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God Is Near Us: The Eucharist, the Heart of Life
The Second Vatican Council says, "We ought to try to discover a new reverence for the Eucharistic mystery. Something is happening that is greater than anything we can do. The liturgy is the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed; it is the font from which all her power flows."
This profound statement about the Eucharist stands at the center of this book by Cardinal Ratzinger. He compellingly shows us the biblical, historical, and theological dimensions of the Eucharist. The Cardinal draws far-reaching conclusions, focusing on the importance of one's personal devotion to and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, for the personal reception of Communion by the individual Christian, as well as for the life of the Church. For Ratzinger, any transformation of the world on the social plane grows out of the celebration of the Eucharist. He beautifully illustrates how the omnipotent God comes intimately close to us in the Holy Eucharist, the Heart of Life.
This profound statement about the Eucharist stands at the center of this book by Cardinal Ratzinger. He compellingly shows us the biblical, historical, and theological dimensions of the Eucharist. The Cardinal draws far-reaching conclusions, focusing on the importance of one's personal devotion to and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, for the personal reception of Communion by the individual Christian, as well as for the life of the Church. For Ratzinger, any transformation of the world on the social plane grows out of the celebration of the Eucharist. He beautifully illustrates how the omnipotent God comes intimately close to us in the Holy Eucharist, the Heart of Life.
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
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663 people want to read
About the author
Pope Benedict XVI
943 books935 followersOriginally
Joseph Ratzinger
, a noted conservative theologian before his election in 2005, Benedict XVI strove against the influence of secularism during his papacy to defend traditional Catholic teachings but since medieval times first resigned in 2013.
After Joseph Ratzinger served a long career as an academic and a professor at the University of Regensburg, Pope Paul VI appointed him as archbishop of Munich and Freising and cardinal in 1977. In 1981, he settled in Rome as prefect of the congregation for the doctrine of the faith, one most important office of the Roman curia. He also served as dean of the college of cardinals.
Benedict XVI reigned 265th in virtue of his office of bishop of Rome, the sovereign of the state of Vatican City and the head of the Church. A conclave named him on 19 April 2005; he celebrated his inaugural Mass on 24 April 2005 and took possession of his Lateran cathedral basilica of Saint John on 7 May 2005.
Benedict XVI succeeded Saint John Paul II, predecessor and his prolific writings on doctrine and values. Benedict XVI advocated a return to fundamental Christian values to counter the increase of many developed countries. Relativism denied objective truth and moral truths in particular; he viewed this central problem of the 21st century. With the importance of the Church, he understood redemptive love of God. He reaffirmed the "importance of prayer in the face of the activism" "of many Christians engaged in charitable work." Benedict also revived a number and elevated the Tridentine Mass to a more prominent position.
Benedict founded and patronized of the Ratzinger foundation, a charitable organization, which from the sale of books and essays makes money to fund scholarships and bursaries for students across the world.
Due to advanced age on 11 February 2013, Benedict announced in a speech in Latin and cited a "lack of strength of mind and body" before the cardinals. He effectively left on 28 February 2013.As emeritus, Benedict retained the style of His Holiness, and the title and continued to dress in the color of white. He moved into the newly renovated monastery of Mater Ecclesiae for his retirement. Pope Francis succeeded him on 13 March 2013.
(more info on Ratzinger Foundation: https://www.ewtn.com/library/Theology...)
After Joseph Ratzinger served a long career as an academic and a professor at the University of Regensburg, Pope Paul VI appointed him as archbishop of Munich and Freising and cardinal in 1977. In 1981, he settled in Rome as prefect of the congregation for the doctrine of the faith, one most important office of the Roman curia. He also served as dean of the college of cardinals.
Benedict XVI reigned 265th in virtue of his office of bishop of Rome, the sovereign of the state of Vatican City and the head of the Church. A conclave named him on 19 April 2005; he celebrated his inaugural Mass on 24 April 2005 and took possession of his Lateran cathedral basilica of Saint John on 7 May 2005.
Benedict XVI succeeded Saint John Paul II, predecessor and his prolific writings on doctrine and values. Benedict XVI advocated a return to fundamental Christian values to counter the increase of many developed countries. Relativism denied objective truth and moral truths in particular; he viewed this central problem of the 21st century. With the importance of the Church, he understood redemptive love of God. He reaffirmed the "importance of prayer in the face of the activism" "of many Christians engaged in charitable work." Benedict also revived a number and elevated the Tridentine Mass to a more prominent position.
