St. Matthew Catholic Church

Weekly Message     

Not a Ritual but Real Presence

Dear brothers and sisters,   

      We celebrate the Most Holy Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. The Second Vatican Council powerfully stated, Eucharist is the "source and summit of the whole Christian life." Without the Eucharist our faith becomes weak, prayer becomes dry, and charity loses its strength.

     During the Mass, the bread and wine truly become the   actual Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ. It is   an intimate, physical intimacy with God. When we receive   the Eucharist, we are being sustained by Christ's own life, receiving the grace to love, forgive, and endure suffering.

     .We do not receive the Eucharist only for personal   comfort or devotion; but for our lives may be transformed.   The Eucharist strengthens us to love when it is difficult, to forgive when wounded, to serve without seeking reward, and to become instruments of peace in our families and   communities.

     Francis wept, preached, and wrote extensively about   the immense humility of God hidden in a piece of bread; and he wrote:  "O sublime humility! That the Lord of the universe, God and the Son of God, so humbles Himself   that for our salvation He hides Himself under the little   form of bread!"  He says, Jesus continues to choose to   humble Himself every single day, coming down into the   hands of a priest and entering our imperfect bodies.

     He begged his friars to show the utmost respect to   priests—not because of their personal holiness, but   because their hands alone had the power to bring the   Body and Blood of Christ into the world.  He could not   understand how people could remain indifferent before   such a mystery. The Eucharist is not a routine or ritual; it   is heaven touching the earth.  Let us experience His REAL presence intimately.

 Blessings!

Msgr. Xavier Pappu
                     Insert:  Giving to God/Dar a Dios.pdf

                                    Please pray for vocations to the priesthood,
                              for the Priests of our Diocese; & for our Bishop.

         Download our Parish Mobile App
                                                "MyParish"