Beautiful Eucharist: Ultimate Proof of God’s Love
If you didn’t receive your free copy of Matthew Kelly’s Beautiful Eucharist and wish to join the parish-wide reading of the book, see Kathy or Judy in the parish office. There may still be a few extra copies.
In his “Ultimate Proof of God’s Love” chapter of our Beautiful Eucharist book, Fr. Eric Boelscher talks about “sacrifice as the language of love” and shares everyday examples of how we show love toward one another through our small–and sometimes large–sacrifices. He then relates the greatest sacrifice ever made and asks:
How can any of us be sure that God loves us? Perhaps this sounds foolish to some, and maybe too simple to others, but that proof can be found on every altar at every parish by every Catholic with the eyes to see it. Right in the middle of worship, in that small white host raised to Heaven, there is a re-presentation of the one eternal sacrifice of Christ in His Cross. That is the very essence of the Eucharist. It is Christ himself, given up for you and me on the Cross, offered to us now and for eternity. Whenever you see the Eucharist, you look upon the reality of Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross.
What runs through your mind when Fr. Jerry extends Jesus to you in the Eucharist?
Share your thoughts and see how others are responding by joining the conversation in the "Comments" section below.
May this Lent continue to be a season of grace for you and your loved ones,
Bob
Comments
Cathy KenderPosted on 3/13/24
At first, I hesitated to respond to this question, because what runs through my mind is difficult to express and do it justice, but I will try.
Before I receive, I ask God, through His grace, to prepare my heart for such an "awe"some encounter. Then I invite St. Mary, St. Joseph, my guardian angel, and various relatives who have passed on to join me in this joy.
When Father extends Jesus to me, my heart is flung open! He fills me with thoughts of uniting my mind, body, soul, and spirit with His. Spiritual gifts and graces, temporal gifts and graces, my vocation in each moment of the day are His.Through His Spirit, I offer Him that which is sinful and evil in me, twisted and weak, indifferent and lukewarm, asking Him to tear these things from me or transform them.
Then He gives me the grace to give my "fiat". Yes, with Your grace, I will follow Your Way and plant many seeds of love this day. Yes, with Your grace, I will carry my cross with joyful acceptance, patience, compassion, and love. All this, that I may know, love, and serve You better. All this, that I may give You all praise, honor, thanksgiving, honor and glory now and forever.
This is my response. Many others have their own unique way of responding to their encounter with Jesus, as He uses each of our unique personalities and charisms to further His Mystical Body of Christ.