December 8, 2023
We began with ten Hail Marys, calling upon the saints, singing the Litany by Matt Mahr, and Holy Spirit by Francesca Battestelli just as we do every week. As we sat in a circle at Stefanie’s house, an incredible community of peace washed over the room. I could feel the Holy Spirit following, not only around us as one family, but through us ; heart to heart. There are new and familiar faces in the circle; all are welcome.
Look how far you’ve come Jesus said. We are now in Advent and not too long ago we were sitting around a table in a conference room during Lent. The light has changed. We have changed. We have grown and transformed into true disciples of Jesus. We continue to say “yes” to our calling and we have really begun our mission to bring people closer to the Eucharist. Jesus wants everyone to know how proud he is of you.
In a continuation (for some of us) from adoration on Wednesday night at Good Shepard with Bishop Andrezj, We can do nothing without the Eucharist. We can do nothing without Jesus. We aren’t anything without the Eucharist. We are meant to live in the way God has planned for us. Live in the way that He sees us and the way that he created us. We have the opportunity to see that way for ourselves when we receive and welcome Jesus into our hearts. As Father Mike Schmitz stated in the Catechism in a Year this week, at some point, we must “look up from the book,” and truly into the eyes of our Lord Jesus Christ.
What makes us truly different here tonight is that it is a Friday night. We range in age from 14 to 60. So many of us, I imagine, would love to just be hanging out, drinking wine, or cozy on the couch watching mindless TV, but we are here. We are here together sitting as a group praising and worshiping Jesus. That’s the choice you have all made that has changed your life. You will never be the same after tonight. That’s the fruit from the obedience of the “yes” that you have given to God. I thought of Bishop Andrezj again saying, enter this moment, enter this prayer, enter praise, enter my brothers and sisters. In that moment, Stefanie confirmed the word God had given me. “Lift up your heads,” she said, “Let the King of Glory come in.” Truly enter in at your own risk because the truth is, you will never be the same. Every moment you spend with Jesus, receiving the Eucharist, your life will be different.
I had been praying about sharing my testimony of knowing when Jesus was truly present in the Eucharist. Through my prayer Jesus confirmed that it was time. Copies of Beautiful Eucharist came in the mail for the week of the prayer meeting. Mike confirmed with his gift of prophecy saying “all I keep hearing is the word ‘Bread.’ And there it was…
About seven years ago, my husband and I traveled to Ireland. I was new to my faith and very much looking forward to visiting the churches over there. We walked into many churches and I kept thinking to myself, I don’t feel anything. This feels like a museum, not a church. My husband said to me as we walked through one, “Where is the box?” I replied that I didn’t know; I couldn’t find a tabernacle. I couldn’t find Jesus. When we got home from our trip, Janine explained to me that I was not in a Catholic church; that many of the churches in Ireland were Protestant; I just did not know, but what I did know, was that Jesus was not there.
A few months later, I stopped to pray in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel at Good Shepard. I remember sitting down in the back room. I felt nothing. Not a nothing as in I couldn’t hear Jesus or He felt distant, I really felt nothing like I had never had before. I didn’t understand it. After sharing with Janine my experience and confusion, she told me that it was Good Friday and the Eucharist had been removed from the church. Jesus was no longer present. I had no idea, but I know what I felt. At that point I was convinced, that Eucharist is the Body of Jesus Christ. He is present. He is the Bread of Life. I was never going to be the same again.
When did you know Jesus was truly present in the Eucharist? How did that change your life?
If you do know, go. Be fishers of me. Jesus has chosen you. He has called you. Tell everyone about your Jesus. Let Jesus change their lives too. Don’t live to be a legacy. Lead quietly. Lead with intention. Speak when you’re asked to speak. Listen when you’re asked to listen. But most of all, love. Love one another as Jesus has shown you he loves you. Be patient with those that do not know Him yet. Give them time; we all needed it at some point and look we were are now. See Jesus where He is. Everywhere. He wants every piece of you in every moment.
