During the Holy Triduum this year, I was battling a cold that just wouldn’t go away. I had already been sick for over a week and was still coughing. Nevertheless, I had volunteered to be a lector for the Holy Thursday liturgy, as they hadn’t been able to find enough volunteers. So, I asked God to help me read for His glory, and without coughing, if at all possible.
Precisely because I wanted to save my voice, I decided not to sing the hymns prior to the readings. I simply mouthed the words, participating as best I could, and listened as the entire community sang behind me. During the “Gloria” I had a profound experience. I felt as though heaven and earth were united in one massive choir, and that Jesus, seated at the right hand of His Father, was present with us right there above the altar.
The reality is that the Most Holy Trinity, along with the angels and saints, is in fact present with us at every Mass. I recall watching a short video entitled “The Veil Removed” which depicts angels processing down the church’s main aisle until they reach the altar and surround it. During the consecration of the bread, the angels offer praise to Jesus, present in the host. During the consecration of the wine, the blood of Christ is shown dripping into the chalice from the crucifix hanging behind the altar, reminding us once again that what we consume is truly His Body and Blood.
In today’s readings, we also see how God makes Himself present in various ways. Elijah does not find Him in the heavy wind, nor in the earthquake, nor in the fire, but rather in a tiny whispering sound. In the second reading, we see the Spirit of Christ present in Saint Paul, who is deeply anguished over his brethren and willing to do whatever it takes for their well-being. And in the Gospel, Jesus makes Himself present to His disciples as they struggle in their boat amid a violent storm. After telling Peter to walk on the water and saving him when he began to sink, they proclaimed, “Truly, you are the Son of God.”
Just like that experience I had on Holy Thursday, and just like that video I watched, today’s readings are another demonstration of the unity of God with His people, of heaven with earth. May God help us realize in a much deeper way the union of His divinity with our humanity. May we be filled with joy, knowing that soon we will be fully united with Him forever in heaven.
Durante el Santo Triduo este año, estuve batallando con un resfriado que no se me iba. Ya había estado enferma más de una semana y seguía con tos. Sin embargo, me había ofrecido para leer durante la liturgia del Jueves Santo, ya que no encontraban suficientes voluntarios. Así que, le pedí a Dios que me ayudara a leer para su gloria, y sin toser, si fuera posible.
Por lo mismo que quería guardar mi voz, decidí no cantar los himnos anteriores a las lecturas. Solo movía la boca, participando como podía, y escuchaba como cantaba toda la comunidad atrás mio. Durante la gloria, tuve una experiencia profunda. Sentí que el cielo y la tierra se unían en un coro enorme y que Jesus, sentado a la derecha de su Padre, se hizo presente con nosotros arriba del altar.
La realidad es, que la Santísima Trinidad, junto con los ángeles y santos, de hecho están presentes con nosotros en cada Misa. Me acuerdo de haber visto un video corto que se llama “Lo que pasa en Misa, pero no vemos con los ojos” y mostraba angeles procesando por el pasillo principal de la iglesia hasta llegar al altar y pararse alrededor de él. Durante la consagración del pan, los ángeles alababan a Jesus, presente en la hostia. Durante la consagración del vino, la sangre de Cristo goteaba en el cáliz desde el crucifijo que colgaba detrás del altar, recordándonos nuevamente que lo que consumimos es verdaderamente su cuerpo y sangre.
En las lecturas de hoy, vemos también cómo Dios se hace presente de diferentes maneras. Elias no lo encuentra en el huracán, ni en el terremoto ni en el fuego, sino en la brisa suave. En la segunda lectura, vemos al espíritu de Cristo presente en San Pablo, quien se angustia por sus hermanos, y está dispuesto a hacer lo que fuese por su bien. Y en el Evangelio, Jesus se hizo presente a sus discípulos quienes estaban batallando en su barca en medio de una gran tormenta. Después de decirle a Pedro que caminara sobre las aguas y de salvarlo cuando empezó a hundirse, proclamaron, “Verdaderamente tú eres el Hijo de Dios”.
Igual que esa experiencia que tuve el Jueves Santo, e igual que ese video que vi, las lecturas de hoy son otra muestra de la unidad de Dios con su pueblo, del cielo con la tierra. Que Dios nos ayude a darnos cuenta de una forma más profunda la unión de su divinidad con nuestra humanidad. Que nos llenemos de alegría sabiendo que pronto estaremos plenamente unidos con Él para siempre en el cielo.
Tami Urcia is a midwestern gal from a large Catholic family. As a young adult she was a missionary in Mexico, where she studied theology and philosophy. After returning stateside bilingual, she gained a variety of work experience, traveled extensively and finished her Bachelor’s Degree at Brescia University. She loves organizing and simplifying things, watching her children play sports, deep conversations with close family and friends and finding unique ways to brighten others’ day with Christ’s love. She works full time at Diocesan in the Software Department and manages the Inspiration Daily reflections. She is also a contributing writer on CatholicMom.com and BlessedIsShe.net.
Feature Image Credit: brooklyn, unsplash.com/photos/people-in-the-street-painting-MO5qO9xpZhA
The views and opinions expressed in the Inspiration Daily blog are solely those of the original authors and contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Diocesan, the Diocesan staff, or other contributors to this blog.
Daily Reading
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Reading 1 1 Kings 19:9a, 11-13a At the mountain of God, Horeb,Elijah came to a cave where he took shelter. Then the LORD said to him,“Go outside and stand on the…
Saint of the Day
Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein)
St. Teresa Benedicta (Edith Stein), German philosopher turned nun, converted from atheism, martyred in Auschwitz, canonized in 1998, patron saint of Europe. The post Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross