Do This in Memory of Me: Be Vigilant

By: Laura Catherine Worhacz

“Hearts speak without words, and understand each other. Two flames together, do not speak, but they understand, the heart speaks through love. The heart of Jesus united with the heart of the most Blessed Virgin in conversations of love.”  (Saint Peter Julian Eymard, speaking to the Servants of the Blessed Sacrament)
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​Dearest Eucharistic Family,
 
Happy and blessed Thanksgiving. Our Church, always on mission, is moving into another liturgical season. Together let us enter into Advent by the heart of Mary. She will help us draw our strength from the Eucharist, the only place to escape the imminent tribulations.
 
Recently after receiving holy Communion, I went back to my pew, kneeling in prayer; I was overwhelmed with gratitude. Reminiscing in my mind the beauty of creation, the blessing of my life, family, friends, and the privilege to go to daily Mass and receive JESUS.
 
Let us be in conversations of love during this upcoming Advent Season, in contemplation of prayer and silence to hear the voice of God. As our love grows, trust is secured, and a steadfast spirit will rise. Through our reception of Holy Communion, in spite of our lowliness, we begin to see what God sees in the light of the sacred mysteries. Time spent in the True Presence of the Eucharist enlightens us to understand the scriptures, the Word of God. By grace, the Word penetrates the silence of our souls. It lives in the mystery of our existence; quiet time this Advent will draw us into the depth of the gift God hopes for us to receive this Christmas. 
 
To be vigilant, love is necessary; to love someone is to ignite a flame in our hearts. As we prepare for Christmas, we are preparing to love more, to find the Christ child, and learn from His humble life.
 
Jesus’ presence among us glorified Our Father in Heaven; it revealed an exaltation of love, an echo from above resounding into our souls, with the Holy Spirit to guide us. 
 
Love inspires vigilance. In preparation for Christmas, it is customary in our time to give gifts of love. The perfect gift for those we love to express our profound gratitude for their presence in our lives. A gift for Heaven may be time spent in prayer to give thanks for the desire to learn how to share. To be responsibly stewarding in our families and communities.
 
What is the greatest Christmas gift you have ever given?
 
What is the greatest Christmas gift you have ever received?
 
My cousin’s husband had a brain tumor many years ago and needed surgery during Advent. My three little cousins would not receive gifts that year since their dad was ill. I was working as a hairdresser at the time, and one of my customers, a teacher, was moved with compassion as I shared about my cousin’s illness. Miraculously toys were collected through the vigilance of this lovely teacher—people of goodwill came forth. My cousin’s family was embraced with love, “hearts that speak through love in conversations of love (above quote).” 
 
The greatest gift I have ever received is the birth of my daughters. Whether we are spiritual parents or physical, or both, the gift of love for those we nurture to grow is beyond telling. God is revealed in the most miraculous way when a child is born. Eyes opened wide, recognizing voices they have heard in the womb is an expression of wonder, a reminder of the expectation of Christmas. We are birthed into the family of God by baptism, and the Sacraments give the voices we have heard in the womb a vigilance of spirit, the City of God living in us.
 
We are blessed year after year to grow in God’s grace through the Advent Season. Jesus asks us to be vigilant (Luke 21:34-36), to gain strength, and to live in an exercise of love; this will renew our spirits. Gifts are to be given and received, an exchange of love poured out.
 
Saint Peter Julian Eymard lived on earth by the heart and by the hand of Mary. This relationship nurtured him to become a Gift of Self and led him to the founding of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament. Advent blessings!  

“Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:36)
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Laura Catherine Worhacz

Laura Catherine Worhacz is a Lay Associate of the Blessed Sacrament and author of Consecration to Jesus Through Our Lady of The Blessed Sacrament. She is also the Director of Mothers of The Blessed Sacrament. She lives in Trinity, FL with her husband and their two daughters.