Dear Brother Knights,
I hope that you have all had a blessed Easter season. This is a time of such joy, even in the world that is a vale of tears with all of its concerns and tribulations. We long for the resurrection of the dead, where we will enjoy the presence and love of God for all eternity. But, of course, we know as Catholics that we can enjoy the presence of God right now. This found in Christ’s real presence in the Eucharist.
In his encyclical letter on the Eucharist, Ecclesia de eucharistia, St. Pope John Paul II spoke of the great gift of Eucharist. He wrote: “ The Church has received the Eucharist from Christ her Lord not as one gift – however precious – among so many others, but as the gift par excellence, for it is the gift of himself, of his person in his sacred humanity, as well as the gift of his saving work.”
What our Lord offers us is his very self. In this time of Eucharistic Revival in the Church of the United States, let us make it a point to have a greater reverence, love and understanding of Christ’s presence in the Eucharist. And in doing so, encounter him in his total gift of self.
Sincerely in Christ,
Father Nicholas Kipper