Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time—September 8, 2019

Dear Friends in Christ:

This is big! I mean really big! I want to write about something that is such a big part of our faith, but I think so often it is taken for granted. That is the Gift of the Eucharist! The Eucharist is the Sacrament of Sacraments. The Holy Eucharist is a perpetual miracle and it is a miracle that happens every day under our eyes. It is Jesus Christ Himself who comes present among us, who works among us, and who takes care of us.

Sadly, so many take this for granted. Many of us, so called cradle Catholics, were brought up knowing that the Eucharist is the Body and Blood of Christ. It is very normal. To me it was a fact, and there was no argument from me. It is akin to saying the sky is blue.

But what about the awesome reality that this is miraculous? What about the reality that after the consecration it is the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ? For me it was not until I went to a holy hour and spent time in Eucharistic Adoration, that it came to me how awesome this treasure is. It was not until that time in Eucharistic Adoration that I realized not just what the Eucharist is, but WHO the Eucharist is. After that experience going up for Communion was not just what we did at that point in the Mass as a family, but it was NOW the highlight for me. The Second Vatican Council rightly proclaims that the Eucharistic sacrifice “is the source and summit of the Christian life. For the most holy Eucharist contains the Church’s entire spiritual wealth: Christ Himself, our Passover and Living Bread. Through His own flesh, now made living and life-giving by the Holy Spirit, He offers life to men.” WOW! That is the treasure we celebrate at each and every Mass, every Sunday and in fact daily! Think about that!