Pope Francis: sacrament of the Eucharist is not a 'magic rite'

Vatican City, Sep 24, 2013 / 07:13 am

During his daily homily, Pope Francis gave special emphasis to the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, saying that it is not magical act, but an encounter with the living God.

Pope Francis delivered his Sept. 24 homily to those who gathered in the Vatican's guest house, Santa Marta, for a private liturgy.

The Holy Father drew his reflections from the morning's reading from the passage in psalms, "We will go with joy to the House of the Lord," saying to those gathered that the Sacrament of the Eucharist is not a "magic rite," but rather an encounter with Jesus, who is our constant companion in life.

Throughout the history of God's people, the Pope said, there have been many "beautiful moments which bring joy," but also moments "of pain, martyrdom and sin."

However, the Pope noted that "God, who has no History because He is eternal, desired to make History by walking alongside His people."

"He decided to become one of us, and as one of us, to walk with us through Jesus."

Pope Francis stressed that this act not only shows us the greatness of God, but also his humility, saying that when his people strayed from him "in sin and idolatry," he did not abandon them, but "He was there" waiting for their return.

Jesus shows us the same humility, said the Pope, in that "he walks with the People of God, walks with the sinners; walks also with the arrogant," adding that Jesus did much to "help these arrogant hearts of the Pharisees."

The Church, stressed the pontiff, can rejoice in the humility of God which accompanies us as "We go with joy to the House of the Lord."

"We go with joy because He accompanies us, He is with us…and the Lord Jesus, even in our personal lives, accompanies us with the Sacraments. The Sacrament is not a magic rite: it is an encounter with Jesus Christ; we encounter the Lord – it is He who is beside us and accompanies us."