Daily Retreat 06/10/07
2007 Jun 10 SUN:THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST S
Gn 14:18-20/Ps 109(110):1. 2. 3. 4/1 Cor 11:23-26/Lk 9:11b-17
From today's readings: "In those days, Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine, and being a priest of God Most High, he blessed Abram.... You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek..... This is My Body that is for you - do this in remembrance of Me.... Taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to Heaven, Jesus said the blessing over them, broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd...."
Real Presence
Through the sacraments, those outward signs instituted by Christ to give grace, we can experience the presence of Christ. Not only our hearts, but even our five senses alert us to the sacramental encounter with our Lord and God, moving us to a humble response of reverence and love.
Above all, this is true of the Eucharist, the sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ. Jesus offered Himself to God the Father and gave Himself up as the eternal nourishment for those who come to Him hungering for everlasting life.
As St. Augustine realized, "God in His omnipotence could not give more, in His wisdom He knew not how to give more, in His riches He had not more to give, than the Eucharist!" That's what we're meant to chew on, today, on this feast of Corpus Christi, and every time we approach the altar for this taste of Heaven, helping us understand why every Communion is as special as the first....
Gn 14:18-20/Ps 109(110):1. 2. 3. 4/1 Cor 11:23-26/Lk 9:11b-17
From today's readings: "In those days, Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine, and being a priest of God Most High, he blessed Abram.... You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek..... This is My Body that is for you - do this in remembrance of Me.... Taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to Heaven, Jesus said the blessing over them, broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd...."
Real Presence
Through the sacraments, those outward signs instituted by Christ to give grace, we can experience the presence of Christ. Not only our hearts, but even our five senses alert us to the sacramental encounter with our Lord and God, moving us to a humble response of reverence and love.
Above all, this is true of the Eucharist, the sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ. Jesus offered Himself to God the Father and gave Himself up as the eternal nourishment for those who come to Him hungering for everlasting life.
As St. Augustine realized, "God in His omnipotence could not give more, in His wisdom He knew not how to give more, in His riches He had not more to give, than the Eucharist!" That's what we're meant to chew on, today, on this feast of Corpus Christi, and every time we approach the altar for this taste of Heaven, helping us understand why every Communion is as special as the first....
posted by FrPitstick | 6/09/2007
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