How is the Chaplet of Mercy a Eucharistic Prayer?

Bible: Jn 6:48-56
Cathechism: Paragraphs (#) 1366, 1394, 1397

For Christians, the word "memorial" does not mean an action of our mind, a mere "calling to mind", or "remembering", but in the case of Christ's sacrificial suffering and death, it means the making present and experiencing, here and now of the spiritual effects of that sacrifice upon us (Catechism #1366). The Last Supper and Calvary are made present to us at one and the same time whenever we participate in Holy Mass or Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

To be more precise, however, what actually happens at the Mass is that the participants are taken out of the dimension of earthly space and time, as we experience it, and are brought into the dimension of time from God's perspective. Theologians call this divine perspective, God's "eternal now." Simply put, it means that God sees and acts through everything that ever happened, is happening, or will be happening, in one and the same instant. In other words, all times and places are present before Him at once. Christ's one Sacrifice, at the Last Supper and on the Cross, is therefore eternally present before God, and its effects can be applied by HIm to any point of time in history-past, present, or future.

As Eucharistic Apostles of the Divine Mercy, then, we need to be keenly aware of what all this means when we pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet. In the first placce, our prayer becomes a spiritual sacrifice, the fruit of lips that acknowledge Jesus' name and all it stands for. As we pray: "For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world," we are not begging God to grant something He might be holding back from us, but offering a sacrifice of praise, we are acknowledging, affirming, acclaiming Him as the Merciful One who has in Christ, once-for-all, granted us all that we need to fulfill His purposes for us. We trust in HIs merciful providence concering every instant and every facet of our lives.

Works of Mercy Challenge No. 4: Feed the Hungry

Works of Mercy Challenge No. 4: Feed the Hungry

"For I Was Hungry and You Gave Me Food" (Mt 25:35)

Catholic Reflections on Food, Farmers, and Farmworkers from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

"The Challenge Ahead Through the eyes of faith, these tasks are not options, but obligations. The Catholic community is discovering with new urgency that our faith calls us to strengthen our presence and witness, our advocacy and action in defense of the human life and dignity of hungry people, farmers and farmworkers, and God’s creation.

Our Conference has called all Catholics to work to ensure A Place At The Table6 for all God’s children. Agriculture is at the heart of this moral challenge. As we have pointed out:

* A table is where families gather for food, but some have little food or no table at all.
* A table is where leaders gather in government and international negotiations and other forums to make decisions on trade and aid, subsidies and access. But some have no real voice at these tables.
* For Catholics, the table is the altar at which we gather for Eucharist to transform “the fruit of the vine and work of human hands” into the Body and Blood of Christ. It is also the table from which we are sent forth to secure “a place at the table” for all.

We cannot secure a place at the table for all without a more just agricultural system. Some small farmers are losing their place at the table. Some farmworkers never had a place. And so many people in our own land and around the world, seeking to feed their children, have no real place at that table. The moral measure of our efforts is how our community of faith works together to secure a place at the table of life for all God’s children."



So what can we as parishioners do?

* St. Martha's food pantry is step number 1. Give, volunteer!

* Buy locally-the Temecula Promenade hosts a Farmers Market every Wednesday in the parking lot

* Waste not, want not-teach children to eat ALL their food. They can offer up "sacrifices" for the less-fortunate when eating vegetables or other foods they dislike. Lead by example

* Be grateful-Don't forget to say Grace before all meals!:We are no more special than those that go without so show your gratitude by praying in thanksgiving for each meal you and your family have

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