July 16, 2007

The Word in the Eucharist and the Bible

The Eucharist - the Bible; the Word made flesh - the written Word. “Indeed the words of God, expressed in the words of men, are in every way like human language, just as the Word of the eternal Father, when he took on himself the flesh of human weakness, became like men” (Vatican II). “For this reason, the Church has always venerated the Scriptures as she venerates the Lord’s Body. She never ceases to present to the faithful the bread of life, taken from the one table of God’s Word and Christ’s body” (CCC 103).

Receiving Christ in the Eucharist - receiving Christ in the Word. Reading Sacred Scripture is, in a way, like receiving the Eucharist. In both events, the Word of God comes into us. The reading of the Bible is a place of encounter with the mystery. I encourage you to make the reverent reading of the Bible a part of your regular prayer. The Word enters us through the eyes that read, through the ears that hear. The Word enters the heart and fills the mind. Like our Lady, let us ponder all these things in our heart.

God bless you,

Fr. Luke Mary Fletcher, CFR

St. Joseph Friary, New York, NY

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