A pastoral letter by Bishop John W. Yanta on August 6, 2006 " Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord
The Eucharist is the heart and center of our Catholic Faith. The Church describes the Eucharist as the "source and summit" of our faith.
"Where does the Eucharist fit in the divine plan of salvation? The Eucharist was foreshadowed in the Old Covenant above all in the annual Passover meal celebrated every year by the Jews with unleavened bread to commemorate their hasty, liberating departure from Egypt. Jesus foretold it in his teaching and he instituted it when he celebrated the Last Supper with his apostles in a Passover meal.
The Church, faithful to the command of her Lord, 'Do this in memory of me' (1 Corinthians 11:24), has always celebrated the Eucharist, especially on Sunday, the day of the Resurrection of Jesus" (#276 Compendium "“ Catechism of the Catholic Church).
The liturgical action called the Eucharist is also known traditionally as the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
For us Catholics enjoying the fullness of Christ's teachings, Sunday Mass is the heart of our life in Jesus Christ.
A hard saying. It takes a strong faith to believe in the Eucharist. "Then many of his disciples who were listening said, 'This saying is hard; who can accept it?'
"Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this, he said to them, 'Does this shock you? What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?
'It is the spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe.'
"Jesus knew from the beginning the ones who would not believe and the one who would betray him. And he said, 'For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by my Father.'
"As a result of this, many (of) his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him.
"Jesus then said to the Twelve, 'Do you also want to leave?'
"Simon Peter answered him, 'Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God'" (John 6:60-69).
Disbelief in the Eucharist is the main reason some Catholics leave the faith, but the Eucharist is also the main reason fallen away Catholics return to the faith.
The Catechism explains: "The first announcement of the Eucharist divided the disciples, just as the announcement of the Passion scandalized them: 'This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?'
"The Eucharist and the Cross are stumbling blocks. It is the same mystery and it never ceases to be an occasion of division. 'Will you also go away?': the Lord's question echoes through the ages, as a loving invitation to discover that only He has 'the words of eternal life' and that to receive in faith the gift of his Eucharist is to receive the Lord himself" (CCC #1336, John 6:60, John 6:67. John 6:68).
The Church Universal led by the pope schedules an International Eucharistic Congress every four years, e.g. Rome 2000, Guadalajara 2004, and Quebec 2008.
We, here in the diocese of Amarillo, had a gloriously fruitful Eucharistic Congress in 2002. Now, four years later, we are having our second. The Lord willing, a tradition has begun, and the third diocesan Eucharistic Congress will be celebrated in 2010.
Our theme is "In Unity with Jesus through the Eucharist." We see all the disunity in the world, from domestic fights to nations at war, from the existence of rich first world countries to the disparity and reality of poor fifth world countries, from our food-throwing-away cultures to starving-to-death cultures, and we can get to the moon technology to the world's inability to eradicate poverty and starvation.
And, the great scandal we Christians give to non-Christians, i.e. the ceaseless and ever increasing number of separate, new, un-tethered churches distancing themselves from the Church founded by Jesus Christ and its teachings.
Jesus left his best teaching (and most difficult to believe) for the last: the Holy Eucharist. The manna of the Old Testament and multiplication of loaves and fishes is all necessary prelude chosen by God.
Jesus is the only way to unity; his truth and teaching, all of it, bring us to unity; and witnessing to his unique life brings unity.
"The Eucharist is the very sacrifice of the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus which he instituted to perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross throughout the ages until his return in glory.
Thus he entrusted to his Church this memorial of his death and Resurrection. It is s a sign of unity, a bond of charity, a paschal banquet, in which Christ is consumed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us" (#271 Compendium "“ Catechism of the Catholic Church).
"Jesus Christ is present in the Eucharist in a unique and incomparable way. He is present in a true, real and substantial way, with his Body and Blood, with his Soul and Divinity. In the Eucharist therefore, there is present in a sacramental way, that is, under the Eucharistic species of bread and wine, Christ whole and entire, God and Man" (#282 Compendium Catechism of the Catholic Church).
All Masses have been cancelled on Saturday evening, August 26 in order that all the priests have an opportunity to attend the Eucharistic Congress.
There will be educational and formational speakers on the Eucharist and a variety of interesting subjects, i.e. a Holy Hour, Eucharistic chapel, a concert by Tony Melendez who has performed before millions including Pope John Paul II, over 30 exhibitors, confession opportunities available, liturgy of the hours prayer, Chaplet of Divine Mercy, seeing old friends, making new friends, and meeting the hierarchy and wonderful speakers.
And above all: You will feel the springs of grace welling up within you, the presence of the Holy Spirit, and the joy of being Catholic, fully Christian, and strengthened by the Holy Eucharist containing the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ.
A plenary indulgence may be gained as well as a partial indulgence. (If your faith doesn't get excited about indulgences, please see the Catechism #1471-3, 1498, and the Glossary.)
When the Church has a Eucharistic Congress, she asks that there be an extensive catechesis (teaching) for all the faithful in a preparation of mind and heart. This year B of the Sunday Bible readings gives us the five Sundays of Jesus' teaching on the Eucharist as found in John 6 with the exception of the Transfiguration this year which prepared Peter, James, and John for the Last Supper, His suffering, death, and resurrection.
By Divine Providence, our closing Mass will be the 5th Sunday whose Gospel is John 6:60-69. The Eucharist is still a hard saying for many today. We need faithful Catholic Christians "“ no wishy-washy Christians nor Catholics embracing relativism. Pope Benedict XVI has spoken about the dictatorship of relativism (We can't pick and choose what we want from God's Law).
Yes, the Lord God in his overflowing love for each of us is offering gushing springs of living water to all who attend our second Diocesan Eucharistic Congress!
We ask St. Peter Julian Eymard (feast August 2), who dedicated his life and ministry to the Holy Eucharist, to intercede for our Eucharistic Congress as he promoted the Eucharist in his lifetime (1811-1868).
Your prayers, sacrifices, and promotional encouragement are very much needed and appreciated. May our Eucharistic Congress glorify the Lord! Mary Our Lady of the Holy Eucharist, pray for us!