TAKE AND RECEIVE
According to Pew Research Center, only 31% of Catholics believe in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. The US CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS is addressing this issue by launching The NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC REVIVAL.
It’s mission is to “renew the Church by enkindling a living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ in the holy Eucharist,”
In summer of 2024, thousands are expected to participate in the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage beginning from each corner of the country and ending in Indianapolis for the National Eucharistic Congress July 17–24.
LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
”The priest takes the host saying these words of consecration, “Take this, all of you, and eat of it, for this is my body, which will be given up for you…
Then the priest takes the chalice, “Take this, all of you, and drink from it, for this is the chalice of my blood, the blood of the new and eternal covenant, which will be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in memory of me.
DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME
Jesus is truly present on the altar, Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity. The separate consecration of bread and wine represents the death of Christ by the separation of His Body and Blood.
To understand better the words, “Do this in memory of me,” we need the context of Old Testament stories like Passover. Biblical memorials were not just recalled but re-lived.
A liturgical memorial brings the past and present together, making the long-ago event mystically present for the current generation.
We are then present at Calvary, a witness to Jesus’ bloody sacrifice for our salvation but this time in an un-bloody manner but the same sacrificial offering. Jesus is truly present, body and blood, soul and divinity
HOLY COMMUNION
In the Book of Revelations an angel instructs St. John to write: “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb” (REV 19:9).
When the priest says, “Blessed are those who are called to the supper of the Lamb,” he echoes the angel’s invitation to the wedding supper of the Lamb in the Book of Revelations.
We are being called to participate in the marriage feast of Jesus and his Church. When we go to receive Holy Communion, as a member of the Church, we are coming to be united to our bridegroom, Jesus.
THE SUPPER OF THE LAMB
Jesus Christ, the spotless Lamb of God fulfills the Old Testament by allowing Himself to be slain for the forgiveness of sins and rise again, conquering the consequence of sin, death. We thank God that we received Christ physically hoping He receives us divinely.
Come back to Mass, you will be glad you did and the world will be a better place for your participation in the cloud of witnesses. Hebrews 12:1
GLORY AND PRAISE TO GOD THE CREATOR, GOD THE REDEEMER, AND GOD THE SANCTIFIER. ONE GOD, THREE PERSONS!
WE REMEMBER, WE CELEBRATE, WE BELIEVE!