As a Catholic, I am very grateful for the wonderful expression of the Mass. When united in this liturgical experience, we are not only present to the reality of the bread and wine becoming the real presence of Jesus, but are also connected spiritually to the institution of the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper and to the future heavenly banquet at the end of time. During the Eucharistic Prayer, this is a time to be truly as mindful as we can to what is happening in our midst. Our effort to completely surrender ourselves to the moment is a true act of stewardship.
When we hear the Gospel reading of the passion and death of Jesus at Mass, we are also being called to give of ourselves completely to the moment and to be truly caught up in the story. We should strive to be there at the events of over two thousand years ago, but also to what the reality of those events mean for us today. To do this effectively, we need to spend more time reflecting on the dynamics of the events of Jesus’ passion. Hopefully, our Lent has been fruitful and we have spent time with devotions like the Stations of the Cross. Maybe we have taken time to read Scripture slowly and deliberately, taking time to let each aspect sink into our mind and spirit. If Lent has been instead a time of too much business and not much prayer and reflection, the good news is that it is never too late.
During this Holy Week, take some time to enter into the story of the Passion. Good stewardship calls us to not only give of that which can be seen, but also that which cannot be seen. Surrender your mind, body, and spirit to Jesus. He carries his cross before you and beckons you to follow him.
Tracy Earl Welliver, MTS
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