I pray that you are enjoying these beautiful days! This is my favorite time of year. Fall speaks of change, letting go, and dying (especially to self). I want to share with you something I heard this weekend that speaks to these realities.
As we continue in this year of Eucharistic Revival, a guest speaker at Saints Philip and James Catholic Church in New York shared something that has changed how I receive the Eucharist at Mass each day. Diane Vella enlightened us to the thought that when we say AMEN after receiving the host, we are saying AMEN to two facts.
AMEN, I believe this is the real presence of Christ, and,
AMEN, I am an ‘other’ Christ.
Wow! What a powerful addition to my saying AMEN!
So, if I say AMEN, I believe… but also believe that I am an ‘other’ Christ? Do my actions speak louder than words?
What is my behavior or attitude like when I walk out of the doors of the church? Am I smiling and greeting the day and those around me with gratitude and joy? Or is it as the old saying goes, “if you are happy, please notify your face”?
When people have different opinions than me, am I gracious? Do I go out of my way to help someone even though I am short of time? Do I give of my time and resources graciously? Am I a person of prayer?
All of these gracious, kind, compassionate actions and attitudes speak of the way Jesus lived His life. Am I truly an ‘other’ Christ? We sing ‘Christ has no body now but ours…’ We sing it, yes, but do we live it?
So many important questions that came from the simple thought of AMEN speaking of two I beliefs; I believe in the real presence of Christ, and I am an ‘other’ Christ!
Spend your week being other Christs and go about joyfully and in peace, making God look Good!
Till next week,
Sister Theresita
