The Pilgrim Log
Weekly Inspiration to Live Your Daily Pilgrimage
Weekly Inspiration to Live Your Daily Pilgrimage
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The Eucharist: What is Your Way to Receive Jesus?
/0 Comments/in Blog /by Nan BalfourFr. Daniel Villarreal distributing Communion at the September 2019 Catholic Women’s Conference.
In the video series, The Mandalorian, we learn early on that the title character lives by a strict rule. He believes that to be Mandalorian means you never remove your helmet. It is the way.
In one episode, the Mandalorian seems unsure of how to answer a question asked, “What’s the rule? Is it you can’t take off your Mando helmet, or you can’t show your face? There is a difference.”
In the last 20 years, I have journeyed from lapsed to devout Catholic. As my desire to draw closer to Jesus and to worship Him reverently grew, my way of participating at Mass did as well.
I had learned through the teaching of the Catechism:
The Impact of the Pandemic
My rule of worship is to celebrate Holy Mass daily, veil, and up until the restrictions, receive the Eucharist on my tongue.
The pandemic and subsequent church restrictions threw me into turmoil. To suddenly be stripped of how I worship affronted my Catholic identity. I questioned the authority that closed the churches, moved the Holy Mass to virtual and granted dispensation from receiving the Eucharist.
If the Church proclaims the Eucharist is Jesus Christ, I anguished, how can we be denied Him?
A Challenge at Confession
During Confession, I spoke my anger and the priest asked me a question, which like the Mandalorian, I was not sure how to answer. He asked, “Is the Eucharist a gift or a right?” He could have added, “There is a difference.”
Father challenged me to see that though the way the Mass and the other Sacraments are being offered has changed, they are still being offered. He reminded me that the Church permits receiving the Eucharist in the hand and Spiritual Communion for people unable to attend Mass in-person. He asked me, “Don’t you think God knew this pandemic was coming and made the necessary provisions for us?”
The Mandalorian chooses to suspend his rule to achieve a greater good: to receive ‘the child’ back into his possession and care. My rule of worship, that centers on receiving the Eucharist on the tongue, has greatly served in helping me grow in reverence to God. If I suspend my rule, I feel I will offend God, but if I stick by this rule, I will not be able to receive Jesus in the Eucharist. Which is the greater good?
Pondering Father’s question, I have discovered that though they are different, the Eucharist is both gift and right.
Gift and Right
Eucharist, which comes from the Greek word, eucharistia, means thankfulness; gratitude. Jesus comes to us as Gift through the Eucharist. In a devotional reflection this is clearly and beautifully stated, God dwells among His people in the flesh of Jesus Christ, born in Bethlehem of old, present in the Eucharist of our day. My focus should not be on if I am worthy, but in believing that He is. I could fast forty days, pray all night and still not be worthy to receive Him. And in reflecting on my rule, I have to admit my tongue is a greater cause of offense than my hands.
The Eucharist is also a right; just not ours. Jesus has a right through His Life given, Passion offered, and Promise kept to claim our unwavering faithfulness in being in Communion with Him. Because of His great respect for our free will, He will never demand His right nor force His claim. He waits for us. What He desires is not my worthiness as much as my free will choice to receive Him into my life.
My Lord and My God
For the greater good, temporarily I hope, I have chosen to suspend my rule of worship and receive the Eucharist in the hand. I have added a quick kneel while the person in front of me receives. On my knees I quietly address Him, “My Lord and God,” and then rise to receive our King in the ‘throne’ of my hand and into where He desires to dwell . . . in me.
Whatever rule of worship we adopt, our Catholic identity is to be a Eucharistic people. In his encyclical, Ecclesia de Eucharistia, Saint Pope John Paul II writes:
It is the way.
Answering Christ’s call, Pilgrim Center of Hope guides people to encounter Him so as to live in hope, as pilgrims in daily life. See what’s happening & let us journey with you! Visit PilgrimCenterOfHope.org.
Lonely? Upset? I’m Making A New Start… Here’s How You Can, Too
/0 Comments/in Blog /by Angela SealanaI’m writing this as we start a new year; a year when many of us want a new start.
Personally, I really needed a new start. As last year came to an end, I had fallen into a serious funk. At times, I honestly thought I was losing grip on myself. I was suffering from a pile of wounds, frustration, and angst.
