We are so blessed to be able to receive Christ in Body and Blood every time we attend Mass! And, yet, how often do we take it for granted. I don't mean to and I'm certain you don't either. We just do. My friend's mother followed him in converting to the Catholic faith. It was the Eucharist that drew her to Catholicism. Chalice (yes, that's her real name!!) was a communion minister in the Methodist Church for years. One day while cleaning up in the sacristy, she dropped a blessed host. She was advised to throw it away. Chalice ended up consuming it. She realized in that moment that she had never viewed Communion as "just a symbol" and felt it was Christ's Real Presence...but her denomination didn't teach/believe that.
Real Presence can be one of the most difficult aspects of our faith to explain to our children and, yet, it is the most important. Take some time to read, ponder, and pray the Bread of Life (John 6:22-59) discourse, just as Sr. Rose did with the author. Reading it and letting the words wash over you, how can you believe anything else? I think one of the saddest things about other Christian denominations (many, not all!!) is that they don't believe in transubstantiation. Most everything about their denominations is terrific. Me? I can't live without the Eucharist and the way Roman and Orthodox Catholics teach this doctrine. Transubstantiation is the word used to explain the miracle the occurs during the Eucharistic prayer. It explains that though physically (biologically, chemically, etc.) the same, the bread and wine are spiritually transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit into Christ's Body and Blood.
While I don't usually recommend wikipedia for research purposes, this article does a good job of explaining what the different Christian denominations believe and teach about the Eucharist.
Last Lent, I took up veiling, the process of wearing a chapel veil anytime I was in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. Truth be told, I really liked it. It just became an inconvenience, so I stopped. Several of my friends throughout the country had been doing it and I felt inspired to try it so for 40 days, I did. No, it wasn't because my hair is my crowning glory and distracts men during worship or I feared a nun smacking me. I did a lot of reading about veiling before trying it and it described the spiritual act of taking an extra step before being in our Lord's presence. WOW! Now that I could get behind!! When veiling, I felt more focused and more reverent. It was beneficial to my prayer life.
I share that story, only to ask, what are some other ways we can be more reverent towards the Eucharist and/or help our students become more reverent. Even if it's just between Masses for 10 minutes on Sunday, there is always time to take the children up around the altar and show them the tabernacle. When I teach PK3 & PK4 students in the school, we visit the church. I encourage friendly waving "hello" and "goodbye" to Jesus. At Christmas, we'll kneel around the tabernacle and sing "Happy Birthday". This might seem too casual or irreverent, but it isn't. We perform these acts with love for Christ and joy in our hearts. The students stare in awe at that beautiful, gold box and glimmering sanctuary lamp. I tell them that Jesus is everywhere, but he exists in a very special way inside the tabernacle.
I'm working to incorporate (short, age-appropriate) periods of Eucharistic Adoration into our sacramental prep. It's the only time in prayer where we can look at Jesus, face-to-face, in the same way we would a dear friend. I want our students to feel as comfortable with Jesus as they do around their friends and family. You might argue that the chapel veil created a distance, but for me, it didn't. I was putting on my best to see the most special person in my life. Wow!
- Do you teach Real Presence with your students? Has that been easy/difficult? (We're going to stay on this topic for 2 or 3 posts. I'm working on another post full of resources, crafts, and teaching idea on the Eucharist.)
- What role does the Eucharist play in your life (personal and/or as a catechist)?
- What steps can you take to give the Eucharist the reverence it deserves?
One of the Eucharistic reverence steps I was taught as a child was that you were not supposed to eat or drink anything except for water prior to receiving Eucharist on Sunday mornings. Christ was there to break your fast. That micro fast every week brought the Eucharist home when you really want the cup of coffee or great scone your non-Catholic step mom would make. One little sacrifice reminds you of the even bigger sacrifice of Christ on a weekly basis.
ReplyDeleteThis used to be the case. Then, it was changed to one hour prior to Mass starting. Now, it's one hour before receiving the Eucharist so you can eat a doughnut on your way out the door as long as you're done eating by about 15 minutes prior to the start of Mass. Rather sad, in my opinion. I think a bit of a fast is a good thing, if possible.
ReplyDeleteA dear friend of mine called and offered to take my son to Adoration. He was going, along with his daughter who was in the same class as my son. My son, was in third grade, and really didn't know what to expect. When he came home, he shared that he really liked sitting with Jesus. It was quiet and gave him time to think and be with God. It was a "wow" moment for me and for him.
ReplyDeleteLater, I learned that children with a lot of energy, or have been diagnosed with attention disorders, have really benefited from Adoration. That there is a calming effect for them. I have to say, I have seen my own children transform from chatty, excited kids, to reverent, prayerful, and content people in the presence of Christ. Truly remarkable if you give yourself and your children the opportunity to spend time with him.
It's amazing the deep, solemn reverence our children are capable of when given the proper environment. Your sentiments on children with attention disorders are spot on and I have witnessed the same over the years.
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