The Great Eucharist of Creation

In the early church, the human person was seen as unique in creation, because humans formed a bridge that connected all the visible creation with that of the invisible. This bridge connecting the visible world with the invisible is seen, for example, in the Communion, or the Eucharist. “Eucharist” means thanksgiving, and in The Hidden Life Edith Stein beautifully describes how in celebrating it we
 
call all creation together to unite once more in praising the Lord:
mountains and hills, streams and rivers,
seas and lands and all that inhabit them,
clouds and winds, rain and snow,
all peoples of the earth, every class and race of people,
and finally also the inhabitants of heaven, the angels and the saints.
 
What a vision! God’s great love for us and all creation is expressed in the Eucharist where we join our own thanksgiving with all creation’s praise to God. Edith Stein calls it “the great Eucharist of creation.” As you journey through Lent this week, may you be aware of creation’s praise of God surrounding you, and may you pause and join in giving thanks to God for God’s great love expressed to us through Jesus.
 
Brian Holliday
Anam Cara 
 7 March 2023

                                                                                                                                        Image by beate bachmann from Pixabay