Jun 14, 2017
Fr Martin writes…
“The words of Christ given as heading to today’s Gospel call for reflection at two levels: the message of Christ’s presence in the Eucharist in our own lives and in the society in which we live, and the problems encountered by the young people and others today regarding belief in Christ’s presence in the Eucharist under the symbols, or the species, of bread and wine. Many find it hard to believe this, and fail to understand it. We can reflect on both points for a while.
The Eucharist has been at the source and centre of Christianity down through the ages, and still remains so. Reflection on it brings to mind many demands of Christian living, as many as belief in the living Christ himself does. Instituted at the Last Supper, the last of his meals with followers, it recalls the many meals during his life and the significance of these, eating with the marginalized and the outcast.
In Mark’s Gospel, after the multiplications of the loaves, in a journey across the Sea of Galilee the evangelist notes that the apostles had forgotten to bring bread with them, having only one loaf. Jesus warns of the danger of certain leaven (yeast). The apostles think that he is referring to their lack of bread. Jesus reminds them of his multiplication of the loaves, and of their lack of understanding of the significance of the miracle (Mark 8:14-21). It is a curious text, but the point seems to be that Jesus is calling on his apostles (and the church) to reflect on the miracle of the loaves, his meals; eventually, the bread and wine become Eucharist, and we reflect on their significance as a sign and pledge of his saving and encouraging presence with the church, in times of need and always. There are so many aspects of the Eucharistic mystery that call for reflection.
The real presence of Christ under the species of bread and wine is a mystery, to be understood by faith. Already in Christ’s day, as represented in John’s Gospel, his Jewish listeners objected: ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’ Jesus replies, insisting on his teaching. Many of his disciples said, ‘This is a hard teaching; who can listen to it?’, and Jesus replied, ‘What if you were to see the Sin of Man ascending where he was before?’ (John 6:52-65).
We grasp the mystery of his Eucharistic presence better when we consider it in the context of Jesus, true man and true God, his ascent into heaven, and enthronement at God’s right hand. Down through the centuries, the Church has taken Jesus’ words on the bread and wine as his body and blood literally and lived with the mystery, a mystery as ever hard to put in human words. She has refused the view that the bread and wine only represent the body and blood of Christ. At the consecration, there is a transformation, in some way, of the elements involved – the bread and the wine. Her belief was incarnated in the respect for the bread and wine after the consecration, in the reservation of the Blessed Sacrament and in Eucharistic devotion. These were the manners in which the faithful expressed, and continue to express, their faith in Christ’s Eucharistic presence.
When the belief was challenged by Berengarius, the Church formally responded in 1079 that at the consecration the bread and wine were substantially changed into the body and blood of Christ. In the Fourth Lateran Council (1215), this change was referred to as transubstantiation. The Council of Trent (1551) took up the question once again at the Reformation, affirming that this change at the consecration the ‘holy Catholic Church properly and appropriately calls transubstantiation’, words repeated in the more recent (1994) Catechism of the Catholic Church (Paragraph 1376). Such Christian and Catholic beliefs as ‘consubstantial’ and ‘transubstantiation’, not being words current in ordinary discourse, should not be the subjects of popular opinion polls. They are terms chosen by the Church to make clear her position on certain mysteries.”
For more articles written by Fr Martin, please visit the Sunday Scripture Online.
Feb 20, 2017
This spring, we are delighted to unveil a new look for the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. With a new design, a new logo, and a new and improved website, we’re looking to the future as we continue our work in building a better world for all of God’s people.
Here at mscmissions.ie, we’ve made it easier for you to learn about who we are and what we do. You can take a step back in time and discover the history and heritage of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, explore our different mission projects around the world, support our ongoing work as we change lives for the better, learn more about the life of a missionary priest, or visit our Cards & Gifts section and have our Mass cards and devotional gifts delivered directly to your door.
Our new site also invites you to pray with our MSCs. Pause for thought with our prayers and reflections, submit a prayer request for a special intention, light a candle for a loved one, or join in with Masses streamed directly from the Sacred Heart Church in Cork by watching our live video feed.
