Beautiful Eucharist: Your Invitation Awaits
If you didn’t receive your free copy of Matthew Kelly’s Beautiful Eucharist book, see Kathy or Judy in the parish office. There may still be a few extra copies.
In the concluding chapter (“Get Close and Stay Close”), Matthew Kelly shares reflections on the precious gift of Jesus’ Real Presence in the Eucharist. Among his thoughts, he says, “Have you ever wondered why we build such beautiful churches? I can tell you this: It’s not about the art or architecture. It’s because we believe that Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist.”
A bit later, he relates, “All the answers are in the tabernacle. Jesus has all the answers and he patiently waits for us in the tabernacle, day and night, to share those answers with us. Next time you are grappling with a decision, stop by your church and ask Jesus for his advice.”
Pointing out that Jesus often left his disciples and the crowds for a quiet place to pray, Kelly asks us, “If Jesus needed this time in silence and solitude, how much more do you think we need it? The world is a busy and noisy place, and all of that tends to distract us from what matters most. It is getting harder and harder to find a quiet place in this world, but one of the great gifts the Catholic Church gives to us all is places that are set apart for quiet reflection.”
Summing up his chapter Kelly says, “Experience has taught me time and time again that all the answers are in that tabernacle…. So here is my invitation to you: Stop by a church ten minutes each day this week and spend time in the quiet. Sit before Jesus in the tabernacle…. You will find that your days are more fruitful and focused, and filled with a passion that is invigorating and a joy that is intoxicating. Jesus awaits you in the Eucharist. Come into the silence and let Him change your life.”
Your invitation to rest in the Real Presence of Jesus in the tabernacle awaits. How will you RSVP?
Share your thoughts and see how others are responding by joining the conversation in the "Comments" section below.
He is risen! May the miracle of Easter bring you peace and joy.
Bob
Comments
BobPosted on 4/23/24
Your insight into worldly "noise", Steve, is spot on for me. Earlier today, I was with a couple older men and we were talking about this same sad situation. We lamented how today's youth is constantly bombarded and consumed by the noise of technology, especially via their phones. We're all experiencing that, of course, but some of us are old enough to remember back in our lives when we were not obsessed with our phones and the resultant information overload. But the younger generations have never been away from such incessant distraction, They've never not known life without information bombarding them 24/7. I think it therefore becomes increasingly incumbent on us all, to be intentional about MAKING the time for silence -- and modeling and teaching that for the younger generations. If they don't learn to make that time, their mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health will all be at risk -- and the devil will be delighted.
steven humbletPosted on 4/22/24
We’ve all seen discussions where one voice raises to make a point, the other voice is raised to make their point. It makes for a lot of noise, little communication. If your view is from outside of that discussion, you can see where all communication ceases. I read once, likely in a C.S. Lewis book where the devils only job description was to simply make noise. And wow what a job he has accomplished. We are now so bombarded with “noise” communication has dwindled to a trickle. Phones, smart phones, media of all kinds making noise. No communication. Just noise. One voice trying to outdo the other.
As I age, I’ve found increasing comfort in the quiet, perhaps it’s why as we age our hearing diminishes? Jesus won’t be attempting to shout above that noise, there would be no communication. However, you will find him in the quiet times and no better place than the quiet of an Adoration service. As in Mathew Kelly’s invitation to sit in the tabernacle in the quiet and let Jesus communicate.
As a younger man struggling with a challenge, I would often just sit in the church parking lot say a prayer and listen. Clarity of a decision would eventually follow. Always, but in his time not mine. I wonder now how much clearly it would have been had I went inside.
“Peace be with you”. After all, it’s all we need. That and listen.