Eucharist: Celebration of God's Love

Today we no more speak of “Saying Mass”, “Offering Mass”, but rather of “celebrating Eucharist.” What is the difference? What makes the Eucharist a celebration? The festive manifestation of gratitude and joy over blessings received! Generally always in community, never alone! Key : Reason – which is always something good that has happened to us … the more personal, the more the joy in celebrating … 2 Cor. 5:14-15

In Eucharist, what do we celebrate?
* The dying-rising of Jesus
* God’s gratuitous, unsolicited gift of his love – in human form: Jesus. New Covenant
* Forgiveness – freely and repeatedly … no trace or remembrance of past offences
* Church … guidance
* See Eucharistic Prayer – Preface and the Prayer itself
* Other blessings daily received

Before beginning Eucharist, we need to become aware of our personal reasons for celebration.

How: * Joyful attitude… Have a song in your heart … Jesus has risen and is with us
* Wholehearted response – both external and internal
* Unqualified acceptance of the others celebrating with me … entering into and sharing their reasons too
* Openness to share my blessings with others

1 Jn. 3: 1-3; Eph. 1:3-10; Romans 8:31…What can separate us from the love of Christ …?

How to pick out God’s love from Scripture readings : focus more on God’s activity rather than on what we are supposed to do/not do.

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Be a witness of Christ’s Resurrection … What is resurrection? Not resuscitation, but …
New wine in new skins … Lk. 5:27-32 / 33-39.

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