the eucharistic month
" 'Take this,' He said, 'This is My body.' He likewise took a cup, gave thanks and passed it to them, and they all drank from it. He said to them: 'This is My blood.' " —Mark 14:22-24
The main purpose of this book, One Bread, One Body, is to encourage all to celebrate Mass and receive Communion daily or as often as possible. When Jesus said at the Last Supper, "This is My body" and "This is My blood," He really meant it. Even when many of His disciples left Him because of such talk, Jesus did not retract His statements or say He was only talking symbolically (Jn 6:60-61, 66).
If we want to be intellectually honest, we have no recourse but to admit Jesus meant to give us His body and blood in Holy Communion. If we believe Jesus' words, we should "desire with great desire" to receive Communion (Lk 22:15, our translation). Communion should be the center of our lives. We should continually be preparing for or responding to Communion.
On this solemn feast day, make a decision to believe in Jesus present in Holy Communion. Also, decide to express this faith in the practical details of your life. In this month of June, go to Mass and Communion as much as possible. Your love for the eucharistic Jesus will transform your life. You'll never be the same. Holy Communion will become the very heartbeat of your life.
Prayer: Father, may I be willing to risk my life to receive Your Son in Holy Communion. In this month, draw me to Your Son (Jn 6:44).
Promise: "They all answered with one voice, 'We will do everything that the Lord has told us.' " —Ex 24:3
Praise: Thank You and praise You, Jesus, our Lord, Redeemer, and Bridegroom, for coming intimately to us and even into us in the Eucharist.
Rescript: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 12, 2005
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