May is here at last! I am particularly fond of this month. Spring opens up the landscape. There is a feeling of revival and renewal in the air. Nature begins to call us out of ourselves igniting hearts. As spring fever sets in, many of us direct our loving gaze towards our mother, Mary.
Mary has guided me through more than a few storms. When I was young my Dad taught me to pray the rosary when I was afraid. Over the years, what began as a practice of therapeutic rote recitation evolved in into something more prayerful. I learned to to open myself up to the mysteries of the rosary. The mysteries helped me see Christ’s life more clearly and drew me closer to Him. For many years this was my favorite way to spend time with the Lord.
Eventually, through the guidance of friends and mentors I started spending more time with the Lord in Scripture. I continued my daily rosary, but added some time reflecting on scripture. The Word often brings clarity, consolation, and direction when I need it. The Word has strengthened my friendship with Christ and others in the Christian community. My strongest friendships have been forged over the fire of scripture.
Each of these practices takes some effort and intentionality on my part. However, Christ has been with me in another very real way over the years. In today’s reading, Jesus says:
Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink his Blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my Flesh is true food, and my Blood is true drink. Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever (John 6:52-59).
What a strange thing to say. It must have been shocking to his hearers. Yet, as Christ founded his Church he left us a means to do this very thing. He left us a means to consume Him and allow Him to work within us in an extraordinary way. Ironically, the most visible means we have for encountering Christ works within us in the most mysterious non-visible manner. As my faith has grown so has my love for the Eucharist.
Recently, the laity has had to rely on other means to walk with and stay close to Christ, but soon this sacrament will be restored to us. As I spend time praying with Mary this month, I ask her to bring us all back to her son. Mary, help me prepare to receive your Son with a pure and humble heart. Help renew my faith and invigorate my hope in His power to heal and strengthen every part of us all.
Our Lady of Grace at St. Patrick’s in Anchorage, AK
Extraordinary Minister
An Ode to the Eucharist
Now I was the cupbearer to the King
I watch them come one by one
As ripples of sound fill my ears
He is dressed in dust
Hands dignified by work
She shakes with age
Eyes of wisdom
He stumbles with worry
Unsteady steps walk in trust
She juggles the gifts of life
Heart of grace
Slowly I pass each
Drops of eternity
Witnessing His Love in every note
His mind to mend every crack
Patient Desire honoring each gate
O Divinity surge
Compose emend I plead
Transmutable scale that I am
But that is not the way of Eternity
Unconstrained by measure
Persistently waiting assent
Wonderous Love dripping down as Beyond
Love that feels sorrow pain joy peace
Love that creates rebuilds lingers echoes
I ask you my Lord to engulf me
In your eternal utterance
My particles find unity
For though they are many in you One
Creator of Light and Firmament
Keeper of Beyond mend our chambers
Renew us little drops of eternity
Entirely our own
Entirely Yours
Marks of harmony