Understand The Times, International

Comment from UTT:

There are many Protestants (and also Roman Catholics) who do not understand that a consecrated wafer is supposed to be Jesus. The Roman Catholic "new evangelization" program is an attempt to educate the "brethren" and the "separated brethren" that this belief is the heart and core of the Roman Catholic faith. Please note the following statement that is found in the article titled "Pope in France: Eucharist is Jesus 'past, present and future' that will prove this point:

"Benedict knelt for a few moments of silent prayer before a monstrance, a container which exposes the consecrated host for adoration by the faithful".

Pope Benedict XVI offered a prayerful mediation on the Eucharist this evening in Lourdes, calling the consecrated host "the eternal presence of the savior of mankind to his church."

While tonight's reflection was spiritual and, at turns, even poetic, it also reflects a key leadership priority for Benedict XVI: promoting a deeper sense of Catholic identity in order to protect believers against the secular ethos of the West. Faith in the real presence of Christ in the consecrated bread and wine at Mass is a cornerstone of that identity.

Garbed in white liturgical vestments, Benedict said that the Eucharist makes Jesus present "past, present and future."

"The Eucharist is also Jesus Christ, future, Jesus Christ to come," the pope said.

"When we contemplate the sacred host, his glorious transfigured and risen Body, we contemplate what we shall contemplate in eternity, where we shall discover that the whole world has been carried by its Creator during every second of its history. Each time we consume him, but also each time we contemplate him, we proclaim him until he comes again, donec veniat. That is why we receive him with infinite respect."

Benedict closed by suggesting that the Eucharist carries within itself an inherently missionary dimension. The pope invited the crowd at Lourdes to "remain silent" for a period of adoration of the Eucharist after his remarks, but then to "tell the world" what they believe.

After he finished speaking, Benedict knelt for a few moments of silent prayer before a monstrance, a container which exposes the consecrated host for adoration by the faithful.