Benedict founded and patronized of the Ratzinger foundation, a charitable organization, which from the sale of books and essays makes money to fund scholarships and bursaries for students across the world.
Due to advanced age on 11 February 2013, Benedict announced in a speech in Latin and cited a "lack of strength of mind and body" before the cardinals. He effectively left on 28 February 2013.As emeritus, Benedict retained the style of His Holiness, and the title and continued to dress in the color of white. He moved into the newly renovated monastery of Mater Ecclesiae for his retirement. Pope Francis succeeded him on 13 March 2013.
(more info on Ratzinger Foundation: https://www.ewtn.com/library/Theology...)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
February 2, 2023
All mature and clearly developed writings on the Eucharist and what God’s presence means for us today. ‘Communion and adoration do not stand side by side, or even in opposition, but are indivisibly one.’ The final essay, ‘My Joy is to be in Thy Presence’ is the best articulation i’ve read on achieving eternal life with God here and now on earth.
April 9, 2020
I’m always a fan of Ratzinger’s work. I love the way he goes about his scholarship. It is at the same time highly academic and professional while also being approachable and considerate of various viewpoints. As a theologian he doesn’t have a good reputation for being tolerant but his scholastic approach is one of the most dialogical I have ever seen.
In particular it was a pleasure to dive into his insights about the Eucharist. This collection of articles touches on a vast range of subjects, all centered in Christ and his sacramental gift of the Eucharist. Ratzinger’s Christocentrism is rooted not only in his extensive knowledge but also in his spirituality and life of prayer. This is apparent because it jumps off the page.
Ratzinger is always willing to address the big contemporary questions. He does not always answer them, but he always has something to say - something that highlights the importance of every era of the Church’s history - including relevant voices today.
The book is rather theological and I imagine it will be very difficult to enjoy it as much without any sort of background in theology. But I was able to use several of his insights when teaching about the Eucharist in RCIA. His clear speech is a great gift.
I always recommend things by Ratzinger. This one is a harder read than some of his work, but since it’s about the Eucharist it is universally applicable and I’d recommend it to anyone willing to try it.
In particular it was a pleasure to dive into his insights about the Eucharist. This collection of articles touches on a vast range of subjects, all centered in Christ and his sacramental gift of the Eucharist. Ratzinger’s Christocentrism is rooted not only in his extensive knowledge but also in his spirituality and life of prayer. This is apparent because it jumps off the page.
Ratzinger is always willing to address the big contemporary questions. He does not always answer them, but he always has something to say - something that highlights the importance of every era of the Church’s history - including relevant voices today.
The book is rather theological and I imagine it will be very difficult to enjoy it as much without any sort of background in theology. But I was able to use several of his insights when teaching about the Eucharist in RCIA. His clear speech is a great gift.
I always recommend things by Ratzinger. This one is a harder read than some of his work, but since it’s about the Eucharist it is universally applicable and I’d recommend it to anyone willing to try it.
June 13, 2022
God is Near Us by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger seemed like a good book to help me understand the Eucharist. I'm endeavoring to understand the Eucharist as much as humanly possible. God is Near Us helped me along.
I learned the origin, practice and meaning of Eucharist from the beginning. Did you know that everyone received the Eucharist in their hands and standing!!!!---for the first nine centuries!!!! Pope Benedict explained the historical context of such devotions as Adoration, Corpus Christi and the Mass, itself.
I understand more and feel closer to Jesus when I receive Communion, now. I appreciate the celebrant's gestures and words. My mind is catching up with my heart.
I learned the origin, practice and meaning of Eucharist from the beginning. Did you know that everyone received the Eucharist in their hands and standing!!!!---for the first nine centuries!!!! Pope Benedict explained the historical context of such devotions as Adoration, Corpus Christi and the Mass, itself.
I understand more and feel closer to Jesus when I receive Communion, now. I appreciate the celebrant's gestures and words. My mind is catching up with my heart.
