Tag: Eucharist

⏩ CATHOLIC CARTRIDGE – A series to learn, revive, love and be faithful…to our Catholic Faith!

Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFSLeave a comment

28 GRATEFUL HEARTS, GENEROUS LIVES: LIVING THE EUCHARISTIC LIFE

❇️ WHAT IS IT?

Gratitude and generosity are foundational virtues in the Catholic faith, rooted in the profound mystery of the Eucharist.

The Most Holy Eucharist becomes the greatest example and impetus, to embrace these virtues, enrich our spiritual journey and transform our lives.

🌀 HISTORY & IMPORTANCE

💡 Eucharistic Roots: The Eucharist, instituted by Christ at the Last Supper, embodies His sacrificial love and invites us into communion with Him and one another.

💡 Church’s Historical Emphasis: The Catholic Church has upheld the centrality of the Eucharist over centuries, recognizing it as the “source and summit of the Christian life” (CCC 1324), emphasizing its role in nourishing the faithful and building the Church.

💡 Vatican Council II: “The Eucharist is the sacrament of unity, the bond of charity, a paschal banquet’ in which Christ is consumed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us'” (Sacrosanctum Concilium, 47).

💡 Scriptural references & tradition

🔆 John 6 – Bread of Life Discourse: Reflect on Jesus’ profound teaching about His flesh as true food and His blood as true drink, emphasizing the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

🔆 Institutional Narrative: Meditate on the words of institution during the Mass, recognizing the Transubstantiation of bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ, and the call to participate in His sacrifice.

🔆 John 13 – Washing of the Feet: Emulate Christ’s humility and service, reflecting His love in our daily lives and relationships as we receive and share the Eucharistic gift.

📜 LEARN FROM SAINTS & CHURCH TEACHINGS

🔶 St. Therese of Lisieux: “Each small task of everyday life is part of the total harmony of the universe. To work for the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus is to live for Him alone.”

🔶 St. John Paul II: “The Eucharist is the sacrament of love; it signifies love, it produces love.” (Ecclesia de Eucharistia, 1)

🔶 St. Augustine: “Receive who you are. Become what you receive.”

🔶 St. Padre Pio: “It would be easier for the world to survive without the sun than to do without Holy Mass.”

🔶 Papal Encyclicals: Pope Francis calls the Eucharist “the sacrament of love” (Evangelii Gaudium, 264), urging us to live Eucharistic lives marked by gratitude and selfless giving.

🔶 CCC on the Eucharist: “The Eucharist is the memorial of Christ’s Passover, the making present and the sacramental offering of his unique sacrifice, in the liturgy of the Church which is his Body” (CCC 1362).

🙏🏻 SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE

🔷 Gratitude as Worship: Our thankfulness for the Eucharist extends to every aspect of life, transforming ordinary moments into opportunities for worship and praise.

🔷 Generosity as Eucharistic Sharing: Just as Christ freely gives Himself in the Eucharist, we are called to share our blessings generously with others, embodying Christ’s love in action.

🔷 Eucharistic Unity: Gratitude and generosity foster unity in the Body of Christ, strengthening bonds of compassion, solidarity, and mutual support within the Church and society.

🌐 PRACTICAL TIPS

💠 Receive the Eucharist Reverently: Approach the Eucharist with deep gratitude and reverence, recognizing the gift of Christ’s presence in the sacrament.

💠 Acts of Charity: Engage in acts of charity and kindness, inspired by the self-giving love of Christ in the Eucharist, to uplift and support those in need.

💠 Eucharistic Adoration: Spend time in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, cultivating a heart of gratitude and openness to God’s transformative grace.

💠 Sharing Blessings: Share your time, talents, and resources generously with others, mirroring Christ’s generosity in the Eucharist and fostering a culture of giving.

💠 Prayer of Thanksgiving: Develop a habit of daily gratitude through prayers of thanksgiving, acknowledging God’s blessings and providential care in your life.

💠 Eucharistic Sacrifice: Embrace sacrificial love in your relationships and endeavors, imitating Christ’s sacrificial offering in the Eucharist for the salvation of all.

💠 Overcoming modern challenges:

♦️ Secularism and Materialism: Counter secular influences by deepening Eucharistic spirituality, emphasizing spiritual wealth over material possessions, and promoting acts of generosity as signs of true abundance.

