Ross Belle Balatbat
Last 17th June, the Pastoral Care for Migrants (PCM) held the regular formation given by Fr Alejandre “Andy” Vergara who exhorted the faithful on how to truly make the Holy Eucharist the source and summit of their Christian Life.
Fr Andy dwelt on three main points: commitment, spiritual disposition and liturgical preparation. He also gave suggestions to improve reception of Holy Communion with reverence such that every Mass is as if it were the first, the last, and the only Mass.
Commit oneself to the Eucharist and focus on that commitment. Sometimes we are the one making competitors for the Lord. Sadly, a lot of those who have time choose to work part time and set God aside. God can wait but the extra job cannot. Eventually, there is no more time to attend the Mass.
And for those who do go to church, even then, we are too focused on ourselves. While waiting for the Mass to start, some are too distracted looking at their cell phones, and not focused 0n receiving Jesus.
Read the Mass readings ahead of time, so one can prepare and set his mind to listen attentively because God is speaking to us. He pointed òut that sometimes God answers prayers or gives blessings but we are not able to appreciate any of that.
Reflect and pray about the readings. Go to church early to have a little silence and spend a few moments in prayer. Compose ourselves because we are going to meet the King of Kings, if not, we are not giving Him a chance to speak to us. We cannot be late for a big game: should we not be early in coming to meet the Lord? Coming late dampens overall participation and distracts the whole congregation.
Be spiritually disposed. We have to have Faith that Jesus is present body and blood. We must pray with fervor, “Lord I do believe, strengthen my faith.”
Appreciation and thanksgiving. Others are starting to take Jesus for granted, like in marriage one can be accustomed, even with daily communicants. Others, upon receiving, start chattering immediately, forgetting they must pause and appreciate. The Diary of Mercy of Saint Faustina says that there are souls receiving Jesus without love. Because he becomes a mere object, he prefers not to be received.
Make a good sacramental confession. Have a pure soul in receiving Holy Communion. When we are not in the grace of God, sacramental confession is necessary.
Reverence. Moses and Isaiah’s acts of reverence were symbolic but how much better should we act with Jesus really present in the Eucharist who deserves the greatest reverence.
Intention. The priest usually does not negate the parishioners’ intention. Participate in the Mass. We need to be fully actively and consciously involved.
Receive Holy Communion with a Marian heart. Humbly beg the blessed virgin to lend us utmost purity, humility and burning love through her Most Immaculate Heart.
Eucharistic apostle, after the Mass, the Lord sends us into his harvest.
We only talk about God if we gather in a spiritual place, in a prayer meeting. But in ordinary gatherings, do we ever remember God?
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