Do This in Memory of Me: Begin Anew

By: Laura Catherine Worhacz

​Dearest Eucharistic Family,
 
The Lenten Season of our Liturgical year is truly a favorite time for me. Although the thought of sacrifice comes to mind first, the grace within the offering is always found and the presence of Jesus is ever more realized in the Eucharistic sacrifice. Of all the cycles of life within the Church, Lent seems so very sacred. It is a time to REMEMBER God's love for humanity especially. Taking time to reflect and pray on the Stations of the Cross and the suffering Jesus Christ endured opens us to the grace Christ came to give. Jesus lived out what it means to have a humble contrite heart. It is more than we will understand completely this side of the heavens.
 
To deepen our faith in the Resurrection of life everlasting we pray, we fast, and we give of ourselves. This prepares us for Easter, the Triumph of grace, goodness, and love, over the power of evil. As we open ourselves, united to the Passion of Christ, a great hope sets a fire of love to our hearts, a longing to be with God, a vulnerability to cling to Our Father. We are blessed.
 
The word anew means to find a new or different more positive way, to do something once again, once more. We are marked by the sign of the Cross to begin our Lenten journey reminded of turning to dust. The reality of us all being gone from this earth is before us. We have the opportunity to examine our love for God and love for our neighbor, especially our own families and all in our pathways of life to prepare us for heaven.
 
As we dream of holy week and all the glories of the Easter Triduum fortitude manifests in our souls.
 
I am still currently caring for my husband with his open wound and daily wound dressing changes. His day-by-day healing has touched my heart. Witnessing the body healing through intricate care is so remarkable. The same care for our souls is necessary to find the peace Christ came to give to us.
 
The parallel of our spiritual lives in the aspect of healing deep wounds is striking to pray with. To go deep we must find in prayer a way to forgive and be forgiven. We need to be with God to heal from the inside out, to be made anew and bring forth greater life for those around us. There is freedom in the Cross, the pain, the suffering, the fortitude it takes to trust in God's intense love found in faith.
 
Our Lady, our blessed example of beholding Jesus, comforts us at every Liturgy, with us in our reception of the Eucharist, our mother, the one to help wash away our offenses.

Psalm 51:12-19

"A clean heart create for me, God;renew within me a steadfast spirit.
Do not drive me from before your face,
nor take from me your holy spirit.
Restore to me the gladness of your salvation;
uphold me with a willing spirit.
will teach the wicked your ways,
that sinners may return to you.
Rescue me from violent bloodshed, God, my saving God,
and my tongue will sing joyfully of your justice.
Lord, you will open my lips;
and my mouth will proclaim your praise.
For you do not desire sacrifice* or I would give it;
a burnt offering you would not accept.
My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit;
a contrite, humbled heart, O God, you will not scorn."

Laura Catherine Worhacz

Laura Catherine Worhacz is a Lay Associate of the Blessed Sacrament and author of Consecration to Jesus Through Our Lady of The Blessed Sacrament. She is also the director of Mothers of The Blessed Sacrament. She lives in Trinity, FL, with her husband and their two daughters.