Presiding at a Communion Service

This morning I presided at a Communion Service at Most Holy Trinity Parish.  I reported earlier this week about all the Archdiocesan Priests in New Orleans gathered together in convocation.  As they attend to this important matter, parishes have been conducting Communion Services, thanks in large part to the healthy numbers of Deacons who serve throughout this Archdiocese.

I have had to do this before and as usual, when the parish knows that there is no Mass, the crowd is a little smaller.  I truly respect that and understand that for some, nothing but the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will do.  Of course attending a Communion Service is far better, imho, than staying home.  What happens at a Communion Service?  You hear the prayers of the day, hear the assigned readings including that day's Gospel.  If you are lucky enough to have a Deacon present you will also hear a homily.  The prayers of intention are still offered, the community joins in the Lord's Prayer and sign of peace.  And  most importantly, Jesus is received in Holy Communion from the consecrated hosts reserved in the tabernacle.

Yes, Jesus is present to us in a Communion Service both in His holy & inspired Word and in Holy Communion.

I reflected from today's Gospel when Herod was concerned about the goings on of the Christ and wondered if John the Baptist or Elijah had come back.  In the end the Gospel said Herod just wanted to see Him.  We sometimes take for granted, as faithful Catholics, how we are allowed, in a special and excellent way, to see Him.  Everytime we attend Mass and see the Consecration, receive Him in Holy Communion, we see Him.  Not a mere symbol of Him, we see and receive and consume Jesus.  We also see Jesus in the Word proclaimed, the altar of sacrifice and the Priest, serving in persona Christi.

But sometimes God calls us to see Jesus in our fellow man; our brothers and sisters.  Even our own family and friends but we are also called to see Jesus in the persecuted and marginalized.  I was reminded of that yesterday by the encounter with the man as I rode the train home from Chicago to Hammond.  Please read that post just a few ones down.

So as the Priest's wind down their convocation today and return to their parishes, it will be daily Mass, as usual, tomorrow morning.  But when called upon, the Deacon is more than willing and able to provide a Communion Service for the faithful.  And I rejoice today in that opportunity presented to me this very morning.

May God continue to watch over, bless and protect all our many wonderful, holy and faithful Priests!