Ecclesiology

I have been thinking a lot about the Church throughout the world recently.

It astounds me that every time we celebrate the Eucharist, we do so with all types of people from throughout the world.  At times, I think we limit ourselves by believing that our celebration encompasses only like-minded people either within our parish or dare I say, the neighboring diocese.  Rarely, though, do we consider the international and multi-dimensional Church outside of our personal experiences. 

What I have been "wrestling" with as of late, is the idea that the prisoner, the Chinese family attending Mass underground, the Haitian priest, the students of Pitt-Johnstown, the parishioners of thousands of parishes throughout the US, the drug addict, the Pope, the dying and the homeless of our society (just to name a few) are all celebrating the same mystery, the same Eucharistic meal day after day.  In a certain sense, Mass is the great equalizer!  We all come as sinners and offer what we have, but we do so as equals.  It is beautiful to think that no matter our social status, political ideology, net worth or even our physical location, we are able to share in something greater than ourselves. 


St. Elizabeth Ann Seton said, "The accidents of life separate us from our dearest friends, but let us not despair. God is like a looking glass in which souls see each other. The more we are united to Him by love, the nearer we are to those who belong to Him."

I think that this is true not only of friends, but of all humanity.  It isn't always easy, nor is it something we have to think about every day, but our faith calls us to constant conversion.  It is a faith that draws the entirety of humankind to be "one, holy, catholic and apostolic," not just the people we remember or that we are alike.

So, next time we enter into the mystery of the Eucharist, we should consider the connection we have, not only with the Body of Christ present in our hands and on our tongue, but also the Body of Christ that is spread throughout the world.  We are a universal Church; one Body in Christ and we do not stand alone!