I need to take a brief moment to describe my faith journey today. Today is the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul. In the first reading this morning at Mass (Acts 22:3-16), the words of Ananias struck me:
"The God of our ancestors designated you to know his will,
to see the Righteous One, and to hear the sound of his voice;
for you will be his witness before all
to what you have seen and heard.
Now, why delay?"
These words this morning were spoken to me. I pray that God readies me for His will, at the time of His choosing.
Your will be done.
Also, during communion, I was overwhelmed with the knowledge of what communion really is, or at least some small share of its full meaning. After receiving the body, blood, soul and divinity of Christ, I returned to my place and watched as the rest of the faithful received the Holy Eucharist. I understand the teaching of the meaning of communion, but today I know it more fully. As I stood there, I realized through the grace of God that I am truly one with these others who are also receiving the Holy Eucharist. Men and women of every age along with girls and boys approached and consumed the Bread of Life, and I felt a profound, almost indescribable connection with each of them. We are one in Christ! Then emotion was added as I felt an overwhelming Love flow through me and out to them. I truly love them, each and every one.
On my drive home, listening to Catholic radio, they were talking about what happened over the weekend. Busses returning home after Friday's March for Life in Washington, DC were stuck on the turnpike in Pennsylvania - for nearly 24 hours. Rather than complaining and turning grouchy with one another, as we would all be inclined to do in such a situation, they found two priests, one with a Mass kit, build an altar out of snow, and celebrated Mass in the cold! If God has indeed gifted me with prophecy, I can tell you with absolute certainty God is immensely pleased by this! His pleasure from it overwhelmed me into a few fits of uncontrollable sobbing.
Then, in combination with my lesson from today, it occurs to me that all of us throughout the world who are in communion through the Church and the Holy Eucharist, along with those who are already saints in heaven... we were all there! We were there in the snow and the blizzard with those young people. We were all there giving praise and thanksgiving to our heavenly Father for the sacrifice of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ on an altar of snow! And, God is very pleased indeed.
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