THE EUCHARIST IS COMMUNION WITH CHRIST AND THE CHURCH (Part -2)

A common response to the question, “Why don’t you go to church?” is a variation of these words: “I can pray at home!” I usually reply by saying something like: “That’s great; I hope and pray that you DO pray at home, in the car, at the beach, up the mountains, or wherever you go! For we cannot be spiritually healthy if we only pray once a week, for just one hour, in church.” (Let’s be honest: how many people even do that much!) But among the many reasons we call it ‘Holy Communion’ is that the holy Mass unites us to the Lord AND to one another which we cannot do alone! As they say: no one can be a ‘Lone Ranger’ Christian for many, many reasons! The Risen Lord primarily works through those He chooses to lead His Church and her Sacraments. Between His Resurrection and Ascension, He delegated the Apostles to baptize, confirm, forgive sins, drive out demons and heal the sick. He revealed Himself in the Breaking of Bread, the Eucharist; which requires us to join the Church in prayer! (To be continued…)
Father Maria Joseph Kodiganti