♦️ Digital Distractions: Create tech-free zones and prioritize Eucharistic devotions to cultivate a contemplative mindset, free from digital noise and distractions during prayer and worship.

♦️ Busy Lifestyles: Integrate moments of Eucharistic reflection into daily routines, such as brief prayers of gratitude before meals or dedicating commute time to spiritual readings and reflections.

♦️ Cultural Relativism: Educate others on the timeless truths of the Eucharist, emphasizing its central role in Catholic faith and morality, and encourage participation in Eucharistic celebrations as transformative encounters with Christ.

♦️ Challenges to Faith: Strengthen faith through Eucharistic encounters, seeking spiritual guidance from priests, deepening understanding of Eucharistic theology, and fostering a vibrant Eucharistic community for mutual support and encouragement.

May our lives be a living Eucharist, radiating gratitude and generosity, and drawing others closer to the heart of Christ.

❇️ Keep the faith!
✅ Live in love!
✳️ Deepen your hope!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

  • Fr Jijo Jose Manjackal MSFS
    Bengaluru, India
    📧 reflectioncapsules@gmail.com

⏩ CATHOLIC CARTRIDGE – A series to learn, revive, love and be faithful… to our Catholic Faith!

Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFS1 Comment

16 THE EUCHARISTIC FAST: A SPIRITUAL PREPARATION

❇️ WHAT IS IT?

THE EUCHARISTIC FAST is a period of abstaining from food and drink before receiving Holy Communion during the Holy Mass.

It is a spiritual discipline aiming to foster reverence for the Eucharist – the true Body and Blood of Christ.

🌀 HISTORY

💡 Early Christian Practice: The roots of the Eucharistic Fast trace back to the early Christian Church.

Believers abstained from food and drink before receiving Communion, emphasizing the sacredness of the act.

💡 Liturgical Development: Over centuries, the Church formalized the practice, establishing guidelines for the Eucharistic Fast to underscore the importance of spiritual preparation.

💡 Biblical Basis: The general idea of spiritual readiness before partaking in the Lord’s Supper finds Biblical basis in St. Paul’s teachings (1 Corinthians 11:27-29).

💡 Ecclesiastical Legislation: Church councils, including the Council of Trent, contributed to the formulation of ecclesiastical laws regarding the Eucharistic fast, ensuring a common discipline across the faithful.

📜 CHURCH’S TEACHING ON THE EUCHARISTIC FAST

♦️ Duration: The Church prescribes a one-hour fast before receiving Holy Communion.

This period of abstinence includes all food and beverages, with the exception of water and medicine.

♦️ Ecclesiastical Law: The one-hour Eucharistic fast is a binding ecclesiastical law, emphasizing the importance of having a heart prepared and focused on Divine encounter.

♦️ Detachment and Temperance: The practice encourages the virtues of detachment and temperance, reminding the faithful of the sacredness of the Eucharist and the need for a state of grace.

♦️ Unity in Practice: The universal observance of the Eucharistic fast among the faithful underscores a shared discipline and unity in the approach to the reception of Holy Communion.

♦️ Exceptions: Certain situations may exempt individuals from the strict observance of the Eucharistic fast, such as those who are ill or elderly, as well as those who care for them.

Pastoral sensitivity is applied to accommodate various circumstances.

✴️ LEARN FROM SAINTS & TEACHINGS

🔶 St. Thomas Aquinas: “The purpose of the Eucharistic fast is to prepare the Christian to receive Communion with fitting reverence and devotion.” (Summa Theologica, III, Q. 80, Art. 6)

🔶 Pope St. Paul VI: “The Eucharistic fast is not only a precept of the Church but is also a reflection of the virtue of temperance, while nourishing and expressing faith, hope, charity, and religion.”

🔶 St. Padre Pio: “To be pure in body and soul is a requisite to receive Holy Communion.”

🔶 Catechism of the Catholic Church: “The Eucharistic fast is an important practice to foster a spirit of detachment, self-mastery, and openness to the Lord’s presence.” (CCC 1387)

🔶 Pope St. John Paul II: “Fasting before Communion is a form of self-discipline which encourages a sober, more prayerful preparation for receiving the body and blood of Christ.”

🙏🏻 SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE

🔷 Reverence for the Eucharist: The Eucharistic Fast instills a sense of reverence, underscoring the exceptional nature of receiving the body and blood of Christ in Holy Communion.

