November 8, 2023

By Father William Muench
NCC columnist

First, I want to tell you how impressed I was with the Eucharistic Congress at the North American Martyrs Shrine in Auriesville. I did not attend myself.

However, I have heard from many who did and were so impressed and pleased with the Congress. Many told me how impressed they were with Bishop LaValley’s homily at Mass. I am certain many people will realize the huge faith that we, Catholics, have in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.

Now some thoughts for today. Do you notice others? Do you see other people in your day? Have you taken some time to look at your husband or wife today? Not just a glance, but have you really looked at them? Have you taken time to look at your children today? I don’t mean watch; I mean just looked at them. Or your teenagers?
Today, I went to the barbershop. While I was waiting, a man came in with his little boy. The boy looked to be three years old. I must tell you I couldn’t take my eyes off him. He walked about, he even ran about, he wiggled all over the place. I was absorbed seeing all this new life.

So, be sure to look at your children today. They have much to give you.

Sometimes, I wonder if the people at Church notice each other at Mass. Occasionally, at the beginning of Mass, I suggest that people take a moment to look around at the others in Church. This is our family today, our family at Mass. I mention that my mother would be annoyed with me when I was young and looked around at Mass. Yet here I am today suggesting you observe the people with you. As the people of God at Mass, you should be praying for them all. You should be hoping that they are praying for you. As the priest celebrant at Mass, I take the time to notice them all and pray for them all.

Each time we pray, each time we participate at Mass, we should begin by remembering the presence of God. We, Catholics, believe that our God is a person – a person who knows us, who loves us, who wants to be with us. We believe in the Blessed Trinity, God the Father, God the Son, Jesus, and God the Holy Spirit. Each time, as you and I prepare to participate at Mass, we should, we must take time to recognize God’s presence with us – the God who loves us so much. We are taking the time to worship our God, we seek God’s healing power for ourselves, for others.

All of this prepares us well as we go out into our world to work, to teach, to follow our careers.

There are so many people that are part of our world. I ask you again, do you see them? Do they recognize you as someone who is a Christian, someone who is close to God? Do they see you as someone who “loves your neighbor as yourself?”

This leads us all on our road to become saints, and this demands a community. We should recognize our community. We should be part of our community.

Together, we realize who we are and what our goal is – to be saints.

Thomas Merton tells us that shortly after he was baptized, he was asked what he wanted to be. He says he fumbled a bit and then suggested I want to be a good Catholic person. His friend, however, told him that his goal was to become a saint.