Friday, January 12, 2023
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
This is not a "Bluffers Guide to the Communion of Saints" but if you are ever stuck for something to say about any canonized man or woman, here are two things you can assert without fear of contradiction: First, they loved Our Lady. Two, they had a great devotion to the Holy Eucharist. It’s true, though, isn’t it? All saints have loved Mary and all saints have loved the Eucharist.
That was certainly the case with Saint Theresa of Calcutta who was canonized eight years ago by Pope Francis. It was back in 1950 that the diminutive Albanian nun founded the Missionaries of Charity to serve Christ among the poor and dying in India. Once asked, “What will save the world?” Mother Theresa instantly answered: The Eucharist.
She then went on to explain: “We cannot separate our lives from the Eucharist; the moment we do, something breaks. People ask, ‘Where do the sisters get the joy and energy to do what they are doing?’ The Eucharist involves more than just receiving; it also involves satisfying the hunger of Christ. He says, ‘Come to Me.’ He is hungry for souls.”
Mother Theresa’s order now has over 5000 sisters across the globe. In every sacristy in every Missionaries of Charity convent you will find the same words inscribed upon a board. They read: Priest of Jesus Christ, celebrate this Holy Mass as if it were your first Mass, your last Mass, your only Mass.
So, my challenge to you this week is to make those words your own and pray them prior to every Mass you attend this week. If you are a lay person, the text could read thus: Son or daughter of God, devoutly participate in this Holy Mass as if it were your first Mass, your last Mass, your only Mass.
What difference will that make to your life? Here’s the experience of a fellow pilgrim who is currently travelling with us On the Road to Emmaus.
+ Earl Boyea
Bishop of Lansing