🔷 Spiritual Discipline: It serves as a spiritual discipline, fostering self-control and detachment from worldly distractions, creating a focused mindset for encountering Christ.

🔷 Mystical Union: The period of fasting is a time of spiritual longing and anticipation, enhancing the sense of mystical union with Christ during the reception of the Eucharist.

🔷 Preparation for Encounter: Abstaining from food and drink allows the faithful to approach the Eucharist with greater mindfulness and intentionality, recognizing the sacredness of the moment.

🌐 PRACTICAL TIPS

💠 Adherence to Guidelines: Observe and adhere to the current ecclesiastical guidelines regarding the duration of the Eucharistic Fast, recognizing it as a form of obedience and unity.

💠 Spiritual Preparation: Use the time of fasting as an opportunity for spiritual preparation, engaging in prayer and reflection to cultivate a disposition of reverence.

💠 Intentional Reflection: Reflect on the significance of the Eucharistic Fast, understanding that it is not merely a rule but an opportunity to deepen your connection with the Sacrament.

💠 Educate Others: Share the spiritual importance of the Eucharistic Fast with fellow Catholics, fostering a collective commitment to this practice for a more profound experience of the Eucharist.

💠 Receive with Awe: Approach Holy Communion with a sense of awe and gratitude, recognizing the Eucharistic fast as a means to enhance the sacredness of this divine encounter.

May the Eucharistic Fast be a source of spiritual enrichment, deepening our reverence for the true presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist.

❇️ Keep the faith!
✅ Live in love!
✳️ Deepen your hope!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

  • Fr Jijo Jose Manjackal MSFS
    Bengaluru, India
    reflectioncapsules@gmail.com

“It pleased the Holy Spirit to appoint, for the honour of so great a sacrament, that the body of the Lord should take the precedence of all other food entering the mouth of a Christian; and it is for this reason that the custom referred to is universally observed.“

– St Augustine

⏩ CATHOLIC CARTRIDGE – A series to learn, revive, love and be faithful…to our Catholic Faith!

Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFSLeave a comment

12 THE HOLY MASS: A DIRECT ENCOUNTER, WITH THE DIVINE

❇️ WHAT IS IT?

THE HOLY MASS stands at the heart of Catholic worship, representing the re-presentation of Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross and offering believers an intimate encounter with the divine.

It is a sacred and communal act of worship where the faithful gather to offer praise, thanksgiving, and participate in the Paschal Mystery.

As St. John Paul II expressed, “The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life.

The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it.”

Archbishop Fulton Sheen beautifully says, “the greatest Love Story of the entire world is found in the Tiny White Host!”

🌀 HISTORY

💡 Institution by Christ: The Holy Mass finds its roots in the Last Supper, where Jesus instituted the Eucharist, commanding His disciples to “do this in memory of me” (Luke 22:19).

The institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper is explicitly described in the Gospels, emphasizing its Divine origin (Matthew 26:26-28, Mark 14:22-24, Luke 22:19-20).

💡 Early Christian Worship: The early Christians continued the practice of gathering for the breaking of the bread, as seen in Acts 2:42-46, reflecting the essential role of the Mass in their worship.

💡 Development of the Liturgy: Over centuries, guided by the Holy Spirit, the Church developed the Liturgical structure of the Mass, incorporating prayers, rituals, and readings.

💡 Councils and Liturgical Reforms: Church councils, such as the Council of Trent, played a vital role in articulating the Church’s teachings on the Mass, and the Second Vatican Council brought about Liturgical reforms that emphasized active participation of the laity.

📜 LEARN FROM SAINTS & TEACHINGS

St. Justin Martyr: “No one may share the Eucharist with us unless he believes that what we teach is true, unless he is washed in the regenerating waters of baptism for the remission of his sins, and unless he lives in accordance with the principles given us by Christ.”

St. John Chrysostom: “When we have been to Holy Communion, the balm of love envelops the soul as the flower envelops the bee.”

St. Teresa of Calcutta: “If we really understand the Eucharist; if we really participate in Mass, we would offer our lives in sacrifice with Jesus on the Cross.”

St. Padre Pio: “It would be easier for the world to survive without the sun than to do without Holy Mass.”

St. Pope John Paul II: “The Eucharist is the secret of my day. It gives strength and meaning to all my activities of service to the Church and to the whole world.”

