Last week we celebrated Thanksgiving, a time when many of us gathered with family and friends around a bountiful table and recalled the many things for which we are grateful. The word “Eucharist” comes from the Greek word for thanksgiving!
I have fond memories of annually attending Thanksgiving morning liturgy at a Northeast Philadelphia parish and of the many faith-filled families present at Mass. Often the homily drew parallels between gathering around the family dinner table and the Eucharistic table where we are invited to personally encounter Jesus. A meaningful custom was for the priests and deacons to distribute to each family after Mass a plastic bag containing a roll and a Thanksgiving prayer to share with those around the dinner table. It was a wonderful reminder that Jesus is part of our Thanksgiving celebration and wants to satisfy the deepest hunger of our heart, not with bread but with the Bread of Life. We are all hungry. Many people hunger for food, but all of us hunger for love. The only person who can truly satiate the restless hunger of the human heart for love is Jesus. He longs to satisfy us with His total gift of Self in the Holy Eucharist.
This Sunday we begin the Season of Advent. Advent is an excellent time to rekindle our relationship with Christ in the Eucharist. One of the best ways is to spend time with Him, either by attending Sunday Mass and in Eucharistic Adoration. In the spirit of the Eucharistic Revival, the Catholic website Aleteia provides some easy ways to rekindle our relationship with Jesus and deepen family bonds during this Advent Season.
Find opportunities to pray during the day. Make a quick visit to Jesus in the Eucharist during your Christmas shopping trips. On the Eucharistic Revival website prayer resources to support your Advent journey will be posted.
Give to the poor. Find some way as a family to serve the poor, perhaps by donating to an organization that provides direct ministry to the poor. Then make a visit to the Eucharist to pray for those who are struggling with economic difficulties.
Go to confession. Many parishes host an Advent Reconciliation Service. Find one and bring the whole family to prepare to receive Jesus at Christmas.
Do a secret good deed daily. Instead of being a “Secret Santa” be a “Secret Jesus.” Do a secret good deed each day or give an act of service, a small gift, an affirming word, a hug or kiss, or spend quality time with someone seeking companionship such as a shut-in.
Have a family Advent movie night (or propose one in your parish): Find time to get the family together for a Jesus-themed movie. Two personal favorites for younger children include “A Charlie Brown Christmas” (1965) and “The Little Drummer Boy” (1968). For families with older children some movies that highlight the true meaning of the season include “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946), “Miracle on 34th Street” (1947) and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (1966).
If we want Jesus to be at the center of our preparation for Christmas, we need to live Advent with intentionality. The Eucharistic Revival website (https://www.eucharisticrevival.org/revival-resources) and Heart of the Revival Newsletter contain many resources and prayer aids to make this Advent truly Eucharistic.
Have a Blessed Advent!
Sister M. Marcella Louise Wallowicz CSFN
