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Here is the study for 6:30 am, Saturday morning, June 17th, 2006 in the Hearth Room at Epiphany.

Being Transformed By The Eucharist

Sunday, June 18, 2006
The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Exodus 24:3-8
Psalm 116:12-13,15-18
Hebrews 9:11-15
Mark 14:12-16,22-26

Click here for readings  (For quick review only; bring your Bible)

“Take; this is my body.” (Mark 14:22).

Jesus, how can any human being be worthy to receive you, the Lord of heaven and earth? Apart from your mercy, who would dare approach the Eucharist? It would be far easier if we were simply eating bread, but you yourself told us that this is your very body. It is too much for human understanding!

This is a challenging teaching, Lord, more than I can comprehend. Still, I will accept it with humble faith and gratitude. Help me to enter into the immensity of this great gift and to understand more clearly its meaning for my life. With the help of your grace, may I embrace more fully the transformation that you offer me in this precious sacrament.

“This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many” (Mark 14:24). Jesus, in the Old Covenant, your people were sanctified by being sprinkled with the blood of sacrificial animals. But now, instead of our offering blood to you, you offer us your blood. And this offer comes with the amazing promise that your very blood can purify my conscience completely and empower me to serve you, the living God (Hebrews 9:14)!

Lord, you are not content that I simply be sprinkled with your blood. You want it to become a fountain flowing through me. So come, Lord, and invigorate me by this love! As I drink from the cup of salvation, enliven me and lift me up to heaven. May the blood I receive captivate my heart and renew my mind so that I can fulfill the purposes for which you made me. With your blood coursing through me, may every breath I take strengthen me to live the life you won for me.

“Jesus, I am amazed that you would call me to your table to receive your own body and blood. This sacrament of love poured out draws me to worship, even as it strengthens my confidence in you. As I eat and drink, Lord, may I become what I receive.”

Questions for Reflection/Discussion by Catholic Men

1. In today's first readings, we are presented with Old Testament rituals of the sacrificial blood of animals. In what ways do these rituals pre-figure the Blood of Christ and the new covenant?
2. In the Responsorial Psalm, we are called to offer the Lord a “sacrifice of thanksgiving” as a “return to the Lord for all the good he has done for me.” What are the ways you give this “offering” to the Lord in you life? What more can you do to “increase” you offering?
3. In the second reading, no longer are there to be sacrifices of animals. God's new covenant with us, a covenant of love and intimacy has been sealed with the Body and Blood of Christ. How would you explain the Father’s great love for us in allowing his Son to suffer and shed his blood for us? In what ways can we lay down our lives more fully for Jesus Christ and for one another?
4. In the Gospel, we learn that the Body and Blood of Christ is really present in the Eucharist. It is the symbol and bond of unity between Christ and his faithful followers who feed on it. How can you further your unity with Christ, and with your fellow Catholics, who also partake of the body and blood of Christ through the Eucharist?
5. The Second Vatican Council called the Eucharist, “the source and summit of the Christian life.” What role does the Eucharist play in your growth as a Catholic Christian man?
6. What steps can you take to better prepare yourself to receive Christ in the Eucharist? How can you use the Eucharist to draw nearer to Jesus? To the Holy Spirit? To the Father?
7. At the end of your men’s group meeting, pray together reading the meditation, which is written as a prayer.

Come Holy Spirit!  ~  Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and en kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your spirit and they are created, and you renew the face of the earth. Let us pray: O God, you taught the hearts of your faithful by sending them the light of your Holy Spirit. In that same spirit give us your right judgment and the joy of your consolation. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen

Prayer to St. Joseph  ~  Glorious St. Joseph, guide and protector of the Holy Family, we ask that you obtain for us from your son, Jesus, the strength and wisdom to lead our families to their Father in heaven. Most Chaste spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, may we imitate your obedience to the will of God and be ever mindful of the vocation to which we have been called. Amen