Weekly Meditation

Weekly Meditation

Yesterday, Sunday, in the United States we Catholics
celebrated the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and
Blood of Christ, known also as Corpus Christi.
We Catholics are a Eucharistic worshipping community
of faith and love. Pope Benedict XVI calls it a
mystery to be believed.

Pope Benedict's Apostolic Exhortation -- Sacramentum
Caritatis -- on the Eucharist as the Source and Summit
of the Church's Life and Mission teaches and affirms our faith.

'The mystery of faith!' With these words, spoken immediately
after the words of consecration, the priest proclaims the
mystery being celebrated and expresses his wonder before
the substantial change of bread and wine into the body and
blood of the Lord Jesus, a reality which surpasses all human
understanding. The Eucharist is a 'mystery of faith' par excellence:
'the sum and summary of our faith'. The Church's faith is
essentially a eucharistic faith , and is especially nourished
at the table of the Eucharist . . . The more lively the Eucharistic
faith of the People of God, the deeper is its sharing in the
ecclesial life in steadfast commitment to the mission entrusted
by Christ to his disciples.

Lord Jesus Christ, we worship you living among us in the
sacrament of your body and blood. May we offer to our
Father in heaven a solemn pledge of undivided love.

May we offer to our brothers and sisters a life poured
out in loving service . . . .

Bishop William R. Houck
President Emeritus, Catholic Extension
www.catholicextension.org