Father Jacques Philippe
The Eucharist is the highest expression of Divine Charity, of God's love for His creations. Through it, God shows how much He wants to be with us forever, sharing His own life with us, living with us and in us. As Father Jean-Claude Sagne said, ‘What makes the Eucharist the Sacrament of love is that Jesus here gives Himself in person, in the fullness of His presence. He gives all that He is, the entirety of His life. More than any word or action, it is Jesus Himself who comes to us and delivers Himself into our hands. The Eucharist is a giving without limit on Jesus’ part: ‘This is My body, given up for you.’ What we receive in the Eucharist is Jesus in the very act of giving His life for all mankind, the act in which He personally loves each of us with the greatest of loves: ‘Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends’ (John 15:13). Each time we receive the Eucharist, we should be moved with the same awe that Saint Paul had, in knowing: [He] loved me and gave Himself for me (Galatians 2:20).
(From Fire & Light – Learning to Receive The Gift of God)
St. Leonard of Port Maurice
“Treasures, however great and precious, are never appreciated until examined, counted over, and summed up. Hence it is, dear reader, that by many there is formed no due estimate of the holy and awful Sacrifice of the Mass. Though the greatest treasure which glorifies and enriches the Church of God, it is still a hidden treasure, and known to few. Ah, if this jewel of paradise were but known, who would not give up all things to obtain it! No one would then permit to escape from his mouth the scandalous words, ‘A Mass more or less makes little difference.’
Rather, like the merchant in the Gospel, would each man sink his whole fortune to render himself master of a treasure so precious: Abiit et vendidit omnia quae habuit, et emit eam, ‘he went and sold all that he possessed, and bought it’.’ (St. Matthew 13:46).
(From The Hidden Treasure)
Venerable Bruno Lanteri
“We proclaim God's holiness ‘with Angels and Archangels, with Thrones and Dominions, and with all the hosts and Powers of heaven.’ When we pray, ‘Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts. Heaven and earth are full of Your glory,’ we say this prayer together with the Heavenly Court. Joined with them in praise, Venerable Bruno invites us to pray these words with their same sentiments and heart, with deep gratitude for God's saving love, with hearts raised in thanksgiving and adoration, and with the joy of those who sing the heavenly song.
Have you ever considered that, when the priest prays the Preface, when you join your heart to his words as you listen, and when you say or sing the 'Holy, Holy, Holy,' you are praying with the Angels, the Archangels, and all the heavenly host? Stop briefly now and consider this truth.
Contemplate the Heavenly Court for a moment. ‘See’ and ‘hear’ the Angels and the blessed gathered around the throne as they worship, adore and sing God's praises with glad hearts. Let the warm and joyful sentiments of their hearts fill your own heart.”
(From A Biblical Way of Praying Mass - The Eucharistic Wisdom of Venerable Bruno Lanteri)
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