midst than Elisha's feeding of the two hundred with twenty barley loaves or even Jesus' own miraculous feeding of the five thousand. What we will find in subsequent passages in the 6^th chapter of John's Gospel is Christ's own promise that He WOULD become our very bread, the Bread of Life. IN FAITH then, we hope that this promise is not some mere human symbolic projection. No, we are truly witnessing here, and at every Mass, the Holy of Holies in our very midst.

Many may still remain skeptical, but for those who believe it, AWE is only appropriate. May the Holy Spirit fill us with the FAITH and the CONVICTION to believe and receive in AWE this most precious life-giving gift of the most Holy Eucharist. AMEN!