Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
At this weekend’s Masses, we continue our reflection on the sixth chapter of St. John’s Gospel, often referred to as the “Bread of Life Discourse.” Over the past three Sundays, we have addressed the topics of:
- ·The Eucharist as Christ’s enduring presence with us
- Mass as Christ’s once-for-all saving sacrifice made present, where we join ourselves with it as we offer it to our Heavenly Father.
- The Eucharist as communion, an intimate encounter with the crucified and risen Lord.
Today we will reflect on how the Eucharist calls us to mission.
In Baptism we are born anew, the interior divine life that had been lost by the sin of our first parents, is restored in the sacrament. We are filled with Sanctifying Grace, the very life and love of God at work in us. What an amazing blessing from God.
Because we have free will, we can turn our backs on God, committing deadly sins, that hardens our hearts and rebels against God. Fortunately, we can be reconciled from deadly sin, through the Sacramental Confession.
When we attend Mass and present ourselves for Holy Communion we receive the body, blood, soul and divinity of Christ Jesus, crucified and risen. We are nourished and receive grace to continue our pilgrimage of faith in this life, journeying to our eternal home. This grace enables us to imitate the love that Christ shows us. This love should permeate our relationships and help us do our part to shape society, starting in our own homes.
It should strengthen us to joyfully share the encounter we have had with Christ Jesus and invite others to experience the same. In short, the Eucharist calls us to mission. When the priest or deacon dismisses us from Mass, he says, “Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord,” or “Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.” God transforms us at Mass, so that we can be sent to transform the world.
Embrace the mission!
