Jesus is the “Messiah,” a word in Hebrew that means “anointed one,” which is translated as “Christ” in the Greek language. Jesus is the “Christ” for he was anointed by the Holy Spirit at his Baptism, not because he needed baptism to remove original sin, but rather to make the waters of baptism holy for us. We see another dimension of God‟s humility, for he used an imperfect man, John the Baptist, so that all his disciples would follow him through the waters of baptism by the hands of an imperfect man, the priest or other authentic minister who baptizes using the correct formula, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
Every time we celebrate the Holy Mass, the Holy Eucharist in the Catholic faith, we celebrate Jesus as the King of the Universe, Perfect Priest and Sacrificial Offer-ing, and Perfect Prophet of God Almighty, in whom we have been baptized. We participate in Jesus Christ‟s three roles as priest, prophet and a member of the royal family to the degree we honestly live our Catholic faith. Jesus works through us to bring about the forgiveness of venial sins (and mortal sins in the confessional) at Holy Mass when we contritely call them to mind, that with God‟s sanctifying grace we might reorder our lives back to God‟s glory. The beginning of this glory on earth is to be fully united to God (free from mortal sin) and united with one another through the saving truth and grace of Jesus Christ, fully found in the Holy Eucharist, and perfectly fulfilled in heaven.
The very word “Eucharist” comes from the Greek word meaning “Thanksgiving,” and we who are growing in faith grow in giving “thanks to God. ”By receiving Jesus Christ in his divine word and holy sacraments with grateful, worthy and humble hearts, God is bringing to perfection his uniting and purifying love within our soul and the souls of our brothers and sisters in Christ.
In today‟s gospel according to St. John, Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered obliquely at first, but then said, “My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not here.” So Pilate said to him, “Then you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth lis-ten to my voice.”
Jesus Christ and his Catholic Church is described by St. Paul in his Letter to Timothy as “the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth. Undeniably great is the mystery of devotion, Who was manifest in the flesh, vindicated in the spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed to the Gentiles, believed in throughout the world, taken up in glory.” 1 Tim. 3:15.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church reinforces this mystery in paragraph 1323: “At the Last Supper, on the night he was betrayed, our Savior instituted the Eu-
charistic sacrifice of his Body and Blood. This he did in order to perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross throughout the ages until he should come again, and so to entrust to his beloved Spouse, the Church, a memorial of his death and resurrection: a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity, a Paschal banquet „in which Christ is consumed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us.‟”
CCC 1327: In brief, the Eucharist is the sum and summary of our faith: “Our way of thinking is attuned to the Eucharist, and the Eucharist in turn confirms our way of thinking.”
Truly the heart of the Gospel is Jesus Christ who is the New and Eternal Covenant: “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, „Take and eat: this is my body.‟ Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, „Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgive-ness of sins.‟” Mt. 26:26-28. Praise God that we faithful Catholics who strive to grow and live the faith are part of the “many” whose sins are forgiven.
By offering up our works of faith, hope and love to God through and with Jesus Christ and his priest at Sun-day Mass, we and our works are purified and we grow rich in God‟s natural and supernatural blessings. For this reason, we are always so thankful!
I look forward to celebrating Holy Mass, the Holy Eucharist, at every opportunity with you and your family, especially on Sundays and other holy days of obligation. Thanksgiving Day is a National Holiday, and NOT a holy day of obligation, but I will celebrate Holy Mass at St. Columbkill, Thursday, November 28, 7:45 a.m. and then at St. Mary, 9:00 a.m. with Eucharistic Adoration after Mass un-til 11:00 a.m.
I also invite you to an Ecumenical Thanksgiving Prayer Service with St. Luke Lutheran Church at their new location beginning at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 27. Please bring nonperishable food items and we also will take up a monetary collection for the Zumbrota Food shelf during the prayer service.
It is through Jesus Christ, our Eucharistic Lord, that we receive the supernatural gift of God‟s saving grace, and the natural gifts of good food, health, family and friends which makes our journey to heaven a time of great thanksgiving. A safe and happy Thanksgiving to you all!
Peace in Christ,
Fr. Thomas McCabe
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