St. Augustine: “Christ is both the Priest, offering Himself, and Himself the Victim. He willed that the sacramental sign of this should be the daily Sacrifice of the Church.”

🙏🏻 SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE

🔷 Real Presence of Christ: The Holy Mass is the moment when, through Transubstantiation, the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ – making alive, His Real Presence among the faithful.

🔷 Paschal Mystery: By participating in the Mass, believers enter into the Paschal Mystery—Christ’s Passion, Death, and Resurrection—making present the salvific work of Jesus.

🔷 Communal Worship: The Mass is a communal act of worship where the Church, both on earth and in heaven, unites in praising and offering gratitude to God.

🔷 Sacrament of Unity: The Eucharist is a powerful symbol of unity, bringing together the diverse members of the Church into one body, the Body of Christ.

🔷 Historical Consistency: The consistency of the Mass throughout the Church’s history, despite cultural and linguistic differences, underscores its divine origin.

🔷 Source of Grace: Through the Mass, believers receive Sacramental Grace, nourishing their souls and empowering them to live according to Christ’s teachings.

🔷 Heaven on Earth: The Holy Mass is described as “Heaven on Earth,” where heaven and earth meet in a mystical union, and believers have a foretaste of the heavenly banquet.

🌐 PRACTICAL TIPS

💠 Active Participation: Engage actively in the Mass by understanding the Liturgical elements, following the prayers, and participating in hymns and responses.

💠 Regular Attendance: Make attending Mass a priority, recognizing it as a central act of worship and a source of spiritual nourishment.

💠 Eucharistic Adoration: Complement Mass attendance with moments of Eucharistic Adoration, deepening your personal connection with the Real Presence.

💠 Receive the Eucharist Worthily: Approach the Holy Communion with a disposition of humility, repentance, and love, recognizing the profound encounter with Christ.

💠 Share the Faith: Share the beauty and significance of the Mass with others, helping them understand its transformative power and spiritual richness.

May The Holy Mass be a profound encounter with the divine, drawing believers into the mystery of Christ’s love and sacrifice.

❇️ Keep the faith!
✅ Live in love!
✳️ Deepen your hope!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

  • Fr Jijo Jose Manjackal MSFS
    Bengaluru, India
    reflectioncapsules@gmail.com

⏩ CATHOLIC CARTRIDGE – A series to learn, revive, love and be faithful… to our Catholic Faith!

Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFSLeave a comment

07 EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

❇️ WHAT IS IT?
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION is a revered Catholic practice involving the worship and contemplation of the Blessed Sacrament.

The faithful spend time in the presence of the exposed Eucharist, adoring Jesus, Who is truly present in the Consecrated Host.

Archbishop Fulton Sheen beautifully reminds us: “The greatest love story of the entire world is found in the Tiny White Host!”

🌀 HISTORY
With roots tracing back to the Early Church, Eucharistic Adoration gained prominence in the medieval period.

💡Examples from the Lives of Saints: Saints such as Saint Clare of Assisi and Saint John Vianney were known for their profound devotion to Eucharistic Adoration.

Saint Juliana of Liège and Saint Thomas Aquinas too played pivotal roles in fostering devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.

💡In modern times, especially during the 19th and 20th centuries, saints like Saint Peter Julian Eymard and Saint Thérèse of Lisieux advocated for a deeper understanding and devotion to the Eucharist.

They emphasized the need for personal encounters with Christ in the Eucharist, leading to the establishment of the Feast of Corpus Christi.

💡Formalized by the Council of Trent (16th century), it became a significant element of Catholic piety.

💡Teachings of Popes: Saint Pope John Paul II emphasized the centrality of the Eucharist in the life of the Church. His encyclical “Ecclesia de Eucharistia” underscores the importance of Eucharistic Adoration as a way to deepen one’s faith.

💡Scriptural Basis and Reference: The institution of the Eucharist during the Last Supper (Matthew 26:26-28, Mark 14:22-24, Luke 22:19-20) serves as the foundational scriptural basis for Eucharistic Adoration.

The Gospel of John, particularly chapter 6, highlights the significance of Christ’s Real Presence.

✴️ RELEVANCE IN MODERN STRUGGLES

In the midst of contemporary challenges, Eucharistic Adoration holds profound relevance:

🔶 Digital Distractions: In an era marked by constant digital distractions, Eucharistic Adoration offers a sanctuary of silence, providing respite from the noise and chaos of modern life.

