Where everything is important, significant, and divine
From the Writings of St Peter Julian Eymard, Priest
The Church presents herself before us with the words of Jesus on her lips; she repeats and explains them with an authority equal to that of the Saviour: “This is My Body. This is My Blood.” She tells us, and we must believe that, by the divine power of these sacramental words, taken in their direct and natural sense, Jesus Christ becomes truly, really, and substantially present in the Most Blessed Sacrament of the altar under the appearances of bread and wine. She tells us, and we must believe that, by his omnipotence, Jesus Christ has changed the substance of bread into his Body and the substance of wine into his Blood, and that his Soul and Divinity accompany the presence of his Body and of his Blood.
And ever since the Last Supper, the Church has been proclaiming this belief down through the ages. Her Apostles have had but one voice, her teachers but one doctrine, her children but one belief, one love for the God of the Eucharist. How majestic is the voice of the whole Christian people! How touching and beautiful is the harmony of their praise and their love! Every true child of the Church wants to bring to the feet of the Divine King present on the altar a tribute of homage, a token of his affection — one brings gold, another myrrh, and all bring incense. Everyone wants to have a place in the court and at the table of the God of the Eucharist.
To the testimony of her word the Church adds the testimony of her example and practical faith. As John the Baptist, after having pointed out the Messiah, cast himself at his feet to prove the liveliness of his faith, so the Church devotes a solemn worship, her entire worship to the adorable Person of Jesus whom she manifests to you in the Most Blessed Sacrament. With a delicate and jealous attention the Church has regulated Eucharistic worship to its minutest details. She does not rely on anyone to take in hand the matter of honouring her divine Bridegroom; for everything is important, significant, and divine, when there is question of the Real Presence of Jesus Christ. She wants to consecrate to the royal service of Jesus all the most genuine and precious things in the world. In her Liturgy everything is related to this mystery; everything takes on a spiritual and heavenly meaning; everything has a property of its own and contains some special grace.
Responsory. The Lamb that was slain || is worthy to receive power, and divinity, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and benediction. * To him that sitteth on the throne, and to the Lamb, benediction, and honour, and glory, and power, for ever and ever. V. Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who taketh away the sin of the world. * To him … Glory be … To him …
