“Today we are invited to partake  – not as spectators but as beloved friends.”

We reflect on the night Jesus was betrayed and the gift he gave us.  The most precious gift…his living body and blood poured out in love. 

Sometimes we forget that through the Eucharist He becomes one with us. He nourishes our souls in ways that nothing else can. 

It’s a time to remember his sacrifice and marvel at his love.  

I grew up attending mass weekly.  Without fail.  My mom was the cantor at 10:30 mass each week and even if we had friends sleep over on Saturday nights, come Sunday morning…we all got up and went to mass.  

No questions, no excuses.  We all went to church. 

I went through a period of many years in my life when attending mass was on the back burner.

We were raising a young family.  Days and weekends seemed to blur together as we juggled travel sports, activities, and a thousand other responsibilities that consumed our time.  

I look back on those days now and I wonder how we managed it all.  

And what I now realize is…we didn’t do it alone.  

Admittedly, time spent in church was scarce and felt pretty much impossible…

And I carried guilt for a long time that I didn’t manage to instill that same dedication of faith I was raised with into my own young family.  

Don’t get me wrong, I prayed regularly, my kids went to CCD and received all of their sacraments and I always taught them to act with kindness and love, but faith was more in the background of our lives rather than front and center.

And yet, somehow, someway, day in and day out, we managed to get everyone exactly where they needed to be, doing exactly what they needed to do.  

So I think that was God.   

God was with still with me, holding my life together, walking along side me and patiently waiting for me to return.

To Return!

I just had a lightbulb moment as I typed those words…

…waiting for me to Return.  

This Lenten season, on Hallow Pray 40, the theme was ‘The Return’.  

If you read my Introduction post at the beginning of this Lenten project, you know I prayed for God to lead me.  To help me find the words to write about His presence in my life this Lent…and just now, he once again proved was listening.  

I have not, even once, used the word Return throughout this blog series. 

Yet, here I am, in the early morning hours of Holy Thursday seeing that word spill out onto my screen.  

That…is…God.

I have no doubt He sent me that word.

He’s with me now and He’s been with me all along.

Over the past few years, attending weekly mass has been a constant.  It’s become the focus of my week and receiving the Eucharist is now what helps ground me.  

So what I’ve learned from these writings, is that even though Lent is coming to a close, my journey, my Return to God, and my faith is just beginning.

Dear Jesus, quiet my heart and teach me to love with humility and grace. Help me remember Your sacrifice and trust Your love more deeply today. Amen.