You just have to be there...

The following is a witness talk given on Corpus Christi Sunday by Meghan Richard, a young parishioner at our Church. I want to thank Meghan, a high school junior, for sharing her life with Christ, and for her permission to reprint her words in this space.

I think we’ve all had unexplainable moments. The classic, “well, I guess you just had to be there….” When you have those moments, it’s usually easier when you don’t try to explain them—it almost cheapens them if you do.

As a junior in high school, I’m fully aware of how abnormal and “uncool” it is to go to church, let alone talk about anything having to do with church. And “Jesus camp” every summer? Well, you might as well tattoo “I’m weird” on my forehead. However, there is one reason why I’m not bothered by how “uncool” I am.

As a Catholic, I believe that the little white piece of bread, when consecrated, is the body and blood of Jesus Christ, my Lord, Savior, Prince of Peace, and Best Friend. Being in the presence of the ultimate King… that is my reason for attending Mass every week.

The Eucharist is the most sacred and amazing gift God offers us—and each time I accept that gift, the effect it has on me is unexplainable.

With millions of thoughts and emotions running through my brain, the Eucharist calms me. When I’m in a hurry and everything seems to be moving too fast for me to catch, the Eucharist slows it all down. When I’m happy, the Eucharist increases my joy. When I’m lonely, the Eucharist is my companion.

I am safe, I am at home, I am confident, and I am joyful in the presence of the Eucharist.

On this feast day, I remember why I come to Mass every week. I come to be fed by the body and blood of Christ—the very essence of peace, joy, healing, and comfort. I come each week to bring everything that I am and devote it to my God, and in doing so, I unwrap the precious gift of Him, the ultimate love, the Eucharist.

He is something different for each of us, for only He knows the true desires of our hearts.

But I guess, like many other experiences, the experience of accepting the gift of Jesus in the Eucharist is the kind that you “just have to be there” to understand.