Our face may have changed, but the heart of our MSC mission remains the same: “To be on earth the heart of God”. Our missionaries all over the world continue to work tirelessly towards building brighter futures for those in need. Be sure to check in regularly to hear about our latest mission projects and see how your donations are changing lives for the better – your support makes all the difference.
READ MORE ABOUT THE NEW MSC LOGO
Feb 17, 2017
The Missionaries of the Sacred Heart are delighted to introduce a fresh new look and design. Along with the launch of our new website, we are delighted to reveal our new logo, which is a more modern representation of our traditional values and beliefs.
We’ve developed our new logo with our time-honoured mission in mind: “To be on earth the heart of God”. The main elements of our logo have not changed, as we continue to use the image of the Sacred Heart and the cross to represent our Society.
The Heart
The heart in our logo represents the heart of Christ, God’s compassionate love as it was made real on earth. The open heart creates an embrace, wrapping around the cross in a protective and caring way, just as our mission is to help and care for others in the image of God’s merciful love.
The Cross
The cross in our logo represents Jesus. It is positioned in the middle of the Sacred Heart, as Jesus is right at the centre of everything that we stand for and do as Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. This is not a cross of pain or suffering, but a joyful celebration of the life of Christ and the love of God.
These elements come together to represent the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart and our ongoing work in today’s world. Our mission remains the same as ever: to make God’s love known everywhere and to everyone, without conditions. In the combination of the Sacred Heart and the Cross, our new MSC logo pays a respectful nod to our heritage, our history, and our traditions, while the new design also reflects our sense of hope and forward-thinking for the future of our missions.
Since our foundation in the 1800s, the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart have worked to make God’s love known throughout the world, bringing hope to the people and places that need it most. We now look ahead to a new and exciting chapter in the MSC story as we strive to continue this great work, growing and adapting to the different challenges and circumstances of today’s world. We hope you will join us on our journey.
PLEASE HELP US TO HELP OTHERS
Feb 16, 2017
The dark days of winter are coming to an end, and the dawning of Spring is on the horizon. In this season of renewal and hope, we pause to appreciate the beauty of the world around us, and to reflect on life’s changes and challenges.
As we look with hopeful hearts to the new season ahead, we celebrate the rebirth of the world around us – just as Jesus rose from the tomb and was born again in the light of God’s love for us all.
There is real wisdom, Lord, in the adage
“It is always Springtime in the heart that loves God.”
Springtime is a season of optimism and hope,
and the Christian lives a faith centred on hope.
Winter, with its cold dark days has gone,
just as Good Friday as passed to Easter and beyond.
We live a resurrection life
reflected in the new life springing up around us.
Thank you, Lord, for the hope that you bring,
the renewal that you bring,
both to this world and to our hearts and lives.
Feb 15, 2017
The recent announcement of Pope Francis’ 2018 visit to Ireland has been the source of much excitement and anticipation, with the Archdiocese of Dublin confirming that preparations are already underway.
Pope Francis will be travelling to Ireland to attend the World Meeting of Families in August 2018. His visit was confirmed by Enda Kenny after a meeting with the Pontiff in the Vatican on November 28th, 2016, after which the Taoiseach tweeted:
“Pope Francis has been an important voice for the young, the poor & disadvantaged – glad he will visit Ireland in 2018” (@EndaKennyTD).
The World Meeting of Families will take place in Dublin over a three-day period, from August 22nd to August 26th, 2018. This event aims to “strengthen the sacred bonds of the family unit across the globe”, and is organised by the Vatican’s Dicastry for the Laity, Family, and Life.
This will be the first visit to Ireland by a sitting Pope since John Paul II’s trip in 1979. One of the highlights of his visit was an open-air Mass in Dublin’s Phoenix Park on Saturday, September 29th, 1979, when 1.25 million people came together to celebrate the Catholic faith with our Church leader.
While a schedule has not yet been set in place for the Pope Francis’ Irish visit, it is set to be a momentous occasion for the Catholic community in Ireland. Archbishop Diarmuid Martin is one of many who have expressed their enthusiasm, saying that the Pontiff’s visit will be “an important gift” to the Catholic Church, in Ireland and all over the world.
