Consecrated Hotpocket

I once knew a guy who had left the Church to become an Episcopalian (Anglican-Americanized) because he felt that he was called to be a priest, but also called to be married. This wasn't the only thing he was desperately confused about. One day he said he wanted to consecrate a Twinkie and Dr. Pepper once he became a priest. He was joking, yes, but I wonder if he really would. Knowing him, I can honestly say that I'm not so sure he wouldn't. Regardless, I hope he's following God's plan for him and carefully discerning his true vocation (whether it's marriage or priesthood).

Anyway, I didn't just lead in with that for no reason. As I sit here and eat a hotpocket, I thought of that person and how utterly lost they must be in their understanding of the Holy Eucharist. It made me contimplate for a little while what it's like to be without this precious miracle and most holy sacrament. And I realized, if you truly have faith in the Eucharist...if you try to love the presence of our Lord in this most holy and perfect sacrifice, then you can't live without it. And if you think you can, you don't have the faith or love for Christ that you thought you did.

The Deacon at our parish told us a story not too long ago about when he was in seminary as a young man. A friend of his, Baptist, asked if he could come to the local Catholic church with Deacon that day out of curiosity. See, Deacon was going to this church daily for prayer and reflection and his friend had always wondered what was so special about the space. Anyway, Deacon and the man walked into the church and up to the area in front of the altar. Deacon was explaining some of the religious art to his friend and genuflected before the tabernacle. Then he turned around to continue explaining things to his friend only to find him laying prostrate on the floor! He got up a few minutes later and asked Deacon what was in that box behind the altar, that he had never felt the presence of God like that before.

Amazing story, right? It's true. And it tells of a reality that a lot of people only see as some sort of weird religious experience type ordeal, or denounce it as fake or false. Or even pull out the relative card and try to say that all churches are the same, etc. The truth is in the presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. And that truth exists in the Holy Catholic Church. I pray for all to find it where it's guarded from evil and loved intensley. Your home is in the Catholic Church because that's where Christ is, that's where He's prepared his table. Amen.