Monday Musings - Feeling Incomplete?

Where is the God we came to worship?

"I feel so incomplete," the Pastor announced at the end of the Mass.

CANASTOTA, NY - The parish we had visited during a recent trip had been holding Stations of the Cross during Lent in their newly constructed Church even though the physical Stations of the Cross had not yet arrived or been mounted on the Church walls.

"The Stations are coming," Father assured his congregation. "We won't be looking at empty walls much longer."

I understood that sentiment and how having the physical Stations would enhance that prayerful devotion.

But...

Was there not a far more compelling reason for all of us to feel incomplete?

What about the barren white wall space behind the altar? Where was the tabernacle? Where was the sanctuary lamp reminding us of the Presence of our imprisoned Lord? 

Where was the God we came to worship? He was not in the sanctuary.

Why would we remove from the sanctuary of our Churches, HE WHO makes that space Sacred and Holy - unlike any other structure man can visit?

To whom will we genuflect and bend our knee in adoration, gratitude and respect?

Why do we hide the greatest Treasure on earth in a tiny space that can accommodate only a handful of souls in the back of the Church separate from the sanctuary?

How likely are we to spend the time prior to Mass in reverent and prayerful silence, rather than idle chatter with our neighbors?

And we wonder why we have lost the sense of the Sacred within our Church buildings and why so many claiming to be Catholic no longer believe that their Lord remains physically amidst them waiting to be visited, worshiped, loved and adored?

Yes, I agree with Father. There is a reason for all who enter this particular Church (and far too many others) to feel incomplete. But it is not due to the absence of man-made sculptures. It is the result of failing to place our loving and ever-present Lord behind the altars in the sanctuaries of His Churches. 

Should we not be concerned about how our Lord feels being hidden and ignored? 

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My blog where I promote zeal for the salvation of souls, awe and amazement for the Holy Eucharist and Eucharistic Adoration, and fidelity to the Truths of our Catholic Faith.