THE BIG QUESTION
HOW CAN THE EUCHARIST TRANSFORM A COMMUNITY? - Bennett Walsh, Thomas Sloane, Rory Menzies & Ross Monie
The Eucharist is a way in which the community shares the body of Christ, and therefore can be transformed by its spiritual nourishment. Christ becomes part of the community, particularly when the community celebrates together. A community can be uplifted together through the discovery of Christ.
http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-eucharist-as-source-of-encounter-forg
On February 12 2014, Pope Francis Suggested three ways of discovering how the Eucharist can make a real difference in our lives and in our relationships with those around us.
The Eucharist, he said, affects the way we see others and brings us together with young and old, poor and affluent, neighbours and visitors.
Just as Christ loved to be with others and gave himself to all on the Cross, so we are called to give ourselves generously to our brothers and sisters, sharing in their joys and sorrows.
Secondly, Pope Francis said, the Eucharist gives us the grace to feel forgiven and to be ready to forgive others. We go to Mass, not because we are worthy or want to appear better than others, but because we know that we always need God’s love and mercy that comes to us through the Body and Blood of his Son, Jesus Christ.
Thirdly, Pope Francis said, the Eucharist affects the life of our Christian communities, reminding us that it is from the Eucharist that the Church receives her identity and mission
The Eucharist is a way in which the community shares the body of Christ, and therefore can be transformed by its spiritual nourishment. Christ becomes part of the community, particularly when the community celebrates together. A community can be uplifted together through the discovery of Christ.
http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-eucharist-as-source-of-encounter-forg
On February 12 2014, Pope Francis Suggested three ways of discovering how the Eucharist can make a real difference in our lives and in our relationships with those around us.
The Eucharist, he said, affects the way we see others and brings us together with young and old, poor and affluent, neighbours and visitors.
Just as Christ loved to be with others and gave himself to all on the Cross, so we are called to give ourselves generously to our brothers and sisters, sharing in their joys and sorrows.
Secondly, Pope Francis said, the Eucharist gives us the grace to feel forgiven and to be ready to forgive others. We go to Mass, not because we are worthy or want to appear better than others, but because we know that we always need God’s love and mercy that comes to us through the Body and Blood of his Son, Jesus Christ.
Thirdly, Pope Francis said, the Eucharist affects the life of our Christian communities, reminding us that it is from the Eucharist that the Church receives her identity and mission
Basically what Pope Francis is saying is that when many members of a community are living in accordance to Jesus through the consumption of the Eucharist, they are bringing the qualities of Jesus into the community. Therefore, the eucharist gives the people of communities the power to transform the culture into one which recognises the importance of God's message. The eucharist does not transform communities directly, it gives the people of the community the power to go out and make the world a better place.