Saint Teresa of Avila, a Carmelite mystic and Doctor of the Church whose feast day we celebrated this past Friday, says that many people do not receive the graces which they ask for because their hearts are not prepared to receive them. In a similar way, many Catholics today do not receive the fullness of grace made available to them at Holy Mass because their hearts are simply not prepared to receive the greatest of all gifts – the Holy Eucharist.
To understand and truly appreciate the immensity of the gift of the Holy Eucharist (which is the gift of God giving His very self to you) requires preparation. Beginning this weekend in the Pend Oreille parishes, I ask that you arrive at the church 15 minutes early and pray. Ask the Holy Spirit to prepare your heart and mind to encounter the crucified and risen Christ in His Word and Holy Eucharist.
It is just as important to give thanks to God after receiving this most precious gift. Give five minutes of your week to quiet prayer immediately following Holy Mass in thanksgiving for the Holy Eucharist. Chances are that if someone gave you a car or house or lottery jackpot, you would spend more than a couple of seconds thanking that person. God has given you the promise of eternal life in the Holy Eucharist, which is so much more precious than any other gift you could possibly imagine.