杏MAP导航

By Deborah Castellano  Lubov

Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM Cap., Preacher of the Papal Household, has given his fourth 2022 Lenten Sermon on 鈥楾he Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist鈥� to 杏MAP导航 Francis and the Roman Curia in the Vatican鈥檚 Paul VI Hall on Friday morning, one day before the 杏MAP导航 departs for his Apostolic Visit to Malta.

The theme of the Cardinal鈥檚 Lenten meditations this year is: 鈥�'Take, eat: this is my body' 鈥� A mystagogical catechesis on the Eucharist."

The Cardinal reflected Friday on the Eucharist as the Real Presence of the Risen Christ in the Church, after having in his previous 2022 Lenten Sermons explored the three main parts of the Mass 鈥� the Liturgy of the Word, the Consecration and Holy Communion.

Eucharistic Pilgrimage

In his catechesis, Cardinal Cantalamessa discussed the Eucharist from the point of view of different Christian traditions, exploring the Orthodox and Protestant understandings in particular.

Noting 鈥渨e have now terminated our little Eucharistic pilgrimage鈥� through the different Christian denominations, he said: 鈥淲e have collected a few baskets of crumbs from the big multiplication of bread in the Church.鈥�

鈥淏ut we cannot conclude here our reflections on the mystery of the Real Presence,鈥� the Franciscan Cardinal insisted: 鈥淚t would be like collecting the crumbs and not eating them.鈥�

鈥淔aith in the Real Presence is a wonderful thing, but it is not enough,鈥� the Papal Preacher observed, telling the 杏MAP导航鈥檚 collaborators the Eucharist must be experienced.

Must Experience Eucharist Like Fire

Even if one has an exact and theologically perfect idea of Christ鈥檚 Real Presence in the Eucharist, more is needed, the Cardinal highlighted. 鈥淢any theologians know all about the mystery, yet they do not know the Real Presence. In biblical terms, you 鈥榢now鈥� something only when you have experienced it.鈥�

鈥淭o know fire, you would have to have been, at least once, so close to a flame to risk being burnt.鈥�
 

He reminded the Curia that from faith and the 鈥渟entiment鈥� of the Real Presence, 鈥渞everence must spring spontaneously, and, indeed, a sense of tenderness for Jesus in the Sacrament.鈥� He told them that this is 鈥渟uch a delicate and personal sentiment that words might even destroy it.鈥�

Humbles Himself in a Morsel of Bread

Cardinal Cantalamessa recalled in a special way how Saint Francis of Assisi鈥檚 heart overflowed with sentiments of reverence and tenderness before Jesus in the Eucharist, just as he was moved before the Child of Bethlehem, seeing Him 鈥渟o helpless, so entrusted to humanity, so humble.鈥�

The Preacher recalled the saint addressed this in his Letter to all the Friars, where he implored, 鈥淟et heaven exult when Christ, the Son of the Living God, is on the altar in the hands of the priest鈥︹��

In that text, St. Francis recalled how the Lord of the Universe, God and the Son of God, 鈥渟o humbles Himself that for our salvation He hides Himself under a morsel of bread,鈥� and urged: 鈥淐onsider, brothers, the humility of God鈥� and "pour out your hearts before Him, and be ye humbled that ye may be exalted by Him.鈥� 

Cardinal Cantalamessa concluded with St. Francis of Assisi鈥檚 fervent invitation: 鈥淒o not therefore keep back anything for yourselves that He may receive you entirely who gives Himself up entirely to you.鈥