I found this book to be very informative and inspirational. Again, with some recent books I've read I found the timing of this read t be very beneficial and fulfilling to me
The author discusses the 7 "secrets" of the Eucharist. He referred to them as secrets, not because these things are unknown, but rather the average lay person has not grasped these truths about one of the greatest gifts God has given us.
So often we Catholics take our faith and the many treasures the church offers for granted. How often we casually process up to he alter to receive our Lord not fully grasping what is being offered and what we are taking into our bodies and souls. We fail to realize we are coming into union withJesus, who is in full union with God and the Holy Spirit. We enter into heaven when we are at Mass and receiving His body and blood. May I never again fail to realize the efficacy of this precious gift nor be ungrateful to God for giving it to me.
The 7 secrets:
1. The Eucharist is Alive - during one of the apparitions of Mary to the children of Fatima an Angel of Peace appeared to the children with the Eucharist. Suspending the Host and chalice in the air the angels throws himself prostrate on the ground. How do we/I stand in line waiting to receive Communion, when an angel prostrates himself on the ground? Jesus told St. Faustina "oh, how painful it is to me that souls so seldom unite themselves to me in Holy Communion. I wait for souls and they are indifferent to me." We can be such fools!
2. Christ is not alone - Christ is never alone. When we receive him he is also present in heaven so heaven is also present to us. Because Jesus is part of the Holy Trinity we enter into communion with the Holy Trinity when we receive him
3. There is only one Mass - with God there is no time. The Mass is not an isolated event. Each time a Mass is offered it makes present the one sacrifice of Christ. We truly go to heaven when we attend Mass.
4. The Eucharist is not just one miracle -
At the words of a man (priest), the bread and wine cease to exist though all their physical properties remain
Even the tiniest particles of what our senses perceive as bread and wine is now Christ
His presence is not symbolic but real, body, blood, soul and divinity
He is present just like he is in heaven, alive and glorious
He does leave heaven nor multiply but is physically present all around the world wherever Mass is celebrated
The Father and the Holy Spirit along with all of heaven are present with him
5. We don't just receive - He is calling us not only to receive Communion, but to enter into communion with Him. His plan is not merely to live in us but enabling us to live in Him
6. Every reception is different - I found this to be an "aha" moment. "The more resemblance there is between the person who goes to Communion and Jesus, so much the better will the fruits of Holy Communion be." St. Thomas said that when a false person receives Communion the sacrament does not produce any affect. A false person's inmost self does not correspond to what is expressed exteriorly. Whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to answer for the body and blood of the Lord. 1 Cor 11:27. My spiritual disposition before, during and after receiving Communion will determine its efficacy.
7. There's no limit to the number of times we can receive - Although we can generally only sacramentally receive twice in a day, it is unlimited the times we can spiritually receive Him. We receive Him spiritually when we have a focused reverence and awe, are grateful for his gift and long to unite ourselves with him.
UNLESS YOU EAT THE FLESH OF THE SON OF MAN AND DRINK HIS BLOOD, YOU WILL NOT HAVE LIFE WITHIN YOU. Jn 6:53
Great book!