The Joys of the Eucharist

How many times do we walk into Mass and not think a thing of it? We walk in, we kneel, sing the songs, listen, stand and kneel some more, receive the Eucharist and then just wait for the priest to give the final blessing so we can get out before the traffic rush. It’s just one hour of our week, and so often we do not stop and really think about what we are doing, but instead get caught up in other things. This past week I attended my first Extraordinary Minister Training class! I’m so excited to soon be able to serve others by presenting the Catholic congregation with true spiritual food. With our training class, we also have to read a book about the duties of an Extraordinary Minister and the Eucharist itself. I loved reading this book because it brought a good renewal and realization to me.

When we attend Mass, we are brought into the throne room of heaven with God. It is a celebration with all of the angels and saints in heaven and with the congregation on earth. It is the time when heaven and earth meet all at the same time gathered to worship one God! It’s an amazing opportunity that we should not take for granted. It is even more amazing that Jesus gives himself as true food for our souls! Jesus laid his life down for each and every one of us so that we could receive Him body and blood soul and divinity at the Mass.

So many times we forget what we are actually entering into. We forget how much Jesus loves us and thirsts for a relationship with us, and we forget that when we are in Mass, we are receiving the true body and blood of Jesus Christ on the altar. How indescribable and wonderful an opportunity it is! We are so unworthy to even be in the same place as He is, yet He begs us to come and take Himself as food for our journey. Take some time to ponder how amazing and wonderful the Mass and the Eucharist are. This Sunday, when you’re tempted to just go through the motions, be on fire, be joyful, and shine Christ’s light.

The Yoke and The Burden

Looking for something to do with all your extra summer time? Something exciting with lots of adventure, something that is fulfilling and will leave you wanting more? Something that help you to experience life with a deeper new meaning? Then try going to daily Mass! I know that my parish offers an 8:30 Mass (which I personally prefer because it’s a great start to the day), or a 12:00 mass, if you feel like sleeping in.  Some parishes even offer daily masses at night. But seriously, if you don’t do it already, try to make it a habit to go spend a little extra time during the week to grow your faith life by going to mass if you can. Even if that means you have to sacrifice sleep, or you’re the youngest person there:) Or,   read the daily readings to help yourself on your journey of faith with God (which there are also convenient apps for!)

The Gospel reading for Thursday was one of my new favorites Mt 11:28-30, which says “Jesus said: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.””

I love that saying, “My yoke is easy, and my burden is light. ” But I never fully understood it until it was explained to me last week. A yoke is a big wooden cross that harnesses two animals together which allows them to plow fields and work together. Yokes have to be created specifically for every individual animal because each animals statue varies a little bit. If an animal is too big or too small for the yoke it will be harnessed into, it could seriously injure the animal.

After knowing that and really being able to unwrap the whole meaning of the scripture verse, I find it very comforting. When I read the verse I in vision Christ who has created a yoke specifically fit for me  on one side, and for Him on the other. Christ created a yoke that is perfectly shaped to fit myself comfortably, but also to fit Christ with me. An animal cannot plow a field by himself in a yoke designed for 2 animals. Neither can we pull our crosses and our burdens by ourselves. If we accept Christ into our lives fully and trust Him and allow Him to help us with our burdens and our struggles, then we can see that He will protect us and help carry us when we can no longer stand. He will be by our side showing us that the Yoke, or the life and the plan He created for us is perfect if we follow His will. But, our life can be  best lived when we allow Christ to work within it. Then He can carry our burden, wipe our tears, help us to balance and stand and keep going with a strong trust and faith in Him.