THOUGHTS AS WE BEGIN THE TRIDUUM...

ASHLIE O'BRIEN
Physical Therapist in the Making...

         I woke up Sunday morning, two hours later than I usually would. I am still trying to keep my Lenten practice of refraining from listening to music. But, a song came on during a commercial. This song is often heard when we go without, and sometimes when used in context, we shrug and snicker at the corniness. Well, today, it rang true and profoundly hit me with its lyrics, "you don't know what you've got till it's gone." 
           Many of us woke up this morning, loaded our computers, gathered on couches instead of pews, and watched Mass over the internet. I, however, was given the unique opportunity to go to Mass and serve for my Parish's live stream. It made me realize that some Sundays, I drag my feet to Mass and go through the motions. I may physically be present, but I am not present. 
           Sometimes we may take the gift of the Eucharist for granted, may not fully grasp the real presence of Christ, and fullness of the Graces we receive week after week. It is easy for us to allow the Eucharist to become "normalized." But, when it is not readily available, we long to receive, and we realize what we have had, and now miss it when it is gone. The COVID-19 situation has taught me this lesson, not to take anything for granted, and not just go through the motions. The grandeur of the gift of the Eucharist is beyond me, and sometimes I find myself approaching the Blessed Sacrament with this in mind. I do not believe that I am alone in this. However, the greatest gift was given to me this morning, more than anything I could ever ask for, and it came to me via what was once a simple piece of bread but was then transubstantiated into the Body of Christ Jesus.
           As I sat in the Sanctuary, staring at endless rows of empty pews, my heart longed to be unified again with my Catholic Community. Mass was not the same. It was odd only hearing my voice respond to Mass parts. But then I remembered there is more than just physical community, we are all connected spiritually, and though we aren't present physically, we are all connected spiritually through the Eucharist. We are all apart of the Mystical Body of Christ.
           I find no coincidence that this health crisis occurred during Lent. As we now enter fully into the Paschal Triduum of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Vigil, I invite all of you all during this time of self-quarantine to be present in the Desert with Jesus for the remaining few days of Lent. Reflect with me. When was the last time you were "cognitively present," not just going through the motions when you received Jesus in the Eucharist? Do we truly realize that the moment we receive the Eucharist, we instantly become a living Tabernacle; Jesus is alive within us, and we take him with us on life's journey. On this Holy Thursday, Rejoice with the Gift of the Eucharist, and when the opportunity arises again to receive Jesus in the Eucharist, fully realize the Grandness of the love Jesus poured out for us on the Cross. Never let consuming the Blessed Sacrament become sterile, thoughtless, or bland. We truly never know what we have until it's gone.