The Eucharist sustains those who are tired, worn out or lost in the world and transforms human sin and weakness into new life, Pope Benedict XVI said. Speaking at his weekly general audience Jan. 11, the pope focused on Jesus and the Last Supper, where he instituted the Eucharist, “the sacrament of his body and blood. Jesus’ gift of himself anticipates his sacrifice on the cross and his glorious resurrection,” the pope said.
He offers his life before it is taken from him on the cross and as such “transforms his violent death into a free act of giving himself for others. Violence immediately is transformed into an active, free and redemptive sacrifice,” the pope said. The pope said that, at the Last Supper, Jesus prayed for his disciples, especially Peter, warning him, according to the Gospel of Luke, that “Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat.” But Jesus prayed that his disciple’s faith would not fail and that Peter, who would betray Jesus, would return to strengthen the others’ faith, the pope said. “The Eucharist is food for pilgrims, which becomes (a source of) strength also for those who are tired, worn out and lost,” he said.
VATICAN CITY (CNS)