BECOMING THE BODY OF CHRIST
“Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again; but whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst; the water I shall give will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” - John 4:13
Around the world today, a strange phenomenon is occurring: devout Catholics are not attending Mass. Many of us desperately crave the Eucharist, thirsting for God in real tangible ways in times of fear and uncertainty. Depending on our local dioceses, some of us may still be able to physically attend Masses, albeit Masses that are smaller and with a visible absence of key wisdom figures (the elderly and those with potential underlying health conditions). Many of us will be home with only our own nuclear families or roommates or close friends we have chosen to “hunker down” alongside. For me at least, this is my first real experience of being “denied” Eucharist. I have missed mass for my own personal or health reasons but in my lifetime and in the places I have lived, there have never been the types of restrictions on movement or worship. These changes are likely temporary, and ultimately my life will likely return to some semblance of normal in the coming months.
My prayer turns to those who are denied access to the Eucharist due to political systems, religious persecution, or because of situations that place them in refugee camps or immigration detentions. The end is not in site for them; their lack of access is prolonged. In ways that are totally new and unexpected, I find myself accompanied by Jesus on the Way of the Cross. In our individual sense of loneliness, we are still united with one another, the Saints, and the universal Church as one Body in Christ. Although today we will not consume that Body of Christ, I feel called to meditate on how I might BE that Body of Christ for whomever I am in contact or communication with in the coming days.
Jen Coito
O Mary, Health of the Sick,
you always shine on our path
as a sign of salvation and of hope.
We entrust ourselves to you.
You know what we need,
and we are sure you will provide,
so that, as in Cana of Galilee,
we may return to joy and to feasting
after this time of trial.
Help us, Mother of Divine Love,
to do as we are told by Jesus,
who has taken upon himself our sufferings
and carried our sorrows,
leading us through the cross
to the joy of the resurrection. Amen.
-Pope Francis, March 2020 (adapted)
Give Us This Day has made available at no charge a digital file which includes daily Mass texts. Visit GUTD.net and select "Digital" in the upper right of the screen. While it is not a replacement for community worship, they hope this resource will support you during this challenging time. Please share this resource with friends and family.