1 Sam 4:5 (Resounding the Eucharist) by Diane Overmann

“When the ark of the Lord arrived in the camp, all Israel shouted so loudly that the earth resounded.” ~ 1 Sam 4:5 (full readings)
.
Diane’s Reflections: These people shouted so loudly that the earth resounded.  This was their amazing faith in the power of the tablets with God’s Word and their hope that all was possible because God was with them.  I think of myself as trying to be a faithful Catholic.  I even attempt to pass this faith along.  However, I went to Communion yesterday and did not shout so the earth resounded.  I left church and went about the ordinary things of my day and forgot the awesome presence of God within me.  I know of a parent who is writing a book about why there is not a line to see Jesus.  Why are we not having people pushing to get into our Masses?  Why am I not just bursting with joy at the chance to receive Eucharist?  Look at the faces of those arriving for a sporting event and look at the faces of those arriving for Mass.  I cannot judge them because there are times when I wonder why I am not excited about arriving.  The Eucharist has been part of my life since I was six years old.  How would I feel if I could never receive the Eucharist?  Many years ago as I watched senior adult with walkers and canes struggle to walk to receive Communion, I told God that I wanted what they had.  I want the amazing enthusiasm that Samuel talks about resounding the earth.
* Diane Overmann is the Faith Formation Director at St. Clare Catholic School in O’Fallon, IL. She also presents catechist classes for the Diocese of Belleville. 

Faith Challenge: Spend several minutes thinking about how you would change if there were no Eucharistic celebrations available to you.
.
Counter-Culture News: LSN, LifeNews, Priests for Life, AFA, Vatican, Project Rachel.
.
Our Prayers: Prayer to end abortion. LIFE Runners Creed & Patron Saint. Add Prayers. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, etc. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now.
.
Feast Day: St. Marguerite Bourgeoys.
.
Faith Quote: “Being holy means living in deep communion with the God of joy, having a heart free from sin and the sadness of the world, and a mind that is humble before God.”  ~ Blessed John Paul II
.
Through Christ Our Lord,
Diane 
.
* Pray/Fast: Prayer connects us with God’s will and His miracles, changing us and helping others. Fast from things that take your eyes off Jesus. Those who pray together stay together, and close to God!
* Save Unborn (and family): Abortion reality…#1 death cause (22% pregnancies). Prov 24:11 and Jer 1:5. “A great poverty that a child must die that you might live as you wish.” Mother Teresa.
* Evangelize: Make room for unbelievers and re-evangelization of self, by way of prayer (relationship) and following Christ’s example of love (service/sacrifice/mercy). Mt 28:19.