This past weekend, our parishioner, Louis Santiago, was ordained a permanent deacon for the Archdiocese of Hartford. We congratulate him and offer our continued prayers for him, his family, and the success of his ministry. Louis is assigned to Holy Infant parish in Orange and we wish him well in this assignment.
We find ourselves today in the feast of Corpus Christi, the body and blood of Christ. Eucharist is a meal that nourishes us so that we can be poured out for others. It is God’s invitation, it is our challenge. Welcome the nourishment and strength of Eucharist into your life; accept the invitation to be poured out for others. It need not be grandiose or world changing, look for the simple, everyday opportunities to be the heart and hands of Christ for all those you meet.
If you think none of this is about you, I would like to leave you with this story: A great sailing ship was tossed about in a violent storm. The crew had to abandon the ship as it was breaking up. Retreating to a life boat, they survived, and drifted for days. Consumed by thirst for lack of fresh water, they were near despair. They awakened one day, in sight of land, and could call to those on the shore. “Water, they cried, we need water.” From the shore came the reply, “Dip your buckets in the water where you are, the water will save you.” They did not know that they had drifted into a fresh water cove, and were in the midst of the very nourishment they needed.
We are in the midst of the nourishment we need when we celebrate Eucharist together, and share in the body of the Risen Lord. Our challenge is to now make those choices that show we are Eucharistic people, doing the work of Christ. May His presence lead us to know we are where we need to be, and may we be lead to go from here doing His work in all the ways that we can.