They stood at the entrance of the eastern gate of the Lord’s house, and the glory of the God of Israel was up above them. Then the cherubim lifted their wings, and the wheels went along with them, while up above them was the glory of the God of Israel.
Ezekiel 10:22
When you think of the Sacraments, what do you think of? More specifically, what do you envision is happening as you are receiving one of them?
Prayer is always so much more powerful when it is with other people, is it not? And to receive a Sacrament – you need another person there with you, to administer the Sacrament to you.
I remember one time as part of my men’s CRHP group, we had a night of discussion with one of the parish priests. It was an informal discussion over a couple beers, and he went through a lot of things that night, especially the Sacraments. We were talking about Confession in particular, and He asked, why do we have to go to Confession in person? Why can’t we just email, or do it over the phone, or text?
A few guys said the standard things like, “we have to say our sins out loud, to another person…” And, the priest is In persona Christi, in the Person of Christ. Of course, these are both true. But then I spoke up and quoted the Gospel for today, specifically, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
Father said to me – “go on…”
And so, I proceeded to say, “well, Confession is between yourself, the priest, and Jesus. There is no more literal meaning to this verse than that. And Confession is so intimate, but yet so powerful where God’s Grace is poured out. Jesus doesn’t say where only two or three thousand are gathered in my name. Sure, He is there in these large groups. But Jesus is also there just as much, if not more, in these smaller groups, where two or three are gathered in His name. And He is most powerful in Confession, forgiving our sins.”
Father nodded his head, and said, “you know Joe, I never thought of it that way… but you’re right.”
It seemed so logical to me, I was shocked he’d never thought of it like that.
There was another time, about two years ago where I was in Mass. The priest, who was from Nigeria and a wonderful man, spoke in a thick accent – “we must offer each Mass for a particular intention, a personal intention. And there is no more powerful time to pray for this intention than during the Consecration of the Eucharist. At that time the doors of Heaven are opened and shining straight upon us! Jesus is there, in our midst, before us. Talk to Him!”
Since that very day, I have offered each Mass I attend for a particular intention and use the time during the Consecration as my most intense, and personal time of prayer before our Lord.
And the cherubim lifted their wings, and the wheels went along with them, while up above them was the glory of the God of Israel.
The results of this have been almost unexplainable. The only explanation is, by the power of God.
These readings today may seem distant and confusing. But they cannot be more literal, more truthful. They cannot be more simple. This is what happens when the Lord is in our midst, in our presence. We need other people to experience Christ, to see Him and feel Him in our midst – whether it is through the Bishop in Holy Orders and Confirmation, the priest in Baptism, the Anointing of the Sick, and Confession, or through our spouse in Holy Matrimony, and our Eucharistic Ministers in Communion.
Jesus is there in those people, in the people around us, and in us.
And when we experience His Grace, the angels lift their wings, and reveal – the Glory of God.
