October 3, 2021

​When you walk into the church here at Prince of Peace and look above the sanctuary at the round stained-glass window, you will see a beautiful chalice and host. This is a representation of the second person of the Trinity: God the Son, or Jesus. How many of us can look at that window and actually see an image of Jesus?
When Father holds up the chalice and host before Communion and says, “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world…” do we see Jesus? Do we see the Lamb of God who does take away the sins of the entire world through his sacrifice on the Cross?
The Mass holds so many beautiful moments within it; moments that we easily take for granted. Although what we physically see is a gold cup and a piece of bread, that IS the Creator and Savior of the world! How can it be? Because Jesus told his apostles so! But Jesus loves us so much that he wants us to see him through the eyes of our faith.
St. Ignatius of Loyola wrote this prayer of thanksgiving for himself (and us) to recite after receiving Jesus in the Eucharist:
“Receive, Lord, my entire freedom. Accept the whole of my memory, my intellect, and my will. Whatever I have or own, it was You who gave it to me; I restore it to You in full, and I surrender it completely to the guidance of Your will. Give me only love of You together with Your grace, and I am rich enough and ask for nothing more. Amen”
May this help bring the real presence of Jesus to you in an even more special way!

- Deacon Jeff