God is Near Us: The Eucharist, the Heart of Life

by Pope Benedict XVI

Publisher:

Ignatius

, 2003

Overview

The Second Vatican Council says, “We ought to try to discover a new reverence for the Eucharistic mystery. Something is happening that is greater than anything we can do. The liturgy is the summit toward which the activity of the church is directed; it is the font from which all her power flows.”

This profound statement about the Eucharist stands at the center of this book by Cardinal Ratzinger. He compellingly shows us the biblical, historical, and theological dimensions of the Eucharist. The Cardinal draws far-reaching conclusions, focusing on the importance of one’s personal devotion to and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, for the personal reception of communion by the individual Christian as well as for the life of the church. For Ratzinger, any transformation of the world on the social plane grows out of the celebration of the Eucharist. He beautifully illustrates how the omnipotent God comes intimately close to us in the holy Eucharist, the heart of life.

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Key Features

• Introduction by the editors
• Bibliographical references

Contents

Top Highlights

“We do not want God as near as that; we do not want him so small, humbling himself; we want him to be great and far away.” (Page 75)

“Resurrection means quite simply that the body ceases to be a limit and that its capacity for communion remains” (Page 81)

“The Eucharist is a sacrifice, the presentation of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross.” (Page 44)

“Body, in the language of the Bible, denotes rather the whole person, in whom body and spirit are indivisibly one. ‘This is my Body’ therefore means: This is my whole person, existent in bodily form.” (Page 79)

“Communion and adoration do not stand side by side, or even in opposition, but are indivisibly one. For communicating means entering into fellowship.” (Page 97)

Praise for the Print Edition

Not only does Ratzinger shed his customary theological light on many subjects, but as he does in other books, he applies his insights very directly to Catholic life and devotion. Coming at this time, this book is part of the effort of many to see the Eucharist restored to the center of Catholic piety and devotion.

—Fr. Benedict Groeschel, C. F. R., author, The Rosary: Chain of Hope

Product Details

• Title: God is Near Us: The Eucharist, the Heart of Life
• Author: Joseph Ratzinger
• Editors: Stephan Otto Horn and Vinzenz Pfnür
• Translator: Henry Taylor
• Publisher: Ignatius
• Publication Date: 2003
• Pages: 160

About Pope Benedict XVI

Pope Benedict XVI was the 265th pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the head of the Roman Catholic Church. He was elected on 19 April 2005 in a papal conclave, celebrated his Papal Inauguration Mass on 24 April 2005, and took possession of his cathedral, the Basilica of St. John Lateran, on 7 May 2005. A native of Bavaria, Pope Benedict XVI has both German and Vatican citizenship.