The Eucharist is a community and spiritual exercise that builds communion – Bishop Hammawa

By Rachel Kogi, CSN News

At the Holy Mass today, September 10, 2022, in continuation of the CBCN second 2022 plenary in Orlu Diocese, the Bishop of Jalingo Diocese, Most Rev. Charles Hammawa, reiterated the building and renewing power of the Holy Eucharist in the life of the Church.

Basing his homily on the teaching of St. Paul that the Eucharist is a community and spiritual exercise, Bishop Hammawa affirmed that such an exercise “builds up the community in communion.”

In reference to the teaching of Jesus, the prelate noted that “the Eucharist we celebrate is our Christian life that must translate into action, into communion and into love and bear good fruits.” He thus called on all to “manifest sacrificial love, and offering of ourselves to one another,” noting that “the community of faith that celebrates the Eucharist must also be united in love, witnessing to one another in love.”

Quoting St. Augustine’s teaching on the Eucharist about “becoming what we eat and what we drink”, Bishop Hammawa concluded that “celebrating and living the Eucharist can be the greatest source of good in the world” and the Church should abide by the teachings, so that “it can be said of us, see how they love one another.”

It is the second day of the Bishops Conference. Day one witnessed an interactive session with the representatives of the Diocesan Priests body as well as a presentation on “Earth, our common home.” Today, the Bishops will be meeting with representatives of Catholics of Owerri Province at the Sacred Heart Pastoral/Retreat Centre, Orlu for an interactive session.