Sunday, May 18, 2008

The Eucharist: Beyond Us, But In Us

I have often looked at this computer and wondered, "How does this thing work?" I push a button, click on something and voila! words are defined, information provided, games appear, music plays, do-it-yourself advice is given, symptoms are explained, and light is shed for this arty right-brained mom who needs to help her daughter with her 6th grade algebra. This is amazing, there is no smoke, mirrors, gears turning, crank to wind, just a button and this oval thing called a "mouse" attached with a wire. It's beyond me!

Later, I'll gather the kids and drive off to the grocery store in my SUV with leather seats, air conditioning, sunroof, and CD player for our music of choice: Bluegrass mixed with a little Yo Yo Ma and Josh Groban. How does it all work? The grocery store is filled with all the wondrous things to make our existence comfortable, if not plush! We purchase the things on our list (and then some), get back in the SUV, drive home, press a button and the garage door opens without effort. I begin making dinner, all with the press of a few knobs, buttons, a wooden spoon here and a knife there and voila! a meal is prepared and served to my awaiting family. How does this happen? Definitely without much blood, sweat, and toil compared to our pioneer ancestors, that's for sure. It's beyond me.

Modern technology certainly has come along way in making our lives so much easier. For the most part, we modern men and women enjoy the technological breakthroughs on a daily basis with little thought as to how it all came to be concerning the struggles, mistakes, malfunctions that happened in the process of invention. Long lost and forgotten, are the dark hours of trials and tribulation of the creator of these comforts we take for granted. It's beyond us.

On Sunday mornings Mass is celebrated everywhere in the world. During the Mass we are forgiven of venial sins, taught about the Word of God, and fed. The Eucharist is changed from bread and wine to Christ's own flesh and blood right in front of our eye. If we blink and say "Amen", it has already happened.....we missed it. We know how it happened, God came into this world as a man, taught us, gave us a Church, had an unthinkable thing happen to Him, and He gave it all up to forgive us. It is beyond us, but should it be?

5 comments:

Melissa said...

Great post! Really make me think.

Portrait of Peter said...

I love the way in which you have placed your personal daily life of events into the interpretation of the Eucharist and the importance of Mass.

Blessings

Tom Reagan said...

I really liked this...thanks!

Michele said...

very thought provoking post! thanks!

WhiteStoneNameSeeker said...

On Sunday after receiving Holy Communion I was having a bit of a chat with Himself about my character flaws. I have been reading Adrienne's 12 steps and as my SIL is in AA doing the steps I have been trying to do them too.
Anyway it means facing a few things. So there I was trying to face them-and then I remembered, or was reminded, that in the Eucharist we are forgiven! WOW! I sat there suddenly feeling so clean and fresh-like I had been to Confession. A new start. It's Monday and I have probably blown it already-but it's still such an amazing gift.

I would also add I frequently pray for Mr Hoover and whoever invented the dish washer. I thank God for the washing machine and tumble dryer. One of my friends laughed when I told her - but then agreed we need to be grateful for these things.
God bless