ELISHEBA BLOGLaura, Ivonne, and Rick
write about their lives in the Eucharist. |
ELISHEBA BLOGLaura, Ivonne, and Rick
write about their lives in the Eucharist. |
By: Ivonne J. Hernandez Brothers and sisters: I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread, and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, "This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes. (1 Corinthians 11:23-26) We have embarked together on another Lenten journey. As the boat leaves the shore, I can still see the silhouettes of what has been left behind. Looking ahead I see the open water, and maybe some dark clouds in the distance. The clouds are still far though, and the anticipation of what is to come fills me with excitement and maybe a little fear. Thinking I might have forgotten something, I go over the things I’ve packed for the journey: sacrifices to offer during Lent (fasting), new or renewed devotionals (prayer), commitments to serve my brothers and sisters (almsgiving). Check, check and check. I look around and see my fellow travelers busily looking through their own luggage and checking their schedules for all the wonderful opportunities available to grow during this journey. Everyone seems too busy to notice the dark clouds ahead, and I wonder if we are truly ready for what lies ahead.
I think it is human nature to forget the “bad stuff” and focus on the good. Each year, when we celebrate Easter, the difficulties of Lent melt away. When my son was born, the pain and difficulties during the pregnancy and labor melted away as I saw this miracle in my arms. But now that he is a teenager, I remind him every now and then of all the sacrifices we made so that he could be born. I do not do this to make him feel bad. On the contrary, I do it to make him feel loved. When I shared with him how my life was at risk during the pregnancy, and how we rearranged our whole lives so he could have a chance to live, he looked at me and said, “I was loved before I was born.” And I told him, “Yes you were my love.” This is what Lent is about. We remember how much God loves us. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life” (Jn 3:16). I guess we are not ready yet, and that is precisely the point of the journey. Our Church invites us on this journey of growth and preparation. The path through Calvary is narrow, and, in order to make it through, we will need to let go of some of the things we are holding on to. Are we holding on to resentment, anger, or unforgiveness? Are we holding on to fear? Ask God to show you what extra baggage He wants you to get rid of; to show you what is keeping you from running to His love. And then, once He shows you, just let it go. Give it all to Him and watch how it all gets burned away in His love and transformed in His hands. “Do this in Remembrance of Me.”
0 Comments
Now, what did God do for Mary? He associates her with His great mystery. The Father calls her His daughter, the Son loves her as His Mother, while the Holy Ghost guards her as His spouse. She was destined to share in the great work of divine power. She is associated with the empire of God Himself. (Eymard Library Volume 7, page 29) Dearest Eucharistic Family, Our Lenten season will begin very soon. We will once again be journeying with Jesus through His passion and death to the glory of Easter. My husband and I were recently reminiscing about times past. In many of these memories were distinct times of uncertainty for the stability of our family. In the unknown, the great mystery, there is a special formation of our souls. Through our acceptance of the mystery, a union with God is created and a trust with Our Father in Heaven is established. We can ask ourselves the above question: “What did God do for Mary?” We can apply a similar question to our Lenten walk: “What will God do for me through my participation?” We can give up many things, we can offer up all kinds of sacrifices; these are all good practices. However, the acknowledgement of our espousal to the Holy Spirit and His guardianship for our souls, along with nurturing our relationship with Jesus and Mary in prayer and carrying the dignity as a child of God holds a higher offering. Are we allowing God to form our souls? In being God’s precious children are we careful to what we listen to on the radio, watch on the tv, or view with our eyes? Mary shared in the empire of God Himself, “destined to share in the great work of divine power”. Mary was able to share in God’s life through the receptivity of her life, the awareness that God was forming her soul for the eternal. Mary was attentive to what God did for her; He opened her heart to a love that would live forever in the great mystery that surpassed her earthly journey. Mary lived as a daughter, mother and spouse to the Trinity perfectly since she rejoiced in the stability of her Father’s love. The instability of life did not abandon her to exile; her soul was forever rooted in heaven. Perhaps this Lent could be for us a time of commitment to prayer, either in the quiet, or prayer brought into our daily duties. Consider making a commitment throughout the Lenten season to get to daily Mass or to offer up a fervent spiritual Communion prayer. Spiritual Communion: My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most Holy Sacrament. I love you above all things and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I unite myself wholly to You; never permit me to be separated from You. |
Categories
All
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
AuthorsWe are Ivonne J. Hernandez, Rick Hernandez and Laura Worhacz, Lay Associates of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament, and brothers and sisters in Christ. |