🔶 Escape from Addictions: As many struggle with various addictions and vices, Eucharistic Adoration becomes a source of spiritual healing and liberation.

The Real Presence of Christ becomes a powerful antidote to the allure of fleeting pleasures.

🔶 Peace Amid Anxiety: In a world filled with anxiety and stress, spending time in Eucharistic Adoration allows individuals to experience inner healing and tranquility.

It serves as a reminder that Christ is present in the midst of life’s challenges.

🔶 Encounter with Unconditional Love: In a culture where love is often conditional, Eucharistic Adoration provides an encounter with Christ’s unconditional love.

This experience becomes a transformative force, fostering a deep sense of self-worth and belonging.

🙏🏻SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE

🔷 Real Presence of Jesus: It acknowledges the Real and Substantial Presence of Jesus Christ in the Consecrated Host.

Reflecting on the words of Jesus, “This is my body… This is my blood,” deepens one’s faith in the Eucharist.

🔷 Communion and Contemplation: Beyond the reception of Holy Communion during Mass, Eucharistic Adoration offers an extended period for personal communion and contemplation.

It’s an intimate encounter with the Lord, fostering a deeper relationship.

🔷 Adoration and Thanksgiving: It allows for a dedicated time of adoration and thanksgiving, expressing gratitude for the immense gift of Christ’s Body and Blood.

🔷 Silent Encounter: Embracing the sacredness of silence in Eucharistic Adoration provides a serene space for listening to God’s Voice and responding to His Merciful Love.

🔷 Healing and Transformation: Jesus, truly living in the Holy Eucharist heals and transforms us.

🌐 PRACTICAL TIPS

💠 Schedule Regular Time: Dedicate a specific time in your schedule for Eucharistic Adoration (if possible, daily or weekly, or atleast monthly), creating a consistent routine.

💠 Embrace Silence: In this world obsessed with noise, allow moments of profound silence during Adoration, providing space for personal reflection, prayer, and listening to God.

💠 Bring Intentions: Bring your intentions and concerns before the Lord, seeking His guidance and grace during the time spent in Eucharistic Adoration.

💠 Learn Eucharistic Prayers: Familiarize yourself with Eucharistic prayers, litanies, and devotions to enhance your experience and participation.

May Eucharistic Adoration become a sacred encounter, deepening our “love-bond” with the Living Christ in the Blessed Sacrament.

❇️ Keep the faith!
✅ Live in love!
✳️ Deepen your hope!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

  • Fr Jijo Jose Manjackal MSFS
    Bengaluru, India
    reflectioncapsules@gmail.com

April 30 (Lk 24: 13-35)

Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFSLeave a comment

A commonly known incident is told of a customs officer, who observed a truck coming up to the border.

 

The wary behaviour of the driver caused the customs officer to look at him with suspicion – of smuggling some goods – and he ordered a search of the vehicle.

 

The officer was pretty sure, that the driver was involved in smuggling something…

>> But even after a thorough search – of the panels, the bumpers, the wheel cases and other parts of the truck….

… he was unsuccessful!

 

Not convinced, but due to lack of proof, the customs officer had to wave the driver through.

 

This happened many times over the years – week after week….

 

The officer made the driver to go through rigorous searches: full body search, X Rays, Sonar…

… but nothing illicit was ever found!

 

 

Finally, the day arrived when the customs officer was to retire.

 

For one last time, the officer observed the same driver coming in…

… and he asked him: “I know you are a smuggler!

And I also know, very cleverly, you have been deceiving me all these years, and taking some goods beyond this check point.

 

Today is my last day at work.

>> So I pray you, to tell me what have you been smuggling all these years.

I promise that I will not tell anyone about it.”

 

Seeing the insistent pleading of the customs officer, the driver replied, coolly:

“Trucks!”

 

 

The customs officer had made a detailed check up of the driver, on several occasions.

>> But he missed the most obvious good that could have been smuggled: Trucks!

 

 

How often can this happen in our lives as well…

… We “miss the most obvious”!

 

 

The Gospel of the Day is a beautiful incident to “open our eyes” to see the obvious –  the obvious reality of our Faith…

… and thus, to be convinced witnesses of this Good News of the Reality!

