USCCB Document on the Eucharist - Part I - Longing for the Eucharist

St. Charles Borromeo, a true shepherd,
 ministers to plague victims in Milan.

I'm reading the USCCB document on the Eucharist approved at their do-nothing November conclave. 

It didn't take me very far into the document before I laughed sardonically and rolled my eyes. In fact it was the third paragraph:

Many of the faithful appear to have had their faith and their desire for the Eucharist strengthened by such a long separation.

Really? 

I don't think so, just judging from the sparser attendance at my local novus ordo parish since Wuhan and the bishops' kowtowing to Caesar. But that's a subjective observation of one small faith community. 

So let's take a look at a recent survey conducted by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) which interviewed several thousand young Catholics between the ages of 18 and 35 from all over the country.

Monday of Holy Week: Cursing of the Fruitless Fig Tree

Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem with the apostles. As they walk along the way, He sees a fig tree in the distance. Being hungry, He approaches it to look for figs, but it's not the time for figs. So why does Jesus curse the fig tree?

Well, Jesus never did anything without a point. So the question is, what was He trying to teach the apostles then and us now?

The fig tree episode appears between Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem where he "went into the temple precincts [and]...inspected everything there" and the cleansing of the temple the next day when he drives out the money lenders and merchants telling them they've made His Father's house a "den of thieves." Note during the cleansing of the temple that Jesus "began to teach them." These two teaching episodes emphasize the kingship and authority of Jesus. He and the Father are one. The temple is His to cleanse and protect.

Between these two scenes we have the fig tree event. It is Monday of Holy Week. Being hungry  gives Jesus a reason to approach the fig tree and, finding no fruit, He curses it. "Never again shall anyone eat of your fruit!" He says. But Christ's purpose is more than about looking for fruit. He is teaching the apostles an important truth which Mark emphasizes by saying, "His disciples heard all this."

So what was He teaching? The fig tree in Hebrew Scriptures represents the nation of Israel. The prophets compare faithful Israel to a fruitful vine or a basket of delicious figs. What Jesus is showing His apostles is that the nation and the temple, instead of being a source of sanctification, have become nothing but empty show where lengthened phylacteries and scrupulous attention to the law represent the showy green leaves on the fruitless fig tree. Actually, finding figs would have prevented His teaching point. And, remember, when they return the next day, they find the tree withered "to its roots." Wow! What a lesson for us. We had better be faithful, fruitful servants! We don't want to hear the Master saying, "Tear down this useless tree. Why should it litter up the garden?" Let us pray for grace to persevere and always conform ourselves to the will of God. May Jesus Christ be prainsed!

Sunday Meditation: Kissed by Christ

It's been a challenging week. Monday morning started with outpatient surgery at UVA to repair a massive rotary cuff tear. The rest of this week has meant dealing with pain and limited mobility. Try tying your predominate arm against your chest and see how easy it is to get dressed, feed yourself, etc. It can be comical to say the least.

But I've never had a second that I wasn't filled with wonder at the Lord's special care for me - most especially through the love and tenderness of my dear husband. Tuesday morning gave me a special surprise. We didn't take down our Christmas tree because the family room recliner is serving as my "hospital bed" and I wanted the cheery lights as I recuperate. But as I looked at the tree in the morning, I noticed that two ornaments lined up to remind me that Jesus was right there with me. A silver snowflake and a white ceramic angel formed a perfect miniature monstrance to remind me of Christ right there in my sick room. From a distance, the circular center looks just like the host. One could say the alignment was just a coincidence, but you won't convince me of it. I know it was a little kiss from the Lamb of God to remind me He's right here with me. Thank You, Jesus.

See if you can see what I saw on Tuesday morning to brighten my day..

The Sound of Children's Voices...

...is the sound of Advent waiting and Christmas joy.

Sing with your children as often as possible. Music speaks to the heart. Teach rounds. Sing in the car. Sing around the Advent wreath. Sing in the summer around a campfire. Sing nursery rhymes and lullabies to the babies. Play them classical music when they go to sleep. Play beautiful music in the background while they do their homework (and I don't mean pop tunes with lyrics, rap, or other brain-numbing musical junk food).

Chesterton once said that "Life exists for the love of music or beautiful things." Increase your joy with good music. And let the songs of Advent prepare you for the joy of Christ coming at Christmas. This song makes me feel the longing desire for the long-awaited Messiah.

Good Advice!

It's easy in our crazy world, especially when the Church is in such disarray to be discouraged. Sometimes I want to crawl under the bed and suck my thumb. St. Ignatius tells us how to discern spirits. When you are in mortal sin, the evil spirit encourages and coddles you saying that all is well. When you are in the state of grace he tempts by urging you to be discouraged and depressed and think that nothing ultimately matters so why bang your head against a wall. Give up.

A priest friend recently sent me the following little message and it's worth sharing.

Remember that discouragement and despondency are "gifts" offered by the Father of Lies. So follow your mothers' warning, "Don't take gifts from strangers" - especially ones with spiked tails and bad breath.

So if you are trying to do God's will and feel discouraged you're holding and looking at the devil's "gift." Throw it away quick!