What does it mean to have life? Is it living day by day 'making it through' to the end of a day? Or should it be something more than that, having made achievements, helping others, finding happiness in a day? For some people, living means being successful, through making a lot of money in business. For others, it could be getting good grades in school, finishing assignments and doing it all over again the next day. As Catholics, what does it mean for us to have true life?
In today's Gospel we read:'I am the living Bread which came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live for ever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my Flesh." The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you; he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats me will live because of me. This is the bread which came down from heaven, not such as the fathers ate and died; he who eats this bread will live for ever"' (John 6:51-58).
Jesus tells us exactly what we need to do in order to live a full, and happy life as Catholics. Through going to mass and receiving communion, receiving the Eucharist, we are each given eternal life in Jesus, and are connected to him, through our belief and our ongoing practice of faith. If this is how we are to find true happy and eternal life, then why do so many people miss mass once a week? In this celebration of the Eucharist, we become energized and renewed in faith each weekend, giving us the ability to go out and be people of faith. I personally love it when I can attend daily mass through the week. It is a small time of peace and renewal through scripture, time of prayer and most importantly, the Eucharist. Challenge yourself to get to mass this week, to embrace this gift Jesus has given for us, and if you can, try to get out to mass more than once through the week. Give Jesus the chance to raise you up.
Today's prayer comes from John Paul the Second, a prayer for Spreading the Perpetual Adoration:
Heavenly Father, increase our faith in the Real Presence of Your Son Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist.We are obliged to adore Him, to give Him thanks and to make reparation for sins.We need your peace in our hearts and among nations.We need conversion from our sins and the mercy of Your forgiveness.May we obtain this through prayer and our union with the Eucharistic Lord.Please send down the Holy Spirit upon all peoples to give them the love, courage, strength and willingness to respond to the invitation to Eucharistic Adoration.We beseech You to spread Perpetual Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament in parishes around the world.We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen
Our Lady of the Most Blessed SacramentHelp us to spread the glory of Your Son through Perpetual Adoration.Amen.