October 11, 2010
This collection of reflections and homilies on the Holy Eucharist is profound, simple, and beautiful. I was constantly amazed at the Holy Father's insights and his ability to express them in an accessible and readable manner. Yet again with this book I perceived a man who understands the doubts and questions of the modern man and how to answer them. I highly recommend reading this book. I would suggest reading it all at once rather than in the piecemeal manner in which I read it however.
September 3, 2012
Lord, I am not worthy for you to enter under my roof.
March 23, 2022
This is a collection of talks, essays, and homilies on various aspects of the Holy Eucharist prior to becoming Pope Benedict XVI. Then-Cardinal Ratzinger draws upon the biblical, historical, and theological realities of the Holy Eucharist - the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ - and provides deeper insight into this central Truth of the Catholic faith. As with most of his writings, this book can be challenging simply because of its intense scholarship. Yet at the same time, there is a profound simplicity that, when read in the light of faith, makes deeper truths easier to grasp.
The final chapter, "My Joy Is to Be in Thy Presence", is my favorite, and contains some of the most beautiful, radical, and amazing exposition on the truths and reality of eternal life. There is simply too much to quote to capture the entire essence of this chapter, but the following is a fair representation of Cardinal Ratzinger's insight:
"Each accepted pain, no matter how obscure, every silent suffering of evil, each act of inwardly overcoming oneself, every outreach of love, each renunciation, and every turning in silence to God - all of that now becomes effective as a whole: Nothing that is good goes for nothing. Against the power of evil, whose tentacles threaten to surround and lay hold of every part of our society, to choke it in their deadly embrace, this quiet cycle of true life appears as the liberating force by which the Kingdom of God, without any abolition of what is existing, is, as the Lord says, already in the midst of us (Lk 17:21). Within this cycle God's Kingdom comes, because God's will is done on earth as in heaven."
Eternal life doesn't begin at the end of our temporal life: it begins when we encounter God now, a true life welling up within us every time we encounter Christ - Christ who is The Life and The Resurrection, the living water of salvation. As Ratzinger wrote elsewhere in the last chapter: "If we live in this way, then the hope of eternal fellowship with God will become the expectation that characterizes our existence, because some conception of its reality develops for us, and the beauty of it transforms us from within."
There is so much more I could write about the entire book. This is one worth rereading.
The final chapter, "My Joy Is to Be in Thy Presence", is my favorite, and contains some of the most beautiful, radical, and amazing exposition on the truths and reality of eternal life. There is simply too much to quote to capture the entire essence of this chapter, but the following is a fair representation of Cardinal Ratzinger's insight:
"Each accepted pain, no matter how obscure, every silent suffering of evil, each act of inwardly overcoming oneself, every outreach of love, each renunciation, and every turning in silence to God - all of that now becomes effective as a whole: Nothing that is good goes for nothing. Against the power of evil, whose tentacles threaten to surround and lay hold of every part of our society, to choke it in their deadly embrace, this quiet cycle of true life appears as the liberating force by which the Kingdom of God, without any abolition of what is existing, is, as the Lord says, already in the midst of us (Lk 17:21). Within this cycle God's Kingdom comes, because God's will is done on earth as in heaven."
Eternal life doesn't begin at the end of our temporal life: it begins when we encounter God now, a true life welling up within us every time we encounter Christ - Christ who is The Life and The Resurrection, the living water of salvation. As Ratzinger wrote elsewhere in the last chapter: "If we live in this way, then the hope of eternal fellowship with God will become the expectation that characterizes our existence, because some conception of its reality develops for us, and the beauty of it transforms us from within."
There is so much more I could write about the entire book. This is one worth rereading.
March 19, 2022
A great read during Lent
February 27, 2008
Ratzinger is particularly approachable in this little collection of essays on the Eucharist and its place within the life of the Church. In particular, he is adept in sorting out just what it is that the Church is about in the Mass and why certain practices are to be encouraged while others are not. It's a fine book to read on your own or within the context of adoration -- there is much nourishment here on a number of different levels.
The final essay, on the meaning of "eternal life," is a potent clarification of this often nebulous (and under-addressed) subject, and is highly recommended.
The final essay, on the meaning of "eternal life," is a potent clarification of this often nebulous (and under-addressed) subject, and is highly recommended.
March 16, 2012
This book is a collection of homilies from Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict, that offers a lot of insight into the Eucharist and our relationship to it. The format makes this a great resource for meditation/reflection. Best of all is that it didn't seem to be written in "Pope speak" (theological language over my head) so I wasn't reaching for the dictionary too much.
