Dear Brothers and Sisters,

 

At the celebration of the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ last weekend we are each called to recognize the importance of the gift of the Eucharist to us, and to show forth to the world how essential the sacrament is. At that Mass (and every Mass) we take time out of our week and gather together to worship God in spirit and truth. We proclaim Jesus the Messiah as God who has taken flesh to dwell with us, and who has given his own flesh and blood to redeem us. We commemorate his paschal mystery by obeying his command to "do this in memory of me." And then we have that opportunity to go out and show to the world how valuable and vital that gift is to us by partaking in a Eucharistic procession. Processing through the streets of our towns with Christ reinforces how important the presence of Jesus is to our community. As we pause at stations to pray and bless our homes and businesses, we place all our faith and trust in him who has saved us. And in adoring Jesus in the sacrament, we give witness of the Real Presence of our God in the Eucharist.

 

I want to thank everyone who volunteered to help coordinate the procession - there are a lot of different, moving parts for something like that, and it is a lot of work to bring it all together so seamlessly. I also want to thank everyone who joined for the procession itself, and all those who could not join physically but support it with prayer - your faithful witness continues to inspire others and nurture the gift of faith in the world. We all need to keep giving that witness to the Most Blessed Sacrament. That the Eucharist and our participation in it are not optional parts of the Bible, but necessary for faith that we believe in Jesus and follow the command he has given us. Unfortunately, we live in a time now where even many Catholics do not feel it is important to come to Mass each week, and even more non-Catholic Christians who completely deny the reality of the Eucharist and have separated themselves from the grace of union with Christ by that sacrament. By God's love, may our prayers and witness help bring our brothers and sisters back to the one faith and be in full communion with his one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.

 

Peace in Christ,
Father Timothy