253. Corpus Christi

In describing the life of St. Paschal of Baylon, a Franciscan lay brother, our long- departed brother Fr. Marian Habig, in the Franciscan Lives of the Saints* refers to St. Paschal's devotion to the Blessed Sacrament:

1. Consider that God showed by a miracle of the dead body of St. Paschal how pleasing to him is devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. How it must offend God when Christians in full health are too indifferent or comfortable to show respect to the Blessed Sacrament. Does not the same Majesty reign in our churches in the Blessed Sacrament before which the angels and archangels, and all the saints and the just offer their homage in heaven? And is it too much for a poor worm of earth to bend his knee in reverence? Where will such Christians seek assurance when the same God appears in glory and majesty to judge the living and the dead? -- Will you have no reason to tremble then?
2. Consider the respect Holy Mother Church renders to the most holy Sacrament of the Altar. The God-man really present in the Blessed Sacrament is the motive that explains the magnificence of our churches, the splendor of our cathedrals and convent churches, in some of which the chants are heard even at midnight. According to the rubrics, even the poorest village church must keep the sanctuary lamp burning steadily before the Blessed Sacrament day and night. But should the light of the sanctuary lamp alone rise towards Him? Should it not rather remind us that our hearts should glow like it with true inner devotion to the Holy Sacrament? -- Have you up till now heeded this lesson of the sanctuary lamp?
3. Consider that devotion to the Blessed Sacrament should not be confined to the walls of the House of God. On the feast of Corpus Christi the Blessed Sacrament is sometimes carried about in solemn procession as in a public triumphal march. On the occasion everybody should do what lies in his power to honor Him whom no words of praise or tokens of honor can ever extol enough. Consider it an honor to take part in such processions. Also on less splendid occasions when the Holy Sacrament is taken to the sick, perhaps in your own home or in that of a neighbor, never omit to manifest your deep devotion. Then our Lord will also come to you in holy Communion so much the more graciously, notably on the day when He will be brought to you as your Viaticum.

The amount of reverence and devotion given to the Blessed Sacrament in our Cathedrals, Basilicas, Parish Churches, Chapels and even the smallest of sanctuaries is huge. Unfortunately, thanks to the mistaken interpretation resulting from the Second Vatican Council, but never so intended, many sanctuaries lack the presence of a Tabernacle in a prominent place. This may have caused lack of emphasis on the need for this reverence. I visit my parish church from time to time when I have time to pray a little or just to sit silently before the Tabernacle, outside of Holy Mass or other Liturgical events, and it is very often that there are people in Church, ostensibly for the same reason, but chattering away to the next person in the pew or with kids who freely run around as if the church was some sort of play room. The sense of awe is often lacking. It is very difficult for me to sit there and not be terribly distracted or become even judgmental about this lack of reverence given my high blood-pressure. And that's not good, because anger with me wipes out any benefits that my visit intended.

Church should be a place for prayer and adoration, for Holy Mass and other Liturgical functions, but it should not, nor ever was intended, to be a place where people turn their backs to the Tabernacle, even unintentionally, to hold sundry conversations that have nothing to do with their church visit. And even during Holy Mass, some people carry on a conversation about something at home, so loudly that one cannot help but hear it. Some people blame the demise of the Latin Mass as a cause for the lack of awe. Well, I wouldn't go that far, either. Lack of awe and respect comes from a lack of self-discipline and in general is lacking in the world as a whole.

I drove to Palm Beach the other day, a trip of about 75 miles one way. The speed limit on the Interstate is 70 miles per hour (mph). I was averaging about 75 mph, and it was as if I were standing still. Everyone else passed me at way higher speeds. I don't mind driving faster, but I see no reason to. My steering is sensitive and it doesn't take much to lose control. I am reminded of an incident that occurred some years ago. Although I was not driving, I was a passenger in a rental truck once where we drove over some road debris, and it set up a rocking dynamic that for a rental truck is very dangerous. If that happens to a small car, you can imagine what they might do. No. I play it safe, as much as possible. However, what I am getting at is that people drive 90 or 95 mph often weaving in and out of lanes endanger everyone's lives. They have lost all self-discipline. It is as if they do not care anymore what happens to people other than themselves.

I hope that Catholics haven't become uncaring about the Blessed Sacrament. When one sees Churches in Industrial states, particularly in the Northern states in USA, often empty or with just a couple of elderly people in attendance, it is because many people are Catholics in name only. They no longer go to Church on Sundays. That too, is a lack of self-discipline, but mostly it is a lack of caring about God. If these words ring true, please go visit a Church, go sit in front of the Blessed Sacrament, Jesus Christ, and ask Him to forgive you. He is looking forward to your visit.

Corpus Christi is the feast of the Blessed Sacrament, of the Body of Christ. Honor and adore Jesus, who gave His life for us so that we might live.

May God be praised now and forever!

Fred Schaeffer, SFO
June 6, 2007

(*) Full text elsewhere on this website.

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"bro. Fred's Reflections" are essays and reflections on general and Franciscan spirituality. It has been available on the Internet for about ten years now, on one or more websites. Thank you for reading them.