THE EUCHARIST IS COMMUNION WITH CHRIST AND THE CHURCH (Part -3)

As Eucharistic Prayer III says, “Listen graciously to the prayers of this family, whom you have SUMMONED before you: in your compassion, O merciful Father, gather to yourself all your children scattered throughout the world.” If we face consequences for ignoring an earthly judge’s summons, what will the Judge of Heaven and Earth do if we ignore His summons! Coming together for holy Mass, at least weekly, empowers us, by the one Sacrament that literally enters us, to be changed from the inside out into another Christ: the Eucharist. This intimate union with God also extends to all who gather for this sacred meal: our brothers and sisters in Christ. Our presence at or absence from holy Mass has far-reaching effects. Is it possible that few young people come to Mass because their parents and grandparents especially the men do not do so? In Jewish and Moslem rites, men usually lead communal and ‘home-based’ rites … so what’s up with Christian men? Come on, guys. (To be continued.) Father Maria Joseph Kodiganti