St Peters RC Church Hamilton

“Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ and has given us
the ministry of reconciliation...” 2 Corinthians 5 v 18
The Eucharist is our rejoicing, acknowledging this.
Like the other sacraments, the Eucharist is a celebration,
A dedication of mankind to God, upon His initiative,
With essential elements of thanksgiving for the involvement of the Trinity.
Our ability to be in contact with the holy
Depends mainly on the initiative of Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
Inviting us to respond to their intention, intervention.
This is exactly what happens in the Eucharist,
As the Lord Jesus, Lord of the Passover, as seen at the Last Supper,
Makes Himself available to us in communion,
Such a blessed, perfect and holy union of man with God.
“...that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to
them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5 v 19
Jesus’ real presence in the Eucharist makes perfect
This means by which we can seek God’s purpose of holiness.
Jesus is God with us, His holy Word, the promised atonement.
Taught us by the influential, deferential Spirit.
The Spirit as Purifier and Sanctifier has to maintain impact upon us.
He draws us to Jesus most closely by means of the Eucharist.
Jesus’ body and blood offered as faith’s nourishment,
The real and eternal bread from heaven,
Jesus blood as offered up for us upon the † of sacrifice,
A reminder of the price paid for our forgiveness.
Reconciliation is celebration in the Eucharist.
“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us; we implore you
on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5 v 20

“For He made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in
Him.” 2 Corinthians 5 v 21
In the Eucharist, we remember the Lord Jesus, on the † made sin for us, that we may be
considered righteous, reconciled to You, Father. No wonder the Eucharist is a celebration of
reconciliation.
Psalm 80 v 3 NIV “Restore us, O God; make Your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.” For as You
take us to Yourself, making us Your own family in Jesus, we are called to the ministry of
reconciliation.
What power is at work in the sacrament of reconciliation, preparing us for the Eucharist. “I will
Jeremiah 30 v 17 NIV restore you to health...” You promised and now You set about this, thank You.

This is the same power of love that we meet in Jesus, at the Eucharist, the memorial of
forgiveness and new life. We feast on Him to become a new creation, the result of reconciliation.
There is no refreshment more effective than this restoration and reconciliation offered during the
Eucharist. “For You, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears,
Psalm 116 v 8 NIV my feet from stumbling.”
Psalm 68 v 19 NIV “Praise be to the Lord, to God our Saviour,” to the Lord Jesus our Redeemer Brother, to the
Holy Spirit, Lord of our reconciliation and restoration, the Purifier and Sanctifier.
To be made a new creation in Christ Jesus is such an invaluable gift of new life packed full of
good and godly purpose, we should not fail to thank You and rejoice.
Psalm 92 v 4 NIV
the singular “For You make us glad by Your deeds, O LORD, we sing for joy at the work of Your
changed to plural hands.” Thank You for making the path of life known to us by Jesus.
Eternal pleasures open up before us in the Eucharist, the celebration of reconciliation. A blessed
life of godliness is made possible by Jesus, Your living, enduring Word, the living hope offering
us new birth. How happy we are to come to the Eucharist! Amen.

09.07.18