Dear Parishioners of St. James:
Praised be Jesus Christ!
We continue to focus on the mystery of the Most Holy Eucharist during this Eucharistic Revival year. The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life. In the Most Holy Eucharist is contained the entire spiritual good of the Church, namely Jesus Christ Himself. (Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC)), 1324)
The Most Holy Eucharist is the sign and the cause of our communion with God (CCC, 1325). The Eucharist makes present the one sacrifice of Christ our Savior which Jesus instituted on the night before He died as a perpetual memorial of His death and resurrection (CCC, 1323). We have communion with the Most Blessed Trinity in the true flesh and true blood of Jesus Christ. In fact, Our Lord Jesus Christ said that, “unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood you do not have life within you” (Jn. 6:53).
The other six Sacraments of the Catholic Church are directed to the worthy and fruitful reception of the Most Holy Eucharist. Baptism cleanses our bodily temples for the Lord to enter bodily. Confession removes the guilt of mortal sin so that one might have life (Jesus) again. Confirmation increases the life of sanctifying grace, making Holy Communion more fruitful. Holy Matrimony offers the sexual faculty to God to bring new life as a sign of Christ’s union with His Church effected in Holy Communion. Anointing of the Sick prepares the soul for its final journey to divine union. Holy Orders makes possible the Most Holy Eucharist as the priest acts in the person of Christ Who offers Himself for His bride, the Church.
Please see future articles during this Eucharistic Revival year to appreciate more the Gift of gifts: The Most Blessed Sacrament, our source and celebration of divine union.
God bless you,
Fr. Geary
Saint James Catholic Church 