 

The post-Resurrectional narratives today presents before us the incident of our Risen Lord appearing to the two disciples on the way to Emmaus (Lk 24: 13-35).

 

One of the striking features that this passage presents before us is the human tendency (weakness!) to “miss the obvious!”

 

The two disciples, who are on the way to Emmaus, had been greatly struck by the incidents that had happened over the last one week in Jerusalem.

 

This therefore, resulted in them failing to “read the signs of symbols”…

>> Their Master, Jesus, in Whom they had placed all their hopes, had undergone a cruel death on the Cross (Lk 24:21).

… The CROSS, however, seemed, to them, purely as a sign of humiliation and shame!

 

>> This was followed by the report of some women who had seen the empty Tomb of the Lord (Lk 24:22)

… The EMPTY TOMB, however, seemed, to them, purely as a sign of dashed hopes and broken dreams

 

>> This confusion was confirmed by some of the other members of the group, but Him they had not met (Lk 24: 24)

… This ABSENCE of JESUS, however, seemed, to them, purely as a sign of a lost prospect and an uncertain future.

 

>> As they walked on the way, Jesus explained the Scriptures to them, to open their hearts to what was written about Him (Lk 24: 27)

… The SCRIPTURES, however, seemed, to them, purely as a sign of falling on deaf ears and God’s words being found empty.

 

>> As they reached the village, Jesus made movements as if to go on ahead (Lk 24: 28)

… The MOVEMENTS of JESUS, however, seemed, to them, purely a sign of a traveller wanting to move on with His journey

 

A number of symbols were presented to these disciples…

>> Cross, Empty Tomb, Absence of Jesus, Scriptures, Movements of Jesus

… but all of them seemed irrelevant and  immaterial.

>> They failed to make an impact!

 

They MISSED THE OBVIOUS!

 

That’s when, our Blessed Lord would “open their eyes” by partaking in one of the most important post-Resurrectional ‘Expression of His Presence’: The Breaking of Bread!

 

“He sat down to eat with them, took the bread, and said the blessing; then He broke the bread and gave it to them…

… then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him!” (Lk 24: 30-31)

 

 

The ‘Breaking of the Bread’ opened their eyes… and they began to “See the Obvious”

>> The Cross began to be seen as the Symbol of Victory!

>> The Empty Tomb began to be seen as the Symbol of God’s Almighty Power!

>> The Absence of Jesus began to be seen as the Symbol of His Presence amidst the community!

>> The Scriptures began to be seen as the Symbol of God’s Promises being fulfilled!

>> The Movements of Jesus began to be seen as the Symbol of the Lord alluring them to invite Him into their hearts and homes!

 

 

This incident invites us to also have our “eyes opened” and “see the obvious” in our Faith.

>> And this experience is deepened by our participation in the “Breaking of the Bread”.

 

The “Breaking of Bread” is the Holy Eucharist.

 

This incident of the “Breaking of Bread” contains the elements (Scripture, Prayer, Blessing, Breaking of bread)  of the Liturgy of the Eucharist, as stated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church…

…  “Eucharistic celebration always includes: the proclamation of the Word of God; thanksgiving to God the Father for all his benefits, above all the gift of his Son; the consecration of bread and wine; and participation in the liturgical banquet by receiving the Lord’s body and blood.”

 

 

There are moments in our life, when we like the Disciples on the way to Emmaus, walk dejected and disillusioned.

… things seem lost for us and the future holds no good for us

… darkness seem to pervade our every thought

 

Like those Disciples, we too are given a lot of symbols of God’s Presence…

… but we fail to find meaning in them!

 

It is therefore the Breaking of the Bread – the Holy Eucharist – that can strengthen our Christian Life and “open our eyes”…

… to “see the obvious”!

 

May this powerful incident of the Emmaus Experience, help us to resolve and renew a few commitments with respect to the Holy Eucharist…

… to be more eager to participate for the Holy Mass as often as possible

… to never be late for Mass; instead to prepare well, and participate with more enthusiasm

… to seek to spend more time with the Eucharistic Lord and encourage others to do so as well

 

It is the Eucharist that can help us to know and realize that even in our “saddest walks of life”, the Lord is with us – walking with us, and giving us many signs and symbols of Faith…

>> And thus, to have our “eyes opened”…

… and “see the obvious” in our Life of Faith!

 

 

God Bless! Live Jesus!