The theology nerd in me wants to tell you that the word "eucharist" comes from the Greek word "eucharistia" which means "to give thanks". What else is there to give thanks for but the the body and blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ? There is truly no other thing in the world for which we should give higher thanks.
Before our daughter was born I was a daily Mass go-er. It helps that I work at a church, but Mass had become such a regular and necessary part of my life. After a particularly trying break up a few years ago I made myself go to daily Mass. Rather than sleep in (because my work hours allowed me to do such a thing) and wallow, I made myself go to Mass at least once a week. It slowly morphed into going to Mass every day (except Saturdays). The more I went the more I knew that I needed - and need - the Eucharist. Without His life coursing through my veins, without His strength in me, without feasting on His Word, how could I make it through a day? I could, but it wouldn't be the same. Without daily Mass my days lacked purpose and direction. Dining with Him was and is the best way to start my day.
Since our daughter was born I've been to exactly three Masses: Easter, Divine Mercy Sunday (which was also her baptism) and the third Sunday of Easter. I haven't braved daily Mass yet. Though I hope to take her when I return to work next month, I can't help but notice the change I've seen this month. Instead of 20+ Masses, I've been to three. Am I dying? No. I'm not as lost as I thought I might be - motherhood and caring for our sweet girl gives me purpose and direction, direction that I know comes from the God who gifted her to us. That doesn't mean that I don't miss the Eucharist. I do. I hunger for Him daily. In fact, one of the reasons I'm excited to go back to work is for the chance to re-incorporate daily Mass into my life, and my daughter's life.
In a way, the Eucharist takes on new meaning now. It has long since meant my salvation and strength, but with a growing daughter the Eucharist means showing her what life is really all about. Sure, for now her life is about eating and sleeping, but as she grows I want the Mass and the Eucharist to be central in her life. I want the Eucharist to direct her life. It took me far too long to find Him, to find that my purpose in life was and is to serve Him. I hope that my love of the Eucharist teaches my daughter to love Him, to seek Him, and to be found first and foremost in His love.
Blog
on the Eucharist.
{Linking up with Blessed Is She, because...why not?}
The theology nerd in me wants to tell you that the word "eucharist" comes from the Greek word "eucharistia" which means "to give thanks". What else is there to give thanks for but the the body and blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ? There is truly no other thing in the world for which we should give higher thanks.
Before our daughter was born I was a daily Mass go-er. It helps that I work at a church, but Mass had become such a regular and necessary part of my life. After a particularly trying break up a few years ago I made myself go to daily Mass. Rather than sleep in (because my work hours allowed me to do such a thing) and wallow, I made myself go to Mass at least once a week. It slowly morphed into going to Mass every day (except Saturdays). The more I went the more I knew that I needed - and need - the Eucharist. Without His life coursing through my veins, without His strength in me, without feasting on His Word, how could I make it through a day? I could, but it wouldn't be the same. Without daily Mass my days lacked purpose and direction. Dining with Him was and is the best way to start my day.
Since our daughter was born I've been to exactly three Masses: Easter, Divine Mercy Sunday (which was also her baptism) and the third Sunday of Easter. I haven't braved daily Mass yet. Though I hope to take her when I return to work next month, I can't help but notice the change I've seen this month. Instead of 20+ Masses, I've been to three. Am I dying? No. I'm not as lost as I thought I might be - motherhood and caring for our sweet girl gives me purpose and direction, direction that I know comes from the God who gifted her to us. That doesn't mean that I don't miss the Eucharist. I do. I hunger for Him daily. In fact, one of the reasons I'm excited to go back to work is for the chance to re-incorporate daily Mass into my life, and my daughter's life.
In a way, the Eucharist takes on new meaning now. It has long since meant my salvation and strength, but with a growing daughter the Eucharist means showing her what life is really all about. Sure, for now her life is about eating and sleeping, but as she grows I want the Mass and the Eucharist to be central in her life. I want the Eucharist to direct her life. It took me far too long to find Him, to find that my purpose in life was and is to serve Him. I hope that my love of the Eucharist teaches my daughter to love Him, to seek Him, and to be found first and foremost in His love.
The theology nerd in me wants to tell you that the word "eucharist" comes from the Greek word "eucharistia" which means "to give thanks". What else is there to give thanks for but the the body and blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ? There is truly no other thing in the world for which we should give higher thanks.
Before our daughter was born I was a daily Mass go-er. It helps that I work at a church, but Mass had become such a regular and necessary part of my life. After a particularly trying break up a few years ago I made myself go to daily Mass. Rather than sleep in (because my work hours allowed me to do such a thing) and wallow, I made myself go to Mass at least once a week. It slowly morphed into going to Mass every day (except Saturdays). The more I went the more I knew that I needed - and need - the Eucharist. Without His life coursing through my veins, without His strength in me, without feasting on His Word, how could I make it through a day? I could, but it wouldn't be the same. Without daily Mass my days lacked purpose and direction. Dining with Him was and is the best way to start my day.
Since our daughter was born I've been to exactly three Masses: Easter, Divine Mercy Sunday (which was also her baptism) and the third Sunday of Easter. I haven't braved daily Mass yet. Though I hope to take her when I return to work next month, I can't help but notice the change I've seen this month. Instead of 20+ Masses, I've been to three. Am I dying? No. I'm not as lost as I thought I might be - motherhood and caring for our sweet girl gives me purpose and direction, direction that I know comes from the God who gifted her to us. That doesn't mean that I don't miss the Eucharist. I do. I hunger for Him daily. In fact, one of the reasons I'm excited to go back to work is for the chance to re-incorporate daily Mass into my life, and my daughter's life.
In a way, the Eucharist takes on new meaning now. It has long since meant my salvation and strength, but with a growing daughter the Eucharist means showing her what life is really all about. Sure, for now her life is about eating and sleeping, but as she grows I want the Mass and the Eucharist to be central in her life. I want the Eucharist to direct her life. It took me far too long to find Him, to find that my purpose in life was and is to serve Him. I hope that my love of the Eucharist teaches my daughter to love Him, to seek Him, and to be found first and foremost in His love.
