Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament

Province of Saint Ann

St Ann Crown red

Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament

Province of Saint Ann

St Ann Crown red
Eymard stained glass window

Daily Eucharistic Reflections

October 31, 2024

Today, many people around the world celebrate Halloween. This highly commercialized, secular holiday dates back thousands of years through to the ancient Celtic holiday of Samhain, a pagan festival celebrating the end of summer and its harvests with people lighting bonfires and wearing costumes to ward off ghosts and demons associated with the oncoming dark days of winter. Pope Boniface IV instituted a coinciding All Saints Day in the 7th century, which eventually was designated to be celebrated on November 1st, occasioning October 31st to be All Hallows’ Eve, or as it’s commonly called, Halloween.

Fittingly, our readings for today speak to us about evil spirits, battles, and putting on armor. In the first reading, we are instructed to draw strength and put on armor to stand firm against the Devil. Still, our protective covering must be fabricated with righteousness, faith, prayer, supplication, and perseverance. The responsorial psalm blesses our Lord for training us for combat yet acknowledges the same Lord as our mercy and fortress, a shield delivering David from the evil sword. Luke’s gospel begins with a warning for Jesus to leave because Herod wants to kill him, but Jesus assures him that he has the power to cast out demons and perform healings. He then explains that he must be on his way, noting that he will not be seen until the time comes when it may be said, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”

At every Eucharistic celebration, we proclaim our faith as we pray the Sanctus, recognizing that Jesus Christ is indeed the one “…who comes in the name of the Lord”. May we reflect on the meaning of Jesus’ life and death and clothe ourselves in his love as we live his command to bring about the kingdom, his will being done.

Prayer:

“Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.” Amen.

 

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We are a Catholic religious congregation of priests, deacons and brothers whose mission is to share the riches of God’s love manifested in the Eucharist.

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