My birthday falls at the end of the year. Growing up, that usually meant that my friends were too busy with their families to attend my birthday parties. This past birthday, I wondered if I would even attempt to celebrate at all.
Snapped Out of It
A few days before my birthday came around, I received an unexpected text message. It was a friend, simply asking, “Any birthday plans?”
That simple act of care & thoughtfulness did something powerful. I realized that I didn’t want to start my new year of life feeling the way that I had been for weeks. I wanted to be a different person. I wanted to be happy.
We made plans to talk on the phone. When we spoke, I told my friend about how they had helped me, and I thanked them.
You Never Walk Alone
Last year felt very lonely for me for a multitude of reasons. However, I found comfort in knowing that I am never alone in the communion of saints.
Jesus gave us this amazing gift when he gave us the Eucharist: a celebration that mystically unites us with him and with all who have faith in him—unhindered by the limits of space and time! So, when you are feeling lonely, remember that each time you participate spiritually and physically in the Eucharistic celebration, Holy Mass; you are united to a tremendous family!
Jesus also gives us the gift of friendship; with himself and with all in his community of friendship.
Begin Again, with A Friend
Two years ago here at Pilgrim Center of Hope, we as a staff began each choosing a friend among the communion of saints with whom we felt called to walk throughout the year. Each month, we get together to share something we’ve learned from our saint-friend. Through this journey, we’ve found great encouragement and personal growth through our relationships with these friends.
You can do this, too. It’s an awesome “new start” you can take-on in your personal or family life!
Each year, my journey-friend from the communion of saints has been…
How do I ‘choose’ a friend each year? Perhaps this will give you ideas for your personal journey…
Are you convinced yet? Now is a great time to “begin again” …and you can! Jesus offers you himself and all of his friends, to help you. Have hope!
Answering Christ’s call, Pilgrim Center of Hope guides people to encounter Him so as to live in hope, as pilgrims in daily life.
Angela Sealana is Media Coordinator for Pilgrim Center of Hope, having served at the apostolate since 2010. She also serves on the PCH Speaker Team.
Make Time for God and Save Time
/0 Comments/in Blog /by Mary Jane FoxReading the Word of God.
Happy New Year! I have heard many people say I am so glad we are starting a new year, let’s hope for the best! It’s right on, we all are looking for a fresh start. Let 2020 be gone, it gave us too many unexpected trials. A priest was sharing with a group during an online meeting recently and at the end of our meeting, he concluded by asking everyone a question:
His question was certainly startling, it took a few seconds before someone broke the silence and began to express what they were thankful for. As I listened, it seemed that many had something in common, they were thankful for the time they had during this pandemic. Many were forced to stay home, work from home, limit their activities and so they expressed how thankful they were in seeing the value of the time they had with their spouse, time to read, or to catch-up on many things. Time frames our daily routines; we measure our time by clocks and calendars. We plan so many details with time, from our work, sleep, recreation, and planning. What would we do if we had the extra time?
Perhaps we would fill it with additional activities, would we think of using this time with God?
God is the source of our gifts, our energy, our talents, our time, and the more connected we are to the source of everything that is necessary to accomplish the project, the greater the possibilities of that project to be brought to completion. We need to be connected to the Source, God.
The Lord does not delay his promise
In the 2nd Letter of Peter, Chapter 3, verses 8-9; we read:
One day is like a thousand years! God patiently waits for us to come to him. When we enter into a relationship with God and ask Him to be our partner in the things we do, we are less likely to spend time in distraction and frustration.
As we begin this new year, mark your calendar, set your watch to spend time with the Triune God. We make appointments for so many important things, the most important engagement is time with our Creator, our Heavenly Father, our Savior. Speak to him and then be quiet so He can speak to your soul. The Lord wants to be a part of your life to prepare you for what is on the road ahead. The busier we become, the more we need this time with Him. So many people think that time spent with God is a waste. As a result, they live and work in their own strength, until they become worn-out, run-down. Then they either cry out to God and expect immediate results or turn away in bitterness, in sadness.
How much better to choose time with God and allow Him to guide you, to bless your endeavors. If you live in this way, you will be less distracted and accomplish more. Some people may not understand you for doing this, but many more will be blessed by your peacefulness which is a fruit of your time with God.
Answering Christ’s call, Pilgrim Center of Hope guides people to encounter Him so as to live in hope, as pilgrims in daily life. See what’s happening & let us journey with you! Visit PilgrimCenterOfHope.org.