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Have you ever noticed how earthy the celebration of the Eucharist is? Despite all the "mystery" that surrounds the sacrament, it still remains rooted in the very natural, everyday substances of our lives. For example, the basic elements of Communion are nothing more than wheat and grapes reduced to flour, water, and sugar. The ingredients are so very simple, yet when transformed by the Spirit, they become life-giving and powerful.
Think, too, about the way we celebrate the Mass. For all the ways we are encouraged to sharpen our spiritual senses and focus on heaven, our physical senses are constantly being engaged just as much. We sit, kneel, and stand. We sing, pray out loud, and embrace one another. With our eyes, we gaze upon the host and drink in everything that takes place on the altar. With our ears, we listen to God’s word in the scriptural readings. We smell the incense and taste the body and blood of Christ. Even our sense of touch is vital as we reach out to our brothers and sisters around us, offering them a physical sign of the peace and warmth of God’s love. All these elements work together to make the Mass a celebration that involves our whole person—spirit, soul, and…
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