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“... of one heart and soul” (Acts 4:32)
22. At
each Holy Mass we are called to measure ourselves against the ideal of
communion which the Acts of the Apostles paints as a model for the
Church in every age. It is the Church gathered around the Apostles, called by
the word of God, capable of sharing in spiritual goods but in material goods as
well (cf. Acts 2:42-47; 4:32-35). In this Year of the Eucharist
the Lord invites us to draw as closely as possible to this ideal. Every effort
should be made to experience fully those occasions mentioned in the liturgy for
the Bishop's “Stational Mass”, which he celebrates in the cathedral together
with his presbyters and deacons, with the participation of the whole People of
God. Here we see the principal “manifestation” of the Church.20 It
would be praiseworthy to specify other significant occasions, also on
the parochial level, which would increase a sense of communion and find in the
Eucharistic celebration a source of renewed fervour.
The Lord's Day
23. In a
particular way I ask that every effort be made this year to experience Sunday
as the day of the Lord and the day of the Church. I would be happy if everyone
would reflect once more on my words in the Apostolic Letter Dies Domini.
“At Sunday Mass, Christians relive with particular intensity the experience of
the Apostles on the evening of Easter, when the Risen Lord appeared to them as
they were gathered together (cf. Jn 20:19). In a sense, the People of
God of all times were present in that small nucleus of disciples, the
first-fruits of the Church”.21 During this year of grace, priests in
their pastoral ministry should be even more attentive to Sunday Mass as
the celebration which brings together the entire parish community, with the
participation of different groups, movements and associations.
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