The Portal of the True Presence

The Eucharist can be called "The Portal of the True Presence" because it is a real portal to heaven.  Receiving the Eucharist is a way we can somewhat understand the "Hypostatic Union" ie. the mystery of Jesus being God and man simultaneously.  That is to say, after receiving we have one foot in heaven and the other on the earth or to say the heavenly (Jesus' body and blood, His Spirit abiding in us) versus the earthly (bread and wine that we see).  This is why many of "the faithful" experience miracles or mystical events for several minutes after receiving Communion, like what I'm experiencing as I write this.  It's the divine side of Jesus inside of me that enables me to see this.  Also, it's the cell phone that I am writing this on, while still sitting on earth, in a pew in the church, that enables me to record this before I forget it.  I believe anyone can have similar experiences if they discover the importance of loving God and His church.  I've witnessed many people in His church who experience these things.  Beyond these simple "faith enhancers", we have the Eucharistic miracles that have occurred throughout history.  See Eucharistic Miracles of the World - International Vatican Exhibition

Ohhhh! the love of God!

†Dominic of Chandler       www.allcath.com

A Holy Aha Moment

The other day  while I was listening to Immaculate Heart Radio I received one of those wonderful aha moments, compliments of the Holy Spirit.  He spoke through Sister Moss (now Mother Miriam of the Lamb of God) and Patrick Coffin.  It was a profound gift of grace that took me to a higher level of faith.  But, just using words, how do I relay it to you?  Unfortunately, we can't always give away gifts of grace at will.  But I'm going to try.  I really want you to get this just like I did that day.  You may want to pray  a short prayer to the Holy Spirit here.

A caller to Catholic Answers was upset and lamenting about her homilist at her church Sunday talking about Jesus as if he switched back and forth between His human and divine side.  She was referring to Mt 15:21-28.  In this gospel Jesus could seem to talk to this Canaanite woman harshly,  in a way that  a mere human would.   Patrick Coffin said that the temptation is to want to domesticate  Jesus and explain away His divinity when he sounds less Christian.  But, Mother Miriam reminded the caller that He never ceased being God and that He can not make a mistake.  He could not lie. He could not sin. Now here is the grabber (Come Holy Spirit, help!) Are you ready?  Sister Moss said "In His mommy's arms He held the universe together."  Did anything just happen to you?

Here's what happened to me.  My thoughts flashed to the altar and God being present as a baby and in the appearances of bread and wine.  He's there on the altar as the zygote in Mary's womb, the baby, the teacher and on the cross, simultaneously, for he transcends time,  while holding the universe together. 

This morning before mass I looked around the church and thought of His presence in the tabernacle and in the monstrance in the chapel and in hundreds of thousands of churches and tabernacles around the world.   Then the greatest thought of all occurred.  In a few minutes He will be in my body, running through my veins and all the while holding the universe together.  With this understanding why would anyone reduce Him to just a symbol?  How could anyone leave His church? Where else could we go?  The Master has the words of eternal life and He holds the universe together.

† Dominic of Chandler                   www.allcath.com