We are Christians because we believe in the Resurrection of the Christ. We are Catholic because we believe in the Eucharist.

The Eucharist is both a Sacrament and a Sacrifice. The Eucharist is a Sacrament, an outward sign in and through which we meet Jesus who shares His life of grace with us. In this Sacrament of Eucharist, we meet Jesus Himself who comes to us under signs of bread and wine to nourish and strengthen us for our journey through life. We see with our human eyes what looks like bread and wine, but the True Presence of our Risen Lord, Jesus the Christ.

The Eucharist is also the summary of Sacrificial Living. In giving us the Eucharist at the Last Supper, Jesus said: “Take it; this is my body… this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many.” Jesus not only said those words, He embodied them by a life of self-giving, even to the point of ultimately pouring out His life on the Cross for us.

As Christians, you and I are to live as Jesus modeled for us. Our daily lives must reflect the Eucharist we celebrate. Christian living demands that daily, we give of ourselves, pour out our lives, giving of ourselves in service and in love for others.