Florida Catholic | Living Eucharist: ‘Both my body and soul require regular nourishment’

Intimate encounter in the Living Eucharist

‘Both my body and soul require regular nourishment’

KATHRYN BEURLEN | SPECIAL TO THE FLORIDA CATHOLIC

Published: 08.29.08

Kathryn Beurlen is a parishioner of St. Luke the Evangelist Parish, serves as a reader during weekday Masses and is president of the Upper Deanery of the Council of Catholic Women.
JANET SHELTON | FC

Retirement has given me the time and experience has given me the desire to make Mass and Communion an almost daily part of my life. As I gather with others to join in the celebration of the Eucharist, I sense a oneness that disregards the boundaries of place and time. At every Mass, I am united with family and friends whether they are present or not, whether they are living or not. When I attend Mass at St. Luke the Evangelist in Palm Harbor, I am united with other parishioners and with believers around the world.

The words, “Give us this day our daily bread,” rim many of the bread plates I have collected over the years and used as decorations in my kitchen. When I say that part of the Our Father, I pray for my physical and spiritual needs. Both my body and my soul require regular nourishment. Thanks to God’s blessings I can pay for my groceries, but Jesus has paid for my salvation. Bread from an oven represents all the foods my body needs. Bread from the hands of the priest is the body of Christ, which my soul needs.

Returning to the pew after receiving Communion, I put my face in my hands as the Sisters of Mercy taught me long ago, and I try to focus solely on Jesus. In those few precious moments before the conclusion of Mass, I thank him for all he has given me, and I pray that I will serve him well each day and serve my neighbor also.

Christ’s wonderful gift of the Eucharist enriches me every day. When I attend Mass, I am privileged to gather with others who share my faith. When I receive holy Communion, I am nourished by the bread of life. When I leave the church after Mass, I am sent forth to love and serve the Lord.

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