A Reflection on the Eucharistic Prayer II

"We thank you for counting us worthy to stand in your presence and serve you."

Again, I heard and prayed these words from Eucharistic Prayer II that our priest had selected for Wednesday's Mass. Every time I hear those words, I am reminded that our God has raised us up and has given us dignity as human beings and "People of God." Though he is King and Lord, God does not require that his creatures cower at his feet.

Instead, what God wishes from his people is that we love and serve him. Just as we stand and offer, in union with our priest, "this life-giving bread, this saving cup" in memory of Jesus' death and resurrection, we offer ourselves to our God's service also.

To serve him, means serving our brothers and sisters around us, in our families, in our parish family, in our community and in our world. This is how we pay homage to our God and thank him for all he has done for us.

Everyone knows that this is not easy. We place many stumbling blocks in our way. It is so easy to be complacent... to let someone else do God's work in the world. It is easy to "talk the talk" but not so easy to "walk the walk." But Jesus did it...

Wherever the poor, the sick, the dying, the outcasts, the hurting people were... that's where you found Jesus. The people felt his caring touch as they reached out to him. He not only healed their bodies, but their hearts also. They listened to his words of hope that their God loved them with a tender and everlasting love; and they rejoiced.

Many years ago, I came across a beautiful definition of being a Christian. We are people who must "serve others; without limits, forever." This sounds like a daunting task; but not if you take one step at a time... one day at a time... We simply need to begin.

We pray God to allow his Spirit to move within us, so that we can reach out to others to truly become part of God's Presence in the world.