THESE past weeks have been anxious times for me as I prepare to finish my term of 12 years as pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. There are times when I wake up in the middle of the night thinking about my departure–how I would miss the people I’ve served for many years. After all, I’ve given all that I could to this parish and to parishioners who have become a significant part of my life.
I will miss the children, the families, and all people that come to Mass and to other parish events. I will miss working with staff and volunteers despite the many challenges we faced as we rebuilt and renewed the parish community and the church. Most of all, I will miss the Sunday Masses, our weekly gatherings when we come together at one table to share the Eucharist together.
Indeed, something miraculous happens whenever we gather to celebrate the Eucharist together: not just the transformation of the bread and wine to become the Body and Blood of Christ, but also the change that happens within us and among us. We become one body, united in mind and heart despite our differences. It’s the Eucharist that unites us, that makes us aware of the other person as a brother and as sister. It’s the Eucharist that reminds us to sow love, not hatred, to forgive, not to divide, to bring peace to others, not turmoil in their hearts, and to serve without any selfish motive.
And so, I would always look forward to every Sunday Mass because I know that I would feel this deep bond with all the people I serve. I would even anticipate the extended gatherings in the patio or in the parking lot, as we would continue our fellowship of food and drinks and exchange of stories, experiences, and pleasantries.
The words of the St. Paul to the Corinthians in the Second Reading Sunday are appropriate to this experience of oneness: “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because the loaf of bread is one, we though many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf.”
Jesus in the Eucharist is the one that unites us, who continually gives himself to us. He’s the one who brings love and joy in our hearts and who urges us to help those in need and to share our time, talents, and treasures with our Church.
As we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ this Sunday, a feast we call Corpus Christi, let us be mindful of this dynamic experience every time we come together to celebrate the Eucharist. Christ becomes one with us and we become united with one another as brothers and sisters.
Perhaps, this is the reason why I am becoming too anxious to leave. I will miss a family that have nourished me with love and care and have become a great part of my life, of my journey as a Christian and as priest!
Somewhere in another church or chapel, however, when I celebrate Mass in the future, I know that I would carry all people that served in my heart. Every Eucharistic celebration would unite us in prayer and in love despite our physical separation.
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Reverend Rodel G. Balagtas attended St. John Seminary in Camarillo, California and earned his Doctor of Ministry in Preaching from Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, Missouri. For twenty years, he has been in the parish ministry of large multi-cultural communities. Since 2002, he has been the pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Los Angeles. Please email Fr. Rodel at [email protected].