A SACRED SPACE
My fellow parishioners, are you missing attending Sunday Mass in church and long to pray with others? For me, going to church is like coming home. It is a welcoming place where I can find comfort in trying times and celebrate joyous times. It’s where I can sacramentally receive the Body of Christ and take time to quietly reflect and talk to God. Unfortunately, the pandemic we are living through has made attending church impossible. But, all is not lost!
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “The Christian family is the first place of education and prayer.” The family is the ‘domestic church’. Our families are meant to be “little churches”, places where we practice our faith, pray together, take meals as a family and forgive and celebrate together.
At this moment in time, the “Domestic Church” is more vital than ever. As we spend long days and nights in our homes trying to establish new routines of learning, working from home and stressing over the days ahead, we can easily put God on the back burner. A visual way to remind us of God’s presence in our home is to set aside “sacred place”. This is a long time but, often forgotten Catholic tradition. A place to remind you that God is always with you, in your home and in your life. It can be a table with a crucifix, a bible, the Blessed Mother, rosary beads, etc. You can have it anywhere in your home, your kitchen, dining room, bed room. Having one on your child’s bedroom night stand is a wonderful way to remind your child God is watching over and of course, to say their prayers.
While we may not be able to gather around the table of the altar and receive Holy Communion, let us gather around the table of our homes and invite Our Lord to enter His Domestic Church.
May the Holy Spirit, who knows no social distancing, draw all our families closer together so that our hearts may overflow with joy on that happy day when we can all join together around the altar of the Lord. Till then, be safe, stay well and know you are loved.
Blessings,
Amelia Johnson, DRE