The Eucharist is truly a mystery. Jesus Christ himself dwells among us in every tabernacle in the world under the form of bread. But because we do not see his complexion, his smile and holy face as we appear to each other, we can forget that we stand and kneel before the man who selflessly gave his life for us.

Keep in mind that the sacrifice of the Mass is just that: the eternal moment when Christ relinquished his body and blood on the cross for our redemption. It is the pinnacle of our beliefs as Catholics, and yet so many of us grow complacent in our love for him. As we hear in the Gospel of John, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life” (3:16).

Imagine you were invited to the palace of a great and powerful king. Would you dress in your best attire, pay homage to him, give him your undivided attention and bring him gifts? I encourage you to approach the Eucharist with the same reverence and awe. Dress in your best attire when attending Mass. Give your full attention to the sacrifice on the altar. Bring gifts of your heart and soul to offer to Christ Jesus.

Bear everything to him, and he will bring you fulfillment, joy and peace. The King of Kings is among us — allow yourself to be fully present in his presence and let him speak to your heart.

To close in the words of St. Angela of Foligno, “If we but paused for a moment to consider attentively what takes place in this sacrament, I am sure that the thought of Christ’s love for us would transform the coldness of our hearts into a fire of love and gratitude.”

In Christ’s love,

Most Rev. Jacques Fabre-Jeune, CS

Bishop of Charleston