-Last Sunday's homily is available
-This Sunday's Scriptures can be found at www.usccb.org/readings
-check out this weeks LinC letter at www.parishLinCLetter.blogspot.com
-I will be celebrating mass this weekend at 5:30pm on Saturday, 8am, 12:30pm and 6pm on Sunday
Church, priesthood, Eucharist = real presence!
Unique among the Christian churches, the Catholic and Orthodox belief in the Real Presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist is the consoling Truth that Jesus is with us always, until the end of the ages. Really WITH us. Not just spiritually, personally, mysteriously, symbolically, but REALLY. We have fought some long hard battles over this belief. It has been challenged over the millenia so much so that the Real Presence of Jesus int he consecrated "species" of the Eucharist has become the "tip of the spear" for Catholic apologists and, in some cases, to the exclusion of the other REAL presences of Christ in the life of the faithful.
Do you know where Christ is really present in addition to the consecrated Bread and Wine?
3 comments:
I am reading a book entitled "Living a Spirituality of Communion" and it is a beautiful reflection on the life of the Trinity and our being caught up in that life. One of my favorite lines refers to the love God has for us and His expression of it: "Yes, here I am. Here I am in the form that makes me most like and for you, though it is impossible for me. But love for you made me do it. This love for you turned me against my own justice."
His love for us not only made Him become like us - but made Him dwell among us and in us. He in us and we in Him. It is His dwelling in us that makes it possible for us to strive to be like Him. What a treasure - to love to the point that it makes us "do" - to the point that justice turns to mercy.
This reminds me of my time in India.
At the sign of peace, we give a handshake or hug... they give a slight bow, hands pressed together, palms touching and fingers pointing upwards, thumbs close to the chest. This gesture is called Añjali Mudrā or Pranamasana. In Hinduism it means "I bow to the divine in you".
In South India they really present this well in Liturgy ... they know of Christ in Blessed Sacrament, so many candles lit before Mass before the Tabernacle, in Word (HUGE procession with Gospel book), in Priest (with entourage) and in each of us...HUGE procession of people at offering of gifts representing all/each of us.
That image is with me at EVERY Mass and in EVERT day as I go about my day interacting with people. Cool, cool, cool!!!
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