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Tuesday, June 13, 2023

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St. Anthony of Padua


2 Corinthians 1:18-22
Psalm 119:129-133, 135
Matthew 5:13-16

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“through him”

“It is through Him that we address our Amen to God when we worship together.” —2 Corinthians 1:20

At every Mass, the Eucharistic prayer comes to a climax when the priest elevates the Body and Blood of Jesus and proclaims: “Through Him, and with Him, and in Him, O God, almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is Yours, for ever and ever.” At this climactic moment, the entire assembly responds “Amen.”

This is God’s plan for worship. Through Jesus, we worship God together by addressing our Amen through Jesus to the Father in the Spirit (2 Cor 1:20). With Jesus (Eph 2:6; Rm 6:8), we are raised up to heaven in our worship and share in the life of the Father. In Jesus (Phil 3:9), we find our very life and share in the glory of the Father (2 Thes 1:12).

In the Mass, every person, prayer, praise, promise (2 Cor 1:20), and proclamation are all wrapped together and offered to God through, with, and in Jesus. In turn, God the Father shares His life with us through, with, and in Jesus in the unity of the Holy Spirit. Re-dedicate yourself often to God through Jesus in the Mass, even daily if possible. Joyfully immerse yourself in the worship of heaven. Experience the fullness of God — through, with, and in Jesus.

Prayer:  Thank You, Jesus, for lifting us up to the Father in the Mass. I will praise You in Eucharistic joy forever.

Promise:  “Your light must shine before men so that they may see goodness in your acts and give praise to your heavenly Father.” —Mt 5:16

Praise:  St. Anthony of Padua said: “Our humble and sincere request to the Spirit for ourselves should be that we may bring the day of Pentecost to fulfillment.”

Reference:  (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
(For a related teaching on Celebrating Mass in the Power of the Spirit, view, download or order our booklet on our website.)

Rescript:  "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from June 1, 2023, through July 31, 2023. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio December 14, 2022"

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.