For the last few years, in cooperation with my primary care physician and specialists in the medical field, I have been dealing with monitoring an incidental find — an asymptomatic ascending aortic aneurysm.
Though I felt no symptoms, imaging tests and scans proved it indeed existed in the main artery coming out of my heart. It would need to be taken care of before it could potentially rupture — which would be a much more life-threatening situation. Although I could not sense its real presence, it was truly a substantial and real problem.
Early in June (coincidentally on D-Day remembrance) a team of medical professionals successfully repaired the aneurysm. And at the time of this writing, I am on the road to recovery, planning to attend the National Eucharistic Congress — the main event of the three-year Eucharistic Revival. Held in Indianapolis in mid-July, around 50,000 people were expected to engage and celebrate the true, substantial and real presence of Jesus. The same Jesus who, on his three-year mission, told his disciples, “And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul…” but to have courage and remember that “everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father” (see Mt 10:28, 32).
At the start of the congress, it will be six-weeks post-surgery for me — my wife and I are looking forward to being spiritually fed at the five-day event. Up to this point, the physical healing process, rehab workouts and follow up visits have eliminated any doubts of the real presence of my medical conundrum. Yet, at the congress, we can now focus on what and whose real presence truly matters: his body, blood, soul and divinity — Jesus with us in the holy Eucharist.
The stats from various research services indicate that there are still many of our Catholic brothers and sisters in Christ out there who do not acknowledge this sacrament he gave at the Last Supper. Perhaps we are asymptomatic of our Lord’s real presence in the Eucharist? The congress provides many opportunities for attendees like us to engage in prayer, learning, and of course, in ramping up the virtue of courage in the ongoing — subtle or not so subtle— battles in spiritual warfare to compassionately live, explain and defend what we believe as Catholics.
Although the event will be over by the time you read this, being witnesses to others of Jesus’ real presence at the Mass, adoration hours and processions of the Blessed Sacrament should go on to the end of our days as we know them in the here and now.
The Lord taught his disciples to make “disciples of all nations,” which applies to us yet today: “…teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold I am with you always until the end of the age” (see Mt 28:19-20). This was after the Last Supper (the institution of the holy Eucharist) and the Lord’s passion. Jesus had resurrected, spent around 40 more days with beloved disciples and gave this final command and commission prior to his ascension to God the Father in heaven. How much more present need he be to convey the importance of his real presence to us? I would bet those two on the road to Emmaus got over any asymptomatic condition of Jesus’ real presence “when he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them” (Lk 24:30).
As Catholic Watchmen, our mission calls us and reminds us to live up to our duty as protectors, providers and leaders in our families and our parishes. At a minimum, we are to engage in every Sunday Mass where Jesus is truly, really and substantially present to spiritually feed ourselves and our families — body, blood, soul and divinity. We start as true believers alongside our families, fellow parishioners and friends engaging in the real presence of the Eucharist. Prayer vigils, Holy Hours, processions, a daily rosary, retreats, small groups, faith-filled activities with food and fellowship, peace and so much more happens when we experience the real presence of Jesus in our lives. Others that know us see the effect that regular Mass attendance and time adoring and gazing upon the Blessed Sacrament has on us. Because they see us in the peace of Jesus.
Deacon Bird ministers at St. Joseph in Rosemount and All Saints in Lakeville and assists with the archdiocesan Catholic Watchmen movement. See heroicmen.com for existing tools supported by the archdiocese to enrich parish apostolates for ministry to men. For Watchmen start-up materials or any other questions regarding ministry to men, contact him at gordonbird@rocketmail.com.
