23 June 2012: The Most Holy Eucharist, the Sacrifice of Humanity

By extending the application of the work of redemption to humanity, the Eucharistic sacrifice contributes to the building ‘of the Church’. On Calvary, Christ merited salvation not only for every single man but also for the whole community. His oblation obtained the grace of reunification of mankind in the Body of the Church. The Eucharist tends to realize this objective by daily building up the ecclesial community. The sacrifice of the altar reinforces the Church’s holiness and favoring her expansion in the world. In this sense the Eucharistic celebration is always a missionary act. It invisibly obtains a greater force of penetration for the Church into all human environments. Building up the Church means, in addition, consolidating unity more and more. It was no accident that, at the last Supper Jesus prayed for his disciples to be united. So we can understand how, in every Eucharistic celebration, the Church follows the example of the Master by praying that unity may be evermore real and perfect. In this way, the Eucharist causes ecumenical rapprochement among all Christians to make progress and, within the Catholic Church, tends to tighten the bonds uniting the faithful, above and beyond legitimate differences existing among them. By cooperating responsibly in such a unifying dynamics, Christians will show the world that their Master did not suffer in vain for the unity of mankind. Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, 1984, p236-7 The effects of Communion on the soul Communion sustains the life of the soul as food sustains the body. The reception of the Holy Eucharist keeps Catholics in God’s grace, since the soul recovers its energies from the continual ‘wear and tear’ it suffers through the wounds of original sin and of personal sins. It maintains the life of God in the soul, freeing it from lukewarmness; and it helps us to avoid mortal sin and struggle effectively against venial sins. It makes supernatural life grow and develop. Finally, the grace we receive in each Communion delights the person who receives with good dispositions. Nothing can be compared to the joy of the Holy Eucharist, to the friendship and nearness of Jesus, present within us. Among all the practices of piety there is none whose sanctifying effectiveness can be compared to the worthy reception of this sacrament. In it, not only do we receive grace, but the Source and Fountainhead from which all grace flows. All the sacraments are ordained towards the Holy Eucharist: it is the pivotal sacrament. (St Thomas, “Summa Theologiae”, III, q65, a3) We ask Our Lady to help us go to Communion every day with better dispositions. Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:409-10 Solitude and Silence Nourish Spiritual Life Jesus, before beginning his public life, prayed for forty days in the desert. You, too try to bring a little silence into your lives, so as to be able to think, to reflect, to pray with greater fervor and make more decisive resolutions. It is difficult to create “zones of desert and silence” these days. You are continually being overcome by complications of work, the uproar of events, attraction of the communications media. It is difficult, but possible and important to know how to succeed in it. Jesus also inculcated the necessity for ‘commitment to overcome evil’. He willed to suffer temptation in order to lay emphasis on its reality and to teach the strategy for fighting it and winning. Being Christian means accepting the reality of life and undertaking the necessary struggle against evil. Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, 1984, pp260-61 The imagination in our prayer Mortification of the imagination brings countless benefits for the soul. First, it purifies the soul and disposes it towards living the presence of God better; causes us to make good use of time dedicated to prayer by avoiding distractions. The imagination often inhibits dialogue with Our Lord when we should be more attentive -- eg, in Holy Mass and Communion. Mortification of the imagination permits us to make better use of our time at work, to do it conscientiously and sanctify it. In the area of charity it facilitates our attention to others instead of being engrossed in ourselves. “My advice is that, in your prayer, you actually take part in the different scenes of the Gospel, as one more among the people present. ... imagine the scene or mystery you have chosen to help you meditate. “Next apply your mind, concentrating on the particular aspect of the Master’s life you are considering: his merciful Heart, humility, purity; the way he fulfills his Father’s Will. Tell him what happens to you in these matters, how things are, what is going on in your soul. “Be attentive, he may want to point something out to you, and you will experience suggestions deep in your soul, realizing certain things and feeling his gentle reprimands.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Friends of God”, 252-3) It is of great help particularly when contemplating the Passion of Our Lord and the mysteries of the Rosary. We shall imitate Our Lady, who kept all the events of Our Lord and “pondered them in her heart”. (Lk 2:19) Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:347-8 • The Justinian Madonna at Carthage. This church was built by the Emperor Justinian in honor of the Blessed Virgin, to whom he attributed the victories which he gained over the Vandals. — Baronius, year 534. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Our Lady Justiniani (Carthage). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (http://mariedenazareth.com) • Our Lady Justinienne at Carthage (6th Century). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)