Out of the Mouths of Babes

This morning I was not feeling well. I had gone to Mass last night to cantor, so I stayed home; and since Mark was singing in the choir, he left the children at home. We figured that the kids could watch the EWTN Mass and that would be roughly the same experience for them as attending in a church (from the vocal standpoint, anyway).

In a way, it was a little better from a “teaching moment” perspective, because I was able to talk to the children about the consecration and how the priest acts “in persona Christi.” I was in the process of telling them that when the priest says “This is My Body,” he is speaking for Christ; that the bread doesn’t become Fr. Martell’s body or Fr. Gabe’s body, but Jesus’ Body. The priest is speaking the words of Jesus, who is always the same, so that when His words are said, they make Him present. And they seemed to be getting it…

I was telling them all this as the first part of the Eucharistic prayer was being said, and then came the Moment: the priest got as far as “This is My…” AND THE CABLE COMPANY CUT THE PROGRAM FOR ANOTHER SHOW!!!!!!!!!

I was totally shocked and horrified beyond words!! I realize that the people in Birmingham who were actually attending the “real” Mass were not cut off in this rude manner, but *we* were! I turned off the television and just sat there for a moment; and then I started crying (I have three children – I cry at everything nowadays, I can’t help it). I said, “Poor Jesus!” in what I thought was a very low tone; but Paul and Joanna heard me, and asked me why I said that.

I told them that it was such a shame that here Jesus is, trying so hard to reach us – making us out of nothing; holding us in existence moment by moment; dying to save us; and all He asks of us is to once in a while tell Him “thank You” (OK, maybe that’s not *all,* but I was in the moment). And what do some people do? Cut Him out of their lives at the very moment of His greatest gift to the world, His Real Presence in the Eucharist!!

The children sat for a minute in silence, and then Paul suggested, “Well, we could still think about Jesus and the Mass, couldn’t we?” I told him that would be a great idea. Joanna chimed in, “Let’s try it right now!” And both of them closed their eyes and began to imagine the Mass. Paul said, “I see the pews!” And Joanna said, “Mommy, there’s Jesus!! There’s Jesus!!”

It was such a beautiful moment, and I am writing it down so that I will be able to read it again and remember it someday when I am feeling low. But since I feel weird writing things down like this if I am not sharing them with someone, I thought I would share it with you, too. Have a wonderful day!