Beloved in Christ,
How do we promote devotion to the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist? Belief and devotion to the Real Presence of Christ were significant reasons for establishing the solemnity in the thirteenth century. As the church did in the thirteenth century, we must do today: we must ponder the meaning and importance of the sacrifice of Mass in restoring life to humanity doomed for destruction due to our futile conduct inherited from our human ancestors (see 1 Pt. 1:18-25) ). In my homily on Wednesday morning mass, I asked: "What is the cost of our redemption from condemnation?" Presenting St. Peter's answer, I said our redemption came at the expense of the "precious Blood of Christ."
The blood of Christ, the "blood of the Covenant" (Mk 14:24), is the source of our redemption. The blood of the new covenant is of more excellent value than the blood of young bulls offered as holocausts by Moses to obtain reconciliation of his Jewish people with God ( Ex. 24:5). It is not "the blood of goats and bulls " offered for our "eternal redemption" (Heb 9:12); instead, it is the Blood of Christ, the blood of the New Covenant. There is healing and liberating power in the Precious Blood of the Lamb of God. I encourage devotion to the Precious Blood of Christ. When invoked in faith, it offers protection against the wiles and tricks of the devil. It contains the fullness of the Eucharistic sacrament, the soul, and the divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ. The fullness of Christ is contained in either the blood or the flesh. We hear this truth proclaimed in the Sequence: "Blood is poured and flesh is broken, yet in either wondrous token Christ entire we know to be" (Corpus Christi Sequence).
Now that we are reminded again of the Real Presence of Jesus in the Blood and Flesh we receive each time we go to communion, how should we respond? Again, I return to the Sequence for the answer: "From your heart let praises burst" (Sequence). We must respond in praise and thanksgiving as a testimony to our faith. Let your heart and your entire life be loud and public praise of Jesus's actual presence in the sacrament of his Blood and Body.
The doctrine of the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist is part of why we have the Corpus Christi procession. Our public procession through the neighborhood of Elizabethtown from the church on the top of the hill to the Historic Church is part of showing our belief in Real Presence and our love and adoration for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament displayed in the monstrance. In our public testimony of adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, we must show that our hearts are filled with joy and thanksgiving by singing hymns and songs of devotion, love, and deep joy. Do not hold back your joy; praise Jesus with all you have. Let us bring Jesus into our community with a joyful heart and profound faith. May Jesus bless Elizabethtown and all its inhabitants with his grace as we bore him high and joyfully in our Corpus Christi procession.
With praise and thanksgiving to God, we celebrate our parishioner, Rev. Craig Alexander, ordained this past Saturday morning, June 1; please do not forget to attend his Mass of thanksgiving and reception next Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Mass.
I will also be on a three-week vacation to Nigeria starting June 10th. I look forward to seeing my mom, sisters, nieces, nephews, and my new grand niece! Keep me in your prayers. Thanks.
In His Praise,
Fr. Bernard Alayode, OP
How do we promote devotion to the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist? Belief and devotion to the Real Presence of Christ were significant reasons for establishing the solemnity in the thirteenth century. As the church did in the thirteenth century, we must do today: we must ponder the meaning and importance of the sacrifice of Mass in restoring life to humanity doomed for destruction due to our futile conduct inherited from our human ancestors (see 1 Pt. 1:18-25) ). In my homily on Wednesday morning mass, I asked: "What is the cost of our redemption from condemnation?" Presenting St. Peter's answer, I said our redemption came at the expense of the "precious Blood of Christ."
The blood of Christ, the "blood of the Covenant" (Mk 14:24), is the source of our redemption. The blood of the new covenant is of more excellent value than the blood of young bulls offered as holocausts by Moses to obtain reconciliation of his Jewish people with God ( Ex. 24:5). It is not "the blood of goats and bulls " offered for our "eternal redemption" (Heb 9:12); instead, it is the Blood of Christ, the blood of the New Covenant. There is healing and liberating power in the Precious Blood of the Lamb of God. I encourage devotion to the Precious Blood of Christ. When invoked in faith, it offers protection against the wiles and tricks of the devil. It contains the fullness of the Eucharistic sacrament, the soul, and the divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ. The fullness of Christ is contained in either the blood or the flesh. We hear this truth proclaimed in the Sequence: "Blood is poured and flesh is broken, yet in either wondrous token Christ entire we know to be" (Corpus Christi Sequence).
Now that we are reminded again of the Real Presence of Jesus in the Blood and Flesh we receive each time we go to communion, how should we respond? Again, I return to the Sequence for the answer: "From your heart let praises burst" (Sequence). We must respond in praise and thanksgiving as a testimony to our faith. Let your heart and your entire life be loud and public praise of Jesus's actual presence in the sacrament of his Blood and Body.
The doctrine of the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist is part of why we have the Corpus Christi procession. Our public procession through the neighborhood of Elizabethtown from the church on the top of the hill to the Historic Church is part of showing our belief in Real Presence and our love and adoration for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament displayed in the monstrance. In our public testimony of adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, we must show that our hearts are filled with joy and thanksgiving by singing hymns and songs of devotion, love, and deep joy. Do not hold back your joy; praise Jesus with all you have. Let us bring Jesus into our community with a joyful heart and profound faith. May Jesus bless Elizabethtown and all its inhabitants with his grace as we bore him high and joyfully in our Corpus Christi procession.
With praise and thanksgiving to God, we celebrate our parishioner, Rev. Craig Alexander, ordained this past Saturday morning, June 1; please do not forget to attend his Mass of thanksgiving and reception next Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Mass.
I will also be on a three-week vacation to Nigeria starting June 10th. I look forward to seeing my mom, sisters, nieces, nephews, and my new grand niece! Keep me in your prayers. Thanks.
In His Praise,
Fr. Bernard Alayode, OP
RSS Feed