Heart of the Christian Life: Thoughts on the Holy Mass

A major theme throughout the works of Joseph Ratzinger, the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist is the Churchಙs source of life, unity and fruitfulness. This theme has been carried deeply into his pontificate, as can be seen in this collection, which challenges the faithful to believe that by receiving Christ in Holy Communion, they are drawn not only into the very life of God, but into the community that is Christಙs Body, the Church.

ಜIn the institution of the Eucharist we see the very foundational act of the Church. Through the Eucharist the Lord not only gives himself to his own, but gives the reality of a new community ಘuntil he comesಙ (cf. 1 Cor 11:26). Through the Eucharist the disciples become his living house that grows through history as the living Temple of God in this world.ಝ