Peter 4:7-11; Mark—preparation for Passover, institution
of Eucharist
Bishop John T. Steinbock
As we are here present before our Lord Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, there are some 250 Bishops gathered in Rome for the Synod of Bishops, which began October 3rd, discussing the theme: The Eucharist: the Source and Summit of the Life and Mission of the Church.”
Pope John Paul II last year declared October 2004 through the end of the Synod in October 2005 as the Eucharistic Year. Our Holy Father asked us all to intensify our love and devotion for our Lord Jesus in the Holy Eucharist and emphasized that the Eucharist is truly the center of our lives as Catholics. This week this Eucharistic year will end with the close of the Synod of Bishops.
Pope Benedict XVI at the beginning of his pontificate also emphasized how he was beginning his pontificate in this year of the Eucharist and that the Eucharist was for him personally the source for his service as the Holy Father for the world.
The Holy Eucharist here present makes the Risen Christ constantly present to us. The same Christ that was born 2000 years ago, lived in this world, died on the cross, and rose from the dead is the same Christ in the Holy Eucharist, whom we adore here before us, and whom we receive personally into our hearts and souls every time we receive Holy Communion.
Today we give thanks to God here present in our midst in the Blessed Sacrament, for all of you who give or your time and talents to serve at God’s altar in our many parishes.
As the Bishop I give thanks to all of you in the name of all God’s people for what you do at the altar of the Lord. It is an important ministry in the church that you are fulfilling, and I want you to know that you are greatly appreciated. Thank you for your spirit of sacrifice, of service and of love for our Lord Jesus in your lives.
You are blest in a special way by your ministry at God’s altar. Stay close to our Lord Jesus in the Eucharist, and make Jesus in the Holy Eucharist the center of your lives. Love for Christ in the Holy Eucharist is meant to lead us to lives of service for others, as Jesus has given of himself to us.
Know that your service at the altar is a great privilege for you. Yesterday I conferred the Order of Acolyte on 14 men preparing to become Permanent Deacons. This is an Order in the Church, which confers the ministry of officially serving at the altar. You are exercising the responsibility of those in that Order at your very young age. The way you seek to act reverently at the altar becomes a grace for everyone in Church to come to know the Lord more in their lives and offer their lives in the sacrifice of the Mass. You add greatly to the celebration of the Eucharist, and God is blessing you in a special way for your sacrifice and love.
Seek always to be led by the love of the Lord in your lives to become more like the Lord and to do what God asks of you. Many will eventually be called to become husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, and that will be your special way of serving God. Some of you by hear God calling you in the depths of your hearts may perhaps become priests and women religious, to serve God in a special way. Each Mass that you serve always ask the Lord to be and to do whatever it is he is asking of you.
Our Lord in the Eucharist is telling each and every one of us of his great love and presence in our lives. O Lord Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, we worship and adore you, we seek only to serve you and bring your love and goodness to everyone in our lives.