Dear Friends,
We have been talking about a new movement – The Eucharistic Revival -- sweeping our nation. Do you remember that, in June 2022, I did a presentation on this topic as we ushered in the First Year – the Diocesan Renewal Year -- of this movement? The Second Year – Parish Renewal – began on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, June 11, 2023. The Third Year will begin on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, June 2024, when some 80,000 people from all over the country will gather to celebrate the Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis.
This year, therefore, provides a tremendous opportunity for us to renew our faith in Jesus’s Real Presence in the Eucharist, to restore devotion to the Eucharist, and to contemplate the beauty and true meaning of the Mass. I shared this with you last weekend and would like to place it before you again:
What a sublime mystery and absolute beauty is our Faith, to have Jesus in the Eucharist really present!
If our senses could perceive the depths of the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, we would be truly overwhelmed. As a matter of fact, we’d be blown away!
There is no beauty more alluring.
There is no melody more glorious.
There is no feeling more soul-stirring.
There is no sweeter fragrance.
There is no taste more delightful.
(Sister Alicia Torres, F.E.)
You may be aware of the recent Pew Religion Research study revealing that, among Catholics in the U.S., only about one-third believe in the doctrine of Transubstantiation. In light of this finding, I ask: what can we do to reinvigorate our experience of Eucharistic worship and adoration? Although I truly believe that you are among the one-third of Catholics in the U.S. that believe in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, I still ask: How can we bolster our faith in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, which is a bedrock of Church teaching?
Here, as I shared with you last weekend, are some of my thoughts about ways that we can enhance our relationship with Jesus Christ and our participation in our Lord’s Eucharistic life:
- Actively participate in the celebration of Mass and receive the Holy Eucharist every Sunday and on Days of Obligation without fail.
- Do your best to attend at least one Mass on a weekday. You might choose a special occasion (yours or that of others) to help you do this: a birthday, a wedding anniversary, the death anniversary of a family member, etc.
- Intentionally set aside time to visit our Eucharistic Lord in the Adoration Chapel.
- Invite one or more of your family members or a friend to come to Mass with you and/or to visit the Blessed Sacrament.
- Watch Bishop Barron’s videos on The Mass.
- When you receive it from us, read This is my Body: A Call to Eucharistic Revival by Bishop Barron. As I mentioned last week, this book is crammed with inspirational information, explanations, and passionate exposition of the truth, glory, and wonder of the Eucharist.
This week we celebrate the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time, and the church invites us to consider how our loving Father cares for us. Jeremiah, even while experiencing hardship on account of his prophetic ministry, trusted God completely. He says, in Is 20:11-12: “But the LORD is with me, like a mighty champion” because “to you I have entrusted my cause.” Are you able to trust God as your mighty champion? Can you take a few moments today to count the number of times you have experienced his presence in your life?
God’s love for you is immense. Matthew in today’s Gospel (10: 32) says: “Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father's knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So, do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
Since Summer has officially begun, let us use this more relaxed time to do some reflective reading on the theme of the Eucharist. Starting next weekend, I propose that we read together the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Benedict XVI entitled: Sacramentum Caritatis. Pope Benedict divides his Exhortation into 3 parts that reflect the harmony among dogma, liturgy, and life. The Eucharist is a mystery to be believed, celebrated, and lived with our whole heart. In the Eucharist we find “reflected a great deal on the intrinsic relation between Eucharistic faith and celebration” (SC 34). The faith that is celebrated is the faith that is believed.
Let us delve deeply into this beautiful exhortation of Pope Benedict XVI and begin to gratefully appreciate anew the gift of the Eucharist!
Coming up next week!!!
Have a Blessed Week!
With Love,
Fr. John