Explore the Treasures - Part 3

     In this segment of our series, we will focus on the Eucharist.

     The Eucharist is called the Sacrament of the Presence of Christ, Who gives Himself to us completely. The word Eucharist means Thanks – giving. Jesus is truly Present – Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity – the same Jesus who was born in Nazareth, walked the streets of our world, suffered and died for us and rose from the dead and  now sits at the right hand of the Father.

     The Eucharist is Jesus. The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life. As Catholics, we are called each week to gather together as the Family of God, and celebrate the Eucharist. Attending Mass each week is not just a nice suggestion, but a commandment from God and a precept of the Church.

     At Mass, we have the great privilege to receive Jesus in Holy Communion. Attending Mass each week needs to become a priority. If we believed that Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist and is not just a symbol, we would be willing to make the effort to be there to receive Him. The gifts and the graces that are poured into our souls by a worthy reception of Holy Communion will enable us and our families to carry out the duties of our vocations. Each task and service that we perform, when offered to God, will bring Him glory and bring about our salvation.  

     Our Church tells us that when we receive Our Lord in Holy Communion, we should be transformed into another Christ. If this is true, why are we not transformed? Is the sacrament ineffective? What can we do to make it happen?

     First of all, we need to believe in the power of the Eucharist – that Jesus IS truly present and we will become not WHAT, but WHO we eat. WHEN this happens, Mass will take on a new meaning for us! Our Mass attendance will no longer be an obligation. We will begin to hunger for Jesus, from one reception of Holy Communion to the next. This will have a positive effect upon our families and will change their attitudes as well.

     Getting a family together and ready for Mass can be a challenge! Our children need to know it’s worth the effort. They need to begin to see Mass as not only a small way of giving our time to God, but as a real necessity – like physical nourishment is to us – without the Eucharist, we would not spiritually survive!

    “The Lord addresses an invitation to us, urging us to receive Him in the sacrament of the Eucharist: ‘Truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink His blood, you have no life in you’” (CCC 1384).

     We need to take Jesus at His word and make Mass a priority in our lives and the lives of our children.  It’s important as parents, that we explain the Mass to our children and help them to understand just what is happening and why it is so vital for the life of our souls.

     Upon entering Church, bless yourself and have your children bless themselves with holy water. Explain to them that it is a reminder of our Baptism. When the priest poured holy water on our head, “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,” we became God’s children. As His family we now gather in His House.

     Children are so impressionable! So please, always remember to genuflect before the tabernacle if you walk past it, or before you sit in your pew, and teach your children to do the same. If we believe that Jesus Christ is truly present, we need to acknowledge His presence with respect.

     Attending Mass with young children can be a challenge. They often vie for our attention while we’re trying to be present and participate in the liturgy. I have some suggestions that may be helpful.

     Sit up front, close to the altar. When all that children can see are the backs of people, they can become bored and restless very easily. It is easier to hold their attention and explain what is happening when they are able to see it.

     Have a special Mass kit: children’s Mass books, picture books about Jesus, Mary and the saints, quiet toys, and paper and pencils for drawing.

     Explain to your children ahead of time that this is a special time that we spend with God. Help them to see it as an honor and not an obligation. When you love someone, spending time with them is not a sacrifice. God loves us very much and longs for our visits!

     Teach your children that the Mass is divided into two parts: the liturgy of the Word – when God’s love letters are read to us; and the liturgy of the Eucharist – when Jesus is made present in the bread and wine.

     Before the Gospel is proclaimed, we cross ourselves on our forehead, our lips and our hearts, as we pray silently this little prayer: My God, let Your Word, be in my mind, on my lips and in my heart. It’s important for children to understand why we do the things we do at Mass. It will turn our actions into a prayer instead of a mindless gesture.

     To help with your own participation, reading the scriptures that will be proclaimed at Mass ahead of time, is a wonderful idea. When you are already familiar with the readings, it helps cut down on distractions around you and allows you to be more receptive to the message God has just for you!

     When we read scripture, it is important to pray to the Holy Spirit to help us to see what He is trying to tell us. Is He calling me to change? Is God proclaiming His great love for me? What is He saying to me?

     The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us that in Holy Scripture, the Father who is in heaven comes lovingly to meet His children and talks with them. What a beautiful thought to bring to mind as we sit to read God’s word!

     After the Gospel is read, the priest gives a homily. We need to let go of the expectation of “what we get out of Mass,” depends on who’s saying it. Our Church teaches, “Christ is the principal agent of the Eucharist. It is Christ Himself who presides invisibly over every Eucharist celebration.”

     The priest acts in persona Christi – in the person of Christ -- so the way we think or feel about the priest has no effect on the graces that are given to us. It shouldn’t matter how good the homily is – the graces of the Eucharist can and should transform us. Our focus needs to be on God and giving Him the worship He so deserves and not on ourselves.

     The Mass and the Eucharist are God’s gift to us. We will continue on this journey, when we further  explore the treasures of our Catholic faith!