Eucharist, a taste of eternity in time Pope John Paul II General Audience October 25, 2000 Dear Brothers and Sisters, The Eucharist which we celebrate here on earth is a sharing in the great Liturgy of heaven. When we sit at the Table of the Lord’s Supper, we anticipate the joy of the Messianic Banquet which awaits us in eternity. The Eucharist is not only food for us on our pilgrim way, but also the promise of what lies at our journey’s end when we enter the Kingdom of God. Being a celebration of our communion with Christ, it draws us into the life of God who is eternal. In this way, the Eucharist overcomes the barrier between time and eternity: it becomes a taste of eternity in time. Therefore, at the Table of the Lord’s Supper we who are destined to die taste immortality; we who know sorrow are touched by the glory which is the future which God has prepared for us in the Risen Christ.
I am happy to welcome the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors present here today. I greet the pilgrims from the Diocese of Portsmouth in England, led by Bishop Hollis, and from the United States, the Archdiocese of Portland, led by Archbishop Vlazny, the Diocese of Saint Petersburg, led by Bishop Lynch, the Diocese of Jackson, led by Bishop Houck, the Diocese of La Crosse, led by Bishop Burke, the Diocese of Wilmington, led by Bishop Saltarelli, and the Diocese of Albany, led by Bishop Hubbard. I gladly welcome the participants in the World Congress of the International Uro-Gynecological Association. Upon all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors, especially those from England, Wales and the United States of America, I invoke the joy and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ.