The Catholic Church has called on a National Eucharist Revival this year to celebrate the sacred gift God has given to us. Pope Paul VI in his encyclical letter: Mysterium Fidei, says, “He dwells with us full of grace and ruth. He restores morality, nourishes the virtues, consoles the afflicted, strengthens the weak. He promises his own example to those who come to him that all may learn to be like himself, meek and humble of heart, and who seek not their own interests, but the things of God. Anyone, therefore, who approaches this august Sacrament with special devotion and endeavors to return generous love for Christ’s own infinite love, experiences and fully understands, not without great spiritual joy and profit, how precious is the life hidden with Christ in God and how great is the converse with Christ, for there is nothing more consoling on earth, nothing more efficacious for advancing along the road to holiness.
“For if the sacred liturgy holds the first place in the life of the Church, the Eucharistic Mystery stands at the heart and center of the liturgy, since it is the font of life by which we are cleansed and strengthened to live not for ourselves but for God, and to be united in love among ourselves”.
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, born of the Virgin Mary, descended from Heaven into our world to heal and redeem us, reconciling us into the fullness of His divinity. Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages, God from God, Light from Light, True God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; Through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven. By the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary and became man. Jesus took upon our flesh and shows us the way to be human, virtuous, meek, humble, and loving toward others. Jesus Christ, the Word of God, is the Good Shepherd who is our Lord and Savior. He is the sacrificial Lamb who has taken upon our sins and is leading us to His Kingdom.
When we come before the sacred Altar at every Mass and acknowledge Jesus as our Lord, receiving His Body and Blood in the Eucharist we experience his healing power, strengthened, and receive His grace, allowing its sanctifying action to live a life of holiness. The word Eucharist means Thanksgiving. At Mass we come together in communion so that we can be united more into Christ.
Every Mass is a thanksgiving of praise and worship to almighty God. This Thursday we will celebrate Thanksgiving Day with our families. It truly is a special day where we come together around the table with one another and give thanks to God for all his blessings. As we celebrate our salvation and God’s love for us at every Mass may this Thanksgiving Day be a day of love, gratitude, and blessings upon each of you.
I will be absent at our Thanksgiving Day Mass at 10:00am for the first time since I have been here at St. Jude. Keeping the family tradition I will be on the road at 8:30 in the morning to get a head start on the traffic as I head to Connecticut for the family day. Thankfully Fr. Kline will be the celebrant. But I do want to wish all of you a happy, joyful, and blessed Thanksgiving Day with family and friends!
St. Jude, pray for us ~
Blessings,
Fr. Ryan