My Lord and My God

A passer-by's quick gesture reminded Elizabeth Yank of the importance of showing reverence to Christ in the tabernacle even when we're outside the church building.

I was standing by my kitchen window one late-November day when I noticed a young man wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and jeans walking quickly down the edge of the road intently on his way somewhere carrying some evergreens. He was probably decorating early for Christmas. He was definitely in a hurry. After all, the weather was in the 20s that morning.

Besides the fact that people rarely walk down our road, he did something most people don’t do. He paused in front of the Catholic church and bowed, offering reverence to Christ in the Eucharist in the tabernacle.

He may have said a prayer, but no matter what he acknowledged our Lord and Savior in the tabernacle. It was a reminder that Christ is real. He is living. He did not just live 2,000 years ago. He exists today.

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In a similar manner, if we receive the Eucharist standing, we bow before receiving the Eucharist as a visible sign of reverence. In former times, people would offer deference to royalty with this gesture of bowing as a sign of honor and respect. On the last Sunday of the liturgical year, we celebrate the feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King.

I don’t know where I developed the habit, but when bowing before receiving the Eucharist, I say the words in my mind of St. Thomas, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). This phrase has always been a reminder of the profound meaning of the mystery of Christ willing to come to me a poor sinner.

There are many opportunities to show reverence to the Eucharist in a Catholic church, such as genuflecting before entering a pew. How often do we pass a Catholic church and remember He is waiting for us?

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Whatever short prayer or humble gesture of reverence you choose, the next time you pass a Catholic church, remember He loves you. #CatholicMom

We are reminded by St. Paul that we should “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Acknowledging Our Lord God and Savior when we pass a Catholic church is one such way. If we are driving, we might not be able to bow, but we can always pray a sign of the cross and a short prayer such as “Hello, Jesus," or "I love You, Jesus,” or “Jesus, I trust in You,” or the Jesus prayer, which dates back to the seventh century: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” There are numerous other short prayers, such as “we adore You, O Christ, and we praise You” (part of a prayer by St. Francis of Assisi) that deepen our relationship with Christ. Whatever short prayer or humble gesture of reverence you choose, the next time you pass a Catholic church, remember He loves you.

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