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 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?