A Word on Evangelization

24th Sunday, Ordinary Time, September 15, 2024

Deacon Mike Meyer

    Reverence to the Sacred.  If Jesus was standing before us right now, today, most of us would be inclined to drop to our knees in reverence and awe.  We would present ourselves humbly before Jesus with loving respect in thanksgiving for what he did for us on the cross, and what He continues to do for us each and every day of our lives.  So, if we really and truly believe that the Eucharist is Jesus’ Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity, we should naturally show the same reverence, awe and respect when we encounter the Blessed Sacrament in all circumstances.  Whether we are approaching the altar to receive, or when we are simply present in the church knowing the Jesus is truly present in the tabernacle, or when we come to Eucharistic Adoration to spend time with Jesus.

    Our actions become a reflection of our attitudes, and if we truly believe, then it should be natural to show reverence at all times to the Blessed Sacrament in the Eucharist.  Father Frank Amberger when he was pastor at St. Remy Catholic Church in Russia, was a great example for us in the reverence that he consistently placed on the Eucharist.  His example helped foster vocations to the priesthood.  When young boys and young men witness such devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, they begin to understand the magnitude of the role of the priesthood to the church and to the people of God.  Every time that we witness such devotion, God plants a seed of faith, and when hearts are open, these seeds begin to take root and grow.

    We have many opportunities to model this same kind reverence in our own lives, with our own children, our nieces and nephews, our grandchildren, and our friends.  When our actions reveal that the Eucharist is really Jesus’ Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity, we are witnessing to the important role of the priesthood and all religious life.  This has the potential to contribute to an increase in vocations in our families, our parishes, and our communities.

    It is a good idea to reflect on what our actions speak to others and how much we live out our faith in what we do.  Nobody does this perfectly so there is always room for improvement.  So, on this twenty fourth Sunday of ordinary time, September 15, 2024, let us take some time to reflect on how prayerful and reverent we are at mass, or in church, or when we are at home.  If we increase in the living of our faith through our actions by showing reverence and awe when we encounter Christ in the Eucharist, we could very well be sowing seeds that could possibly take root and grow in another person.  Through God’s grace, we could without realizing it be growing and raising up future priests.                            Deacon Mike