The Ultimate Prize
“It became obvious why Catholics had built such beautiful cathedrals and churches throughout the world. Not as gathering or meeting places for Christians. But as a home for Jesus Himself in the Blessed Sacrament. Cathedrals house Jesus. Christians merely come and visit Him. The cathedrals and churches architecturally prepare our souls for the beauty of the Eucharist.” ~ Allen R. Hunt
Our parish began its annual Forty Hours celebration yesterday after the 12:00 Noon Mass. At that time, the Eucharist was exposed on the Altar of Sacrifice and left throughout the day so that the faithful could come and spend some time before the Real Presence. Allen Hunt, in his journey to the Catholic Church, was inspired to see why we build the churches that we do. He was impressed that the churches were something that would lead people to greater reflection of God through the use of architecture and liturgical art.
And yet, as impressive as any church building can be, that is not the true temple of Jesus. The true temple of Jesus is our body. Each of us carry the living Lord into our world which is why we come to the altar to eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood. Without that nourishment, our souls would wither and die. Without that nourishment, we would not be able to be adequate witnesses of the Risen Lord in our world.
However, with that nourishment, nothing can stop us!
Jesus Christ is the ultimate prize, the ultimate gift, and the ultimate joy. Let that knowledge fuel your desire to want Him more and more each day, to want to draw closer to Him more and more each day, to want to become more like him each day.
When you visit the Lord at any church, do not forget to take Him out with you so that others may encounter Him by your words and your deeds.
FAITH ACTION: Spend a good amount of time in silent prayer today — preferably in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament — so that you may prepare yourself to be a worthy temple of Jesus Christ.