I was talking with a new friend of mine today, someone also involved in the Campaign. We were talking about the Holy Eucharist and churches like St. John the Evangelist in Naples, FL, which has its tabernacle in the back of the church and to the left, according to its website. I think it's amazing they'd have to tell people where the tabernacle is. Patty replied, "It's like inviting an honored guest to dinner and putting them at a card table in the basement." Amen! I know that it's not a perfect analogy, but something about what she said really struck me as true in my heart.
Jesus Himself, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, condescends to come from his Throne in Heaven so that he hide himself under the appearance of a little piece of bread. Can you imagine? It's mind-boggling that the Creator of the Universe and our own Creator--out of love for us-- would even do such a thing just so he could be near us and transform us. And yet some churches would choose to hide him away at some side altar, back room, or worse. He deserves nothing less than front and center in our churches and in our lives. It's God Himself, right?
To my mind, from what I'm hearing all around me, it's Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament who is in the center of our struggle because it is He who is misunderstood and maligned by the new churches proposed. I've been to many ugly, new churches in my day, usually while on vacation, visiting a friend, or while away for some reason. And let me tell you, the tabernacle is almost never where it should be. The newer the church--you know, those theaters in the round with the stadium seating--the more likely the tabernacle is stashed in some side room, while the musical paraphernalia and seating for the priest is in the center of the circle. I guess Jesus distracts from the show. Maybe that's why there's usually no crucifix in these churches, either.
Let me share with you one of my favorite meditations, from St. Francis of Assisi:
Let the whole of mankind tremble
the whole world shake
and the heavens exult
When Christ, the Son of the living God,
is [present] on the altar
in the hands of a priest.
O admirable heights and sublime lowliness!
O sublime humility!
O humble sublimity!
That the Lord of the universe,
God and the Son of God,
so humbles Himself
that for our salvation
He hides Himself under the little form of bread!
Look, brothers, at the humility of God
and pour out your hearts before Him!
Humble yourselves, as well,
that you may be exalted by Him.
Therefore,
hold back nothing of yourselves for yourselves
so that
He Who gives Himself totally to you
may receive you totally.
Just some thoughts I thought were worth sharing with you all.
Jesus Himself, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, condescends to come from his Throne in Heaven so that he hide himself under the appearance of a little piece of bread. Can you imagine? It's mind-boggling that the Creator of the Universe and our own Creator--out of love for us-- would even do such a thing just so he could be near us and transform us. And yet some churches would choose to hide him away at some side altar, back room, or worse. He deserves nothing less than front and center in our churches and in our lives. It's God Himself, right?
To my mind, from what I'm hearing all around me, it's Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament who is in the center of our struggle because it is He who is misunderstood and maligned by the new churches proposed. I've been to many ugly, new churches in my day, usually while on vacation, visiting a friend, or while away for some reason. And let me tell you, the tabernacle is almost never where it should be. The newer the church--you know, those theaters in the round with the stadium seating--the more likely the tabernacle is stashed in some side room, while the musical paraphernalia and seating for the priest is in the center of the circle. I guess Jesus distracts from the show. Maybe that's why there's usually no crucifix in these churches, either.
Let me share with you one of my favorite meditations, from St. Francis of Assisi:
Let the whole of mankind tremble
the whole world shake
and the heavens exult
When Christ, the Son of the living God,
is [present] on the altar
in the hands of a priest.
O admirable heights and sublime lowliness!
O sublime humility!
O humble sublimity!
That the Lord of the universe,
God and the Son of God,
so humbles Himself
that for our salvation
He hides Himself under the little form of bread!
Look, brothers, at the humility of God
and pour out your hearts before Him!
Humble yourselves, as well,
that you may be exalted by Him.
Therefore,
hold back nothing of yourselves for yourselves
so that
He Who gives Himself totally to you
may receive you totally.
Just some thoughts I thought were worth sharing with you all.