jesus in the church
"The voice said to me: Son of man, this is where My throne shall be, this is where I will set the soles of My feet; here I will dwell among the Israelites forever." —Ezekiel 43:7
Today throughout the world we celebrate the Church, and especially Jesus, the Founder and Head of the Church. Today we celebrate the unity of the Church, her authority in Christ (Mt 16:19), and Jesus' special presence in the Church.
Jesus is present in the Church universal, for He is her Head. He is present in the small communities of the Church, for He has promised to be with us in a special way where two or three gather in unity in His name (Mt 18:20). Jesus is present in the church building in the most special and central way of all, for here He is present in the Eucharist, the Blessed Sacrament (Catechism, 1373).
On this glorious feast day, the Lord is calling us in many ways. He may be calling us to form or join a small Christian community. He is calling us to evangelize and "re-member" the Church. I believe that on this special day the Lord is especially calling us to eucharistic adoration. Pope John Paul II has taught: "The Church and the world have a great need for eucharistic worship. Jesus awaits us in this sacrament of love. Let us not refuse the time to go to meet Him in adoration" (Catechism, 1380). Love the Church (Eph 5:25). Adore Jesus in the church. Let zeal for God and His house consume you (Jn 2:17).
Prayer: Father, because I am living in Christ (see Phil 1:21), may I be living in the Church.
Promise: "Are you not aware that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" —1 Cor 3:16
Praise: John the Baptizer preached with such power that the king feared him even when he was a prisoner (Mk 6:20). For related teaching, order our leaflet, Thankful To Be Catholic.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, April 2, 1996
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 3, 1996