Jesus is always with us in the Sacrament of the Eucharist

Pope John Paul II

General Audience

August 9, 2000

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

At recent General Audiences we have been reflecting on how God continually seeks out humanity in the course of history. Today we look at the supreme encounter between God and man which took place when Jesus, the divine Son, became man and lived among us. This central event of human history reveals the depths of God’s love for us. In the Gospels we see how people were transformed through their meeting with Jesus. Many were converted from their sinful ways, while others generously took up his invitation to leave all things to follow him. The purpose of his mission was to lead us back to the house of the Father. To sustain and guide us on our earthly pilgrimage Jesus sent the Holy Spirit, the source of divine love in our lives. As we travel this journey, Jesus continues to be with us, especially through his word and the sacraments, and most particularly in the Sacrament of the Eucharist.

I extend a special greeting to the young Benedictine monks gathered for the Congressus Iuniorum of their Order. Dear Brothers, I encourage you to be convincing witnesses to other young people of the great Christian ideals contained in the Rule of Saint Benedict. Upon all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors, especially those from England, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Japan, Canada and the United States of America, I invoke the abundant blessings of Almighty God.