Leo apropos

The foundational tenet of the faith is the Real Presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist. It provides the spiritual sustenance necessary to go out and proclaim the Good News abroad. Clearly we have fallen short, which is why Cardinal Leo's pastoral letter has been so apropos. The problem is one of first principles and His Eminence takes us back to the place where the "building blocks" of the faith originated, "that blessed upper room."

Just like the Annunciation preceding the birth of the Saviour, there is a direct throughline from the Cenacle (the room of the Last Supper) to the Resurrection - a sense of something stupendous about to unfold. As Cardinal Leo writes, "We are called to die to ourselves, to our selfishness and our greed in order to resurrect daily." This is the miracle unfolding at the Mass: every time the host touches the tongue Christus Vivit!

Michael Dias,
Markham, Ont.