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Thursday, April 13, 2017

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Holy Thursday


Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Psalm 116:12-13, 15-18
John 13:1-15

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a life of eucharistic love

"This is My body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of Me." —1 Corinthians 11:24

Through this book, One Bread, One Body, we encourage you to go to Mass and receive Holy Communion daily or as often as possible. By these teachings on the daily eucharistic readings, we hope to lead you not only to go to Mass but to live the Mass in your everyday life. We want to help send out into the world millions of walking tabernacles who will be light and salt (Mt 5:13-14), to permeate even our culture of death with the gospel of Jesus Christ (see Catechism, 899).

Therefore, put daily Mass "at the head" of your schedule (see Ex 12:2). Make it your top priority. Even if you have been betrayed (see 1 Cor 11:23) and sinned against, don't let the devil rob you of your joy, the Eucharist. By God's grace, forgive and be reconciled (see Mt 5:23-24). As you receive the Body and Blood of Jesus, "offer your bodies as a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to God" (Rm 12:1). Make any sacrifices necessary to receive the eucharistic Jesus daily. Some Christians throughout the world are privileged to be even martyred for their eucharistic love. Finally, worship the eucharistic Jesus in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and by washing Jesus' feet and serving (see Jn 13:5) Him in "the least of the brethren" (Mt 25:40, our translation) in Christian community.

Prayer:  Father, send the Holy Spirit to teach me (Rm 8:26) to pray the Mass always (see Lk 18:1).

Promise:  "This day shall be a memorial feast for you, which all your generations shall celebrate with pilgrimage to the Lord, as a perpetual institution." —Ex 12:14

Praise:  "O Sacrament most holy, O Sacrament divine, all praise and all thanksgiving be every moment Thine."

Reference:  (For related teaching, order our booklet, This Is My Body.)

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 1, 2016

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