Friday, November 24, 2023
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I pray you are enjoying our journey together On the Road to Emmaus or, rather, that you are finding it useful in cultivating a more profound encounter with Jesus Christ during the Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. I am certainly very grateful for your company. Together, please God, we are taking a sure step each week towards greater personal holiness knowing that the Eucharist at Holy Mass is the source and summit of our life with God.
As the great 19th century French devotee of the Holy Eucharist, Saint Peter Julian Eymard, writes: “Know, O Christian, that the Mass is the holiest act of religion. You cannot do anything to glorify God more, nor profit your soul more, than by devoutly assisting at it, and assisting as often as possible.”
This week is one of those occasions upon our year-long pilgrimage when we pause; pray; assess where we’ve been; and prepare ourselves for the rest of the journey. It’s a week for a moment of reflection and a burst of inspiration.
First, reflection: My challenge to you this week is to reflect upon the challenges of recent weeks and repeat one of them. Perhaps the one you found most difficult. Here’s your choice:
Pray the Suscipe Prayer of Saint Ignatius of Loyola during the Offertory at Holy Mass.
Or: Pray the Litany of the Precious Blood each day.
Or: Pray a Morning Offering every day.
Or all three! It’s up to you. Have you chosen? Good. Let us continue.
Now for that promised inspiration. Here’s another great Eucharistic story from another of our fellow pilgrims On the Road to Emmaus. His name is Matt Clark. He lives in Brooklyn in Michigan with is wife, Dana, and their six children. Until fairly recently, Matt described himself as a “stubborn Protestant”. Now he’s an "on-fire" Catholic. What changed? Here’s Matt’s story.
+ Earl Boyea
Bishop of Lansing