Did you know that the Eucharist is a glimpse of Heaven? Actually, it’s more than a glimpse. We participate in the heavenly sacrifice, the heavenly choirs’ hymn, and we get to SEE, TASTE, FEEL, and SMELL our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who is GOD, who is seated at the right hand of the Father!

When I remember this, I have a difficult time receiving communion…I am so totally unworthy. And then we pray, “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.” And so, in my faith, I allow Christ to heal me, to make me worthy, to cleanse me, so that He has a perfect place to reside…ME. I cannot express my feelings. I can’t even find the words to tell you what feelings I have. Even as I write this, I am tearing up for the love that God gives me, all of us, as we come to His altar. That sort of love is beyond comprehension. How can we, mere mortals, understand what an infinite God has wrought? The love and grace poured out for us in the Sacrament of the Most Holy Eucharist is AWEsome. And this is the awe that we should have when approaching our Lord.

Fear of the Lord is one of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. It is this fear of the awesome power and mercy of our Loving Father that gives me goose-bumps, brings tears to my eyes and a catch in my throat as I approach the altar each time I go to Mass. And it happens in Adoration, too. That is MY LORD! How can I sit or even kneel before Him. I must prostrate myself and hide my eyes from Him. I am on holy ground. Moses was instructed to remove his sandals when approaching the holy ground of the burning bush. David prostrated himself before the Holy of Holies. Elijah covered his head when the whisper of God came to him in the cave. How is it that I am allowed to stand before God in the Eucharist and actually touch Him?!?!?

Because Jesus told us to “Do this in remembrance of me,” to “take, eat” and “drink” for the salvation of our souls. Jesus wants us to participate fully in the Eucharist… this is the source and summit of our Faith that has been handed down through the generations with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. To not participate, would be to shun our Savior’s wishes, to say, “Yeah, you’re God, but I know better than you.” So, as we approach the altar…yes, be in AWE of Him, who gave His life for us, but also, come forward and receive Him…that is what He wants of us, for us. Come forward, again and again and again…every chance you get. And if you see me with tears in my eyes at Mass…it’s just my overly emotional self in love with my God.

Glory and Praise to our God who is all worthy!