Pope Francis in his reflection on the Eucharistic Mass explained how it is a memorial of Christ's passover from death to life, and its celebration gives Christians new life.
He said the memorial is not just a mere remembrance of the event, but rather “the making present” of the Lord's paschal mystery. By doing so, the Eucharist allows Jesus to “pour out his mercy upon us, in order to renew our hearts, our lives and our entire world.”
SUMMARY OF POPE'S CATECHESIS
“Dear Brothers and Sisters,
In our continuing catechesis on the Eucharist, we now consider the Mass as the memorial of Christ's passover from death to life. In the Bible, a “memorial” is more than a mere remembrance of a past event; it is the making present of that event, which enables us to share in its saving power.
At every celebration of the Eucharist, Jesus pours out his mercy upon us, as He did on the cross, in order to renew our hearts, our lives and our entire world. In the words of the Second Vatican Council, “as often as the sacrifice of the cross is celebrated on the altar, the work of our redemption is carried out.” Each Sunday, we enter into Christ's victory over sin and death and, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we are given a share in His very life. By making present the Lord's paschal mystery, the Eucharist strengthens us to bear witness, like the martyrs of old, to His triumph over death and to love others as He does, freely giving of ourselves for their good.
I greet the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today's Audience, particularly the groups from England, the Netherlands, Poland, Australia, China, Indonesia, Singapore and the United States of America. I offer a particular greeting to the Marist and Marianist Brothers taking part in a programme of spiritual renewal, and to the members of the priestly fraternity Companions of Christ. Upon all of you, and your families, I invoke joy and peace in our Lord Jesus Christ.”
