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ur Lady of Mount 

Virgin

From Father David's Letter - June 9, 2024

Tenth Sunday of Ordinary Time

St. Prosper observed that prayer and belief are integral to each other and that, accordingly, liturgy is not distinct from theology. This observation has been expanded by some to include a third factor the way we live our Christian faith so that prayer, belief, and a Christian life are each integral to one another.

Applying St. Prosper’s observation to the Mass and the Eucharist, it seems that what we believe about the importance of Mass attendance and the True Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist is affected by how we pray and by how we act. And, conversely, how we act and how we pray has an impact on what we be- lieve.

So, if we truly believe that Jesus is present in the Eucharist it will be reflected in our prayers and in our devotional life and the way we act in church. We will pray before the Blessed Sacrament in adoration, and take opportunities to be in Its presence. And, conversely, if we don’t act and pray as though Jesus were present in the Eucharist, then we will treat the Blessed Sacrament like a piece of bread, or at best a mere symbol of Jesus perhaps only one symbol among many others.

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