What is Worship?
The Loss of the Eucharist?
Photo By: Flickr/Lawrence OP
We are living a crazy moment in history, right this very minute. Yet, those who have gone before us have lived their own peculiar crazy moments of history as well. All the saints withstood struggles, challenges and griefs, yet they rose up and let all of it redeem themselves and all around them.
We may have lost the ability to receive Christ in the Eucharist right now, but we have NOT been denied the duty and obligation to give praise and worship by participation in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. As a matter of fact, I would argue that we may now have more of an opportunity than ever for this type of participation. It is certainly very different, but by participating remotely we can share in a unique way with brothers and sisters around the world, and other states, nations and all places. It truly is extraordinary, and there are many blessings that we can receive by embracing this and reveling in it. It is quite possible I believe to find a Mass at just about every hour on Sundays and multiple times on weekdays right now. It is our choice, though to see the opportunity or to dwell in the mire of complaint and the forlorn.
The Eucharist is not our right, and I have been reflecting on that notion that seems to be so prevalent now with many Catholics. The Eucharist is a gift, a tremendous gift that many of us have taken for granted for far too long. Perhaps this is a wake up call, that the Eucharist is something we should be grateful for and should relish and cherish. How many of us receive unworthily or in haste and without due reverence, week after week. Perhaps now if a wonderful time to reflect on that so we may never take the Eucharist and Christ for granted again.
We are in fact not being denied the Eucharist. The Eucharist is still present in every sanctuary and tabernacle of the world. So Christ is still with his people, and available still to many in adoration opportunities. Just because we can't receive him does not mean we are being denied his physical presence with us and in the world. He is just present to us in a much different way, and the longing to receive him again should and will if properly disposed make our reunions with him physically in the Eucharist an event filled with joy, excitement and love.
Pray for our priests, but most of all pray for our Bishops. They are making some monumental decisions right now, that are affecting many people's souls and salvation. They need the wisdom and prudence of the Holy Spirit now more than ever. I am sure these decision weigh heavy on the conscience and they are not easy. It is easy to question and be suspicious, and our church clerics have certainly not made trusting them an easy task. Through prayer and Grace, though, perhaps this tragic time time in our history can cause that healing and restoration of hope and trust that we so desperately The future of the salvation of so many depends on it.
Let us be obedient as we navigate our way through this storm, and let us relish Jesus present in the most Holy Eucharist, there for us all even if we are unable to receive him individually and personally. He lives and rights forever and ever, and most importantly through this horrible and frightening pandemic; but because he reigns we don't have to be afraid. All Glory Laud and Honor to Jesus, Redeemer King, to whom the lips of all the Saints, in glad Hosannas ring!
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About the Author
I am a wife and mother of two grown sons. Although I am Cradle Catholic, I experienced a profound reversion to the True faith several years ago that motivated and inspired me to dive more deeply into an understanding of the Church and Her teachings, and why She has these teachings and where they come from. Surprisingly, for me, the more I read and discovered, the deeper my love of the Catholic Church and her teachings became. This certainly is a journey that doesn't end, and so as I uncover more amazing facts about our Faith and Church, I just can't help but want to share what I'm learning. So, I began writing for Catholic 365.
I have recently served for a year and a half as the Executive Director of a very active and busy Crisis Pregnancy Center on the West side of Cincinnati. God is so good and does answers prayers, even though He knows at times, we have no idea what we are asking for. The pro life cause is paramount to our times, I am so honored and humbled to have had the experience and opportunity to serve women and the unborn in this capacity! I am also very grateful to God, for allowing me to see for myself, that perhaps such a calling was not His long term plan for me. We go where God seeminly calls us, and for me, that was a return to corporate America. I currently work as a recruiter and sales onboarding specialist where I am helping a Franchising company open and support small businesses that serve seniors and the elderly, giving them opportunities to age in place and live thier final chapters with dignity. It is the other end of the pro life spectrum and such an amazing endeavor!
I love being able to share this great faith of ours and use this platform as a way to express my deep love and devotion to our Lord. We need each other, and this effort has truly become a wonderful way to connect with all of you- my brothers and sisters in Christ!
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