Deacon Tom Writes,
“Help For Troubled Heart And Minds”
Today’s Responsorial Psalm is Psalm 34 which encourages us to “Taste and see the goodness of the Lord”. Is this just a nice little
expression, or is the psalmist serious…? Can we really taste and see God’s goodness? I’m willing to bet that if you are
reading this article you probably have a number of such experiences where
God’s presence is so real you can feel it. As we listen to the 6th chapter of John’s gospel this summer, we Catholic have this wonderful opportunity to reflect upon this essential
teaching of our faith that maintains Christ makes Himself present to us in the Eucharist. We call this experience the "Real Presence". We really
can taste and see God’s presence and experience Him within our being. How
remarkable is this! Yet, sadly, I am afraid that our minds are on other matters
as we come forward to receive Christ fully present in the Eucharist. It’s
understandable... I get it! People are busy; they have their minds cluttered
with things to do, places to go; they have problems at work, at home, with the
in-laws, with their kids. O Lord, are we distracted!!!
I recall one of the early lessons in my life, the one about problem
solving. It goes like this, “The first step in solving a problem is recognizing
that you have one”. It sounds simple, doesn’t it? And, you’re right; it is, at
first glance. How many people do we know who aren’t dealing with their problems
because they refuse to recognize them? And the most likely reason is because
they don’t know where to turn, where to find help.
The psalmist today tells us where we can find help. Here, at the table
of the Lord is where we find the solution to all of life’s challenges and difficulties.
For if we are able to center our lives around this physically, emotionally, and
spiritually complete meal, we will have the strength, courage, and mindset that
will allow us to face our problem and find solutions to them.
The reason for this is simple: once we get our relationship with the
Son of God on proper footing, we will then in turn be able to get all of our
relationships on a solid basis also. Once the Eucharist becomes our staple
meal, and the indwelling of the Spirit is effectuated in us, we are able to
confront our problems with a new strength and awareness that leads us to new
solutions.
These few words from today’s readings provide immense insight into
God’s overwhelming love for us. His desire is for our complete happiness and
for our fulfilling our destiny of being One with Him forever. The Eucharist
truly allows us to taste and see the goodness of the Lord. With our eyes wide
open by this sacred meal we are able to see God’s goodness in the many kind
acts we see around us…in the beauty of the next flower we see or the next full
moon. Look into the eyes of a child or a young woman planning her wedding. Look
in the mirror! The psalmist tells us to stop for a moment and take in the
goodness of the Lord that surrounds us…. Don’t miss out on it! If we do, it’s
because, like Martha perhaps, our hearts and minds are in the wrong place and so
we miss out on God’s presence in everything and everyone around us.
What does God’s goodness taste like? It tastes like the feeling you get
when someone says “I love you” or “your forgiven” or when you wake up energized
and refreshed from a good night’s sleep and are greeted by the sunrise. God’s
goodness lingers within us and moves us in a way that only grace can or like
that special person in our life who can get our spirits to soar.
We taste and see the goodness of the Lord most clearly, of course, in
the Eucharist, food for the hungry and sight for sore eyes.
Enjoy the day!
Deacon Tom
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