the Eucharist. Easter and pentecost reminds us of these two great Sacraments by which the Almighty Father, through His Son Jesus Christ, restored us to the State of Grace, removing the stain of original sin which has clouded God's image in us because of pride and disobedience. Furthermore the Eucharist reminds us too that we are still a pilgrim called to be in the Kingdom of God. The Eucharist sustains us in this journey. It is also a pledge of God's salvation for us. For though we do not yet posses the Kingdom in actuality but He demonstrates to us that by giving us His Flesh to eat that we are to live and believe that the Kingdom of God is ours because we have received Him who is our reddemer and Savior. On the other hand the Eucharist is also an expression of Christ's love for His Church. He demonstrated this not only by means of Sacrifice but by offering His Flesh and Blood for us to be our food and drink. Eating and Drinking demontrates unity betwen the one who eats and the one eaten. What a perfect demonstration of Charity! 
St. Paul, Apostle to the Gentiles (by El Greco)
His Letter to the Corinthians He has given us a short passage, but very vivid indeed on how we are suppose to receive the Body and Blood of the Lord.
The Lectio for Today is taken from Letter of St. Paul to the Romans 6:3-11 in this passage of the scriptures, the apostle explains to us that Baptism symbolizes our death to the life of sin. Just as died for us, we too who have been redeemed must die to sin. We cannot call ourselves Christians unless we die to our sin. When Jesus said to Mary Magdalene, "Go and Sin no more..." simple lines from the words of Our Lord but it summarizes the Baptismal Grace we ought to receive. Thus every Sunday when we profess the Creed, when holy water is sprinkled and when caldes are lighted we are reminded constantly of the our Baprismal promises. By virtue of our Baptism we are made into Priests, kings and Prophets. Indeed, a Royal and Kingly Nation, set to be apart from the rest to proclaim the Glorious Will and love of God.
The Gospel Reading is taken from The Gospel According to St. Mark 8:1-9 the gospel reading today reminds us of the Compassion of Christ. he saw the crowds as if they were sheep without a Shephered. The flock was wondering looking for a shephered, they are hungry and bruised. Christ's heart was touched, filled with compassion He gave them bread. So in the Eucharist when we come, we encounter Christ our Lord, full of compassion for us. Full of love. he knows that we have struggled through out the day and that by receiving Him in the Sacrament we are told to take refuge and comfort. Thus one practical lesson for us is to be preprare. There are prayers we need to recite and meditations to do before we receive the Eucharist. By doing these practical exercises, it prepares us, sets our minds and prepares our hearts to benefit from this gift. It is a oy and consolation to receive the bread of angels, the real manna from heaven, as we waith for the day when we shall be in the eternal banquet in the kingdom of the Lamb. Lamb of God who takest away the sins of the world have mercy on us. Lord I am not worthy that you should come under my roof but only say thine word and I shall be healed.
Fr. Z. has a beutiful explanation as to why the early Fathers of the Church included the centurion's statement in the Canon of the Mass. You may visit his site by following the link.
Prayer: Lord Almighty Father, we are indeed duly bound to thank you because of the gift you have given to us through your only begotten Son, by whom we also obtained our adaptions as Children of God. We thank you for the Grace you bestow on us by means of Baptism and the Holy Eucharist, by these you resores us to your grace and sanctifying grace so that we can recover the innocence of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Thank you Lord, we pray in Jesus name Amen.
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