February 6, 2015
This book varied between speaking to me profoundly and being too much for me to take in. This is a valuable collection of his homilies.
Recommended for those wanting to learn more and experience more in the Eucharist.
Recommended for those wanting to learn more and experience more in the Eucharist.
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May 10, 2013Deep observations about the life of the Eucharist.
July 28, 2011
Again another insightful book to cause Catholic and non-Catholic alike to examine the heart and attitude whereby they approach the Lord's Table.
February 23, 2014
A good book on the Eucharist!
December 18, 2016
A great place to start reading Ratzinger: a series of collected sermons and addresses oriented around God's presence in the Eucharist.
November 7, 2020
As a not-yet Catholic (looking forward to Easter Vigil 2021!), I found within the first piece in this collection an excellent explanation of the veneration of the Virgin Mary, even though the theme of the book is the Eucharist. The final piece addresses a subject that had a profound influence on my becoming Catholic: the relationship of time and eternity, which "touch" each other in the Eucharist ("Eternal life is there, in the midst of time, wherever we come face to face with God.") I've never been disappointed by anything Pope Benedict XVI wrote, and in my opinion this is one of his best. Highly recommend this book to anyone.
January 22, 2023
Ratzinger is a deep thinker. His work requires a slow, methodical reading. I tend not to have the patience for this unless I am really bearing down in study and research. While I certainly find nuggets that jump out at me as profound, I do not always follow his point. In fact, sometimes I had to remind myself that this book was about the Eucharist.
All of this, certainly, is more a critique of me than the author. Just be prepared when reading his work to strap in and focus.
All of this, certainly, is more a critique of me than the author. Just be prepared when reading his work to strap in and focus.
December 17, 2024
Beautiful meditations. I feel like my understanding is infantile. Note: Not a work of apologetics, but I think it would still be a worthwhile read for the interested Protestant to better understand why the Catholic culture regarding Mass is so different compared to low liturgy churches. Cf his book on liturgy
September 13, 2017
This is my absolute favorite book by Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI). Excellent reflections on the Eucharist and the life of the Church. Its depth is complimented by its brevity, making it beneficial for further meditation.
June 18, 2023
This is vintage Ratzinger...a mix of solid theological insight with polemical and apologetic tendencies. Or, another way of saying it, solid theological insight sometimes skewed by polemical and apologetic tendencies.
November 3, 2017
I like this book because it helps me to understand deeper the meaning and significance of the Holy Eucharist.
July 11, 2019
Intriguing for a Lutheran to read. Good.
March 16, 2021
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This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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January 24, 2023Gelesen bis zu Kapitel 5
January 17, 2024
this is a great book, a collection of sermons, suitable for both the heart and the head.
October 18, 2025
There are many insightful points in this book. However, some of it was way over my head, but that may be because I deficient in my faith. Overall, it gave me points to think about and work on.
February 11, 2021
This is probably my favourite book from Pope Benedict. In it, he shares some of his most profound insights while addressing the common obstacles we all grapple with when encountering the Eucharist.
Honestly written and infused with a divine perspective, his sermons moved me deeply to a greater appreciation of this most blessed treasure that Christ has given us.
I have a terrible habit of dog-earing a page whenever I encounter something special, and my book looks like a beaten up wreck from the number of markings I’ve made.
Honestly written and infused with a divine perspective, his sermons moved me deeply to a greater appreciation of this most blessed treasure that Christ has given us.
I have a terrible habit of dog-earing a page whenever I encounter something special, and my book looks like a beaten up wreck from the number of markings I’ve made.
March 16, 2018
As good as ever: Ratzinger is the kind of theologian whose writing is so good that its ease of reading disguises the depth of the thought. This is a collection of essays/ sermons about the Eucharist, and is rich fare indeed. One of those books that, having finished, I will re-read again almost immediately, and I am sure i will get even more out of it the second time through.
October 7, 2015
A very excellent read. This book needs to be read slowly to savor and truly comprehend its contents.
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December 29, 2020summer reading for hon theology ii.
September 28, 2024
A compilation of Benedict's homilies while bishop in Munich. Some of his best work! Feels like fresh air.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews