Canção Nova Celebrating Corpus Christi in the Year of Faith

The Eucharist is the Sacrament of the Sacrament of the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who gives himself to death on the cross, as “price for our sin.” He is the “Lamb of God, who casts out the sin of the world.” Every time we offer to God the Sacrifice of the mass, we do this “in memory” of Jesus Christ, “lamb of God who casats out the sin of the world,” of this unique and supreme giving of his life to God and in favor of all humanity. In the participation, with faith, of the celebration of the Eucharist, we receive also the fruits of forgiveness and of reconciliation with God and of the new life in Christ.

It is the Sacrament of the communion with God and among us through Jesus Christ. When we participate in the Eucharist and we receive the communion, Jesus Christ unites us more to Himself and to God the Father and concedes to us the gift of His life and of His friendship. At the same time, the Eucharist unites us as brothers and strengthens the vital ties between those that receive this same sacrament and life this same faith, in the Church.

It is “bread of life”, the Sacrament of nourishment that nourishes us now for eternal life; this food is Jesus Himself, more necessary for us than our daily bread: “Whoever eats this bread, has eternal life and I will raise him on the last day.”

The Eucharist is, par excellence, the Sacrament of Jesus Christ, that continues to be present with the Church and humanity “until the end of times.” He does not leave us alone, but continues among us! “God lives in this City!” The Eucharist is the Sacrament of His presence and of the significance of the presence among us of the savior.

The Eucharist is also the Sacrament of the Church, understood as the union of the disciples with Jesus, who is with them and before them as Teacher, Pastor and Priest. The celebration of the Eucharist makes “visible” the mystery of the Church and her mission in the world.

This is the “mystery of faith”! In the Eucharist we announce the death of Jesus, we proclaim his glorious resurrection and we grow in the hope of participating in the fullness of salvation. In the celebration of the Eucharist, we are the humanity that believes and anxiously awaits the Day of Salvation, whenever we cry out: “Maranathá! Come Lord Jesus Come!” (cf Rev. 22:20)

Cardinal Odilo Pedro Scherer
Archbishop of São Paulo

translated from Portuguese