Prepare the Tabernacle of Your Soul for the Lord in Holy Communion

When we say at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof.  But, only say the word, and my soul shall be healed,” we are expressing our faith in the Lord’s power and authority over us, even from afar.  

But in the Eucharist, He is really going to come to our dwelling if we invite Him.  Know that when you approach the altar for Holy Communion, you should be prepared to open the doors to your person, the tabernacle of your heart and soul, in order to invite Jesus Christ into your dwelling.  

How will you prepare for His reception?  Will you be able to see yourself inside your own dwelling where you can make preparations?  Will the light be on at the door?  Will you have repaired what has been broken?  Will you have cleaned your dwelling, put out the good dishes and crystal goblets, and have lighted a fire and have prepared a warm greeting?  Will you have water there to wash His feet upon entry and expensive ointment to apply, perhaps even to His Wounds should you find them?  

He will be there at the Eucharist.  How will you receive the Lord?  Will the light at your door be on?  Will you be present to greet him there in the tabernacle of your soul?  Will you be happy to greet Him?  Will you be scrambling to clean and prepare, like St. Martha, distracted with preparations upon His knocking on the door, or will you be ready like St. Mary, calm and attentive to His Presence and His Words and His needs?  Will you have faith that He already knows your needs?  

Think about these things when preparing for the Eucharist, to receive your special Guest.

Seeing Christ the King: The Holy Mass in my Mind

  It is a beautiful sight to see, in my mind, The Lord, Jesus Christ walking in parallel with His priest toward the Ambo during the singing of the Alleluia, but being much larger in stature than the priest and adorned in white cloth instead of green, with golden filigree and embroidery, with a crown, walking confidently, and with a slight smile as He contemplates the love He will serve in His Word.  

Likewise, it is beautiful to see the Lord, Jesus Christ coming forward in the clouds when the Sanctus is sung.  At the Epiclesis, He breathes, “Receive My Spirit – receive Me.”  In Holy Communion, there He Is to give Himself for you – smiling affectionately, “I AM truly happy that you are here.”
These images have come to me over the last several weeks during several Sunday Masses.  I am happy now to share them.  

Let us actively  engage our  hearts, minds, souls and strength at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.  

Christ the King, (Russian Orthodox icon)

How Mary Appeared to Me

The night I was received into the Catholic Church, Easter Vigil, I was given a vision of a beautiful lady standing close, in front of me.  I just saw this attached image this morning, and I can say that her facial features, which I have tried to draw and replicate ( but my scanner will not reproduce the image) is very close to this image.  In my vision, she had a long, pink veil from her head draping down, and a simple crown with a single stone in the center of it which rested on her forehead like a golden band.