2nd Reflection on the Eucharistic Prayers: Prayers for Unity

The Eucharist: The Gift that Keeps on Giving … and Giving and Giving

By Fr. Ron Will, CPPS

You have joined the second in a series of podcasts on the Eucharistic Prayers that we pray during Mass. This series is titled “The Eucharist: The Gift that keeps on giving … and giving and giving.”

During this year devoted to the Eucharistic Revival across our nation, I am reflecting with you on the words that we hear in the Eucharistic Prayers when we participate in Mass. For some of us, frequent Mass attendance produces indifference, and the words that the priest prays in our name just go in one ear and out the other if we are not paying attention.

But when we really reflect on the words, they invite us to have a personal encounter with God.

I am reflecting on some of those words with you, in the hope that you will notice the words said and their meaning, so that you can have a more personal encounter with God during the Mass in the future.

There are 13 different Eucharistic Prayers from which the presider at Mass may choose, based perhaps on a theme in the scripture readings that day, the Liturgical Season of the Year, the primary group with whom that Mass is being celebrated, or what is going on in the local or world community that day. Or maybe the priest just chooses a different Eucharistic Prayer each day to keep himself and the congregation alert, and not go on automatic pilot.

Today I will look at Eucharistic Prayer for Various Needs and Occasions – I. It is entitled “The Church on the Path of Unity.” I will put the words of the prayer up on your screen. I will highlight some words in blue, upon which I will comment.

I hope that my reflections today will make you more attentive to the Eucharistic Prayer at the next Mass you attend.

In addition to Sunday Mass, I encourage you to try attending one extra Mass each week. Start really listening to the readings and the prayers, and the pieces of the puzzle will come together. You will only then begin to see the incredible vision God has for our lives, for His Church, and for the world.

Thank you for joining me today. I invite you to join me again next month, as I continue this series on “The Eucharist: The Gift that just keeps on giving…and giving, and giving.” We will reflect on another one of the 13 Eucharistic Prayers that can be used during Mass.

In the meantime, may your next participation at Mass truly be: a personal encounter with God.

All of the videos in this series can be found here: Reflections on the Eucharistic Prayers.

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[Fr. Ron Will, a Precious Blood priest and spiritual director, is a graduate of Catholic Theological Union and Creighton University’s School of Christian Spirituality. He has a special interest in helping form intentional disciples of Jesus, encouraging others to go spiritually deep-sea diving to explore a deeper relationship with God, and walking with people as they dive into the ocean of God’s mystery actually experiencing God rather than simply dipping one’s toe into the water.]

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