Our Catholic heritage of devotional practices offers us a treasure trove of means, new as well as old, from which we can select whatever helps us to deepen our encounter with Christ so that we might draw closer to God. As we continue the last decade of the twentieth century and prepare for the celebration of the 2,000th anniversary of Christ's birth, let us grow in our conviction about the importance of the Holy Eucharist in bringing about this much needed interior renewal. I can think of no better way to ask the Lord to renew us than for us to turn to him more fervently in this Mystery of Faith. And I can think of no better way for us to respond to the grace he offers than by gathering around the supreme gift of Christ - the gift of Himself in the Eucharist. Only in this way, I am convinced, will our renewal be authentic.
Authentic renewal goes far beyond our individual lives and family limits.
It must embrace the community in active and energetic ways. Love cannot contain itself. By its nature, it overflows and reaches out to all. Renewal begins with a eucharistic heart, and continues with an increasing awareness of our importance as children of God and sisters and brothers of Christ. As the years pass and our prayer deepens, we begin to know with St. Paul that Christ truly lives in us.