Eucharistic Evangelization

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[Read time: 4 minutes]

Eucharistic evangelization is based on the understanding that the Eucharist is the centre of Christian life.  Jesus is Present to us in His Eucharist.  The Eucharist is referred to as "the source and summit of the whole Christian life," highlighting its crucial function in the lives of Catholics.

In the Eucharist, the faithful experience communion with Christ and the Church, which is essential for evangelization. It is through the celebration of the Eucharist that Christians are nourished and transformed into the Body of Christ, enabling them to participate actively in the mission of the Church.  The Eucharist not only strengthens the bonds of charity among believers but also empowers them to live out their faith in various aspects of life, including their social and communal responsibilities.

Moreover, the Eucharist serves as a foretaste of the heavenly banquet, which inspires believers to share the message of salvation with others.  The act of participating in the Eucharist is a call to embody the teachings of Christ in daily life, fostering a consistent expression of faith through actions and relationships.

Thus, Eucharistic evangelization is fundamentally about living out the transformative grace received in the Eucharist, which in turn motivates believers to engage in the mission of spreading the Gospel and serving others in love and truth.

How does the Eucharist influence moral decisions?

The Eucharist plays a significant role in shaping moral decisions for Christians. It serves as a source of grace and strength, enabling individuals to live according to the new law of love given by Christ.  This sacrament fosters a deeper communion with Christ, which is foundational for personal and moral transformation.

Through participation in the Eucharist, believers are equipped to imitate the love that Christ exemplifies, as it nourishes their moral life and encourages them to act in accordance with their faith. The Eucharist is described as the "inexhaustible source of holiness," which not only glorifies God but also empowers Christians to embody self-giving love in their thoughts and actions.

Moreover, the Eucharist strengthens charity, which can be weakened in daily life, thus helping individuals to overcome disordered attachments and root themselves in Christ.  This sacrament also inspires resolutions and attitudes that align with Christian values, guiding the faithful in their moral choices.

In essence, the Eucharist is not merely a ritual but a transformative experience that challenges believers to reflect their union with Christ in their moral decisions, fostering a lifestyle consistent with the teachings of the Church.

References

  1. Instruction "The pastoral conversion of the Parish community in the service of the evangelising mission of the Church", of the Congregation for the Clergy, 20.07.2020 22
  2. Select Questions on the Theology of God the Redeemer IV.66
  3. To the participants in the Plenary Assembly of the Pontifical Council for the Laity (November 23, 2002) 4
  4. 29 September 1979: Mass in Phoenix Park in Dublin 5
  5. Five Hundred Years After St. John Fisher: Pope Benedict's Initiatives Regarding the Anglican Communion IV
  6. The Mystery of the Eucharist in the Life of the Church 35
  7. CCC 1394
  8. Mane nobiscum Domine 25
  9. 29 September 1979: Mass in Phoenix Park in Dublin 5
  10. The Eucharist: Source and Summit of the Life and Mission of the Church 70
The Mass communicates the Person of Jesus, the Eternal Word through Whom we are restored to communion with God. The Eucharistic Liturgy informs, forms and transforms us.  Well, at least the Mass can do so when those who celebrate the Mass are mindful that the way in which the Mass is celebrated impacts how the worshipper perceives and receives the truth, goodness and beauty of God.

God is not confined to acting solely in and through His sacraments.  Does that mean we should ignore the fact that God Himself instituted the sacraments for our salvation?  Should we test Him out of some misguided attempt to increase accessibility or intelligibility by altering the means by which He has chosen to impart His very life to man?  No, we should not put the Lord to the test.  However, lazy liturgy does exactly that.

God makes Himself vulnerable in the Mass so that we may be able to receive the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, the Lord of the universe.  When clergy and laity ignore the opportunity to offer their best actions that embody their intentions, their half-heartedness confirms a lukewarm faith.  Faith doesn't mean very much to those who are comfortable with mediocrity.

The complacent aren't particularly enthusiastic about their acts of love, neither toward another person nor toward God.  Their worship tends toward mere lip service.  Their fruits expose their bland commitment and artless convictions. In contrast, the worshipper immersed in beauty allows God to possess him fully for the salvation of his soul and so that he may mediate God's truth, goodness, and beauty to others.

A lover of liturgy is not possessed by the actions of men.  He is possessed by Jesus Christ, Who is the principal Actor in the Mass.  A beautiful liturgy renders us vulnerable to truth and goodness and opens in us a home in which God may dwell.  A beautiful liturgy acknowledges man's reach toward the heavens so that God may effect heaven on earth.  Jesus works miracles where there is faith.  Is it any wonder that Catholics do not believe in the Real Presence when the Mass is not accorded the dignity that Jesus' Presence deserves?

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