23rd Sunday after Pentecost
Epistle: Philippians 3. 17-21, 4. 1-3; Gospel: St. Matthew 9. 18-26
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We touch the hem of the Lord's garment in the sacraments. In them
the Incarnation is wonderfully continued in or own day.
"To accomplish so great a work"--the dispensation or communication of
his work of salvation--"Christ is always present in his Church, especially
in her liturgical celebrations. He is present in the Sacrifice of the Mass
not only in the person of the minister, 'the same now offering, through
the ministry of priests who formerly offered himself on the cross,' but
especially in the Eucharistic species. By his power he is present in the
sacraments so that when anyone baptizes, it is really Christ himself who
baptizes. He is present in his word since it is he himself who speaks when
the Scriptures are read in the Church. Lastly, he is present when the Church
prays and sings, for he has promised "where two or three are gathered together
in my name there am I in the midst of them." (SC 7; Mt 18:20)
(Catechism of the Catholic Church 1088)
We meet Christ in the liturgy.
I look forward to meeting you here again next week as, together, we
"meet Christ in the liturgy",
-Father Cusick
Used with the permission of Fr. Cusick from his website.
