If you are like me, you fret over the tumultuousness of our modern world. From political drama and sobering economic news to ‘wars and rumors of wars,’ we can quickly get caught up in experiencing some anxiety and or depression.
This brings to mind the words of Jesus, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away. But watch yourselves, or your hearts will be weighed down by dissipation, drunkenness, and the worries of life.” Luke 21:33 So, what is a believer to do?
Firstly, in addition to our Sunday obligation, we should attend Mass whenever possible so as to partake in the Eucharistic banquet where heaven and earth are joined as we consume the body and blood of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Every act of consecration, at every Mass around the world, joins us to the one sacrifice of Jesus in which the elements of bread and wine are transformed into the body and blood of Christ.
The Church uses a fancy term, transubstantiation, to let us know what happens during consecration. Frequent reception of Communion can bestow heavenly graces upon us and help us on our journey to Christ.
In fact, when we receive the body and blood of Christ, we become more like Him as we seek to live a life where He is the source and summit of our existence. Secondly, let’s not forget that a three-year Eucharistic Revival program began this month, July 2022. Dioceses across the country are encouraged to hold Eucharistic events and make the Eucharist a primary focus. According to what we are called to believe, the Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1324). This means that Christian spirituality flows from the Eucharist (the source) and so Christian actions should be directed towards it (the summit).
We might also look to do some spiritual reading on this topic which could help us in our private devotions. I recommend, Reflections on Mass and Sacrament by Raymond Mooney SJ. The back cover of the book says the following; “The traditional devotion of our people to the Mass and the Blessed Sacrament is under considerable challenge today from various forces. One of these is a simple lack of understanding of the nature of the Christian Eucharist. That is the problem which this books sets out to tackle.” The book is divided into three parts: Celebrating the Eucharist, Understanding the Eucharist and Living the Eucharist.
Vivat Jesus, Steve Scarallo
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