Contrariwise

Catholic Carnival 123 has been up at Deo Omnis Gloria for days, but I only got around to visiting it tonight.

I enjoyed “Widor a la Borge” at Christus Vincit, which includes a video where two organists take turns playing one piece on a single organ. It’s hard to explain, but pretty cool to watch.

Catholic Fire offers “A Taste of Heaven on Earth Awaits You,” reflections on the Eucharist for Corpus Christi. Jean includes another YouTube video, but this one is about the Eucharist, of course. It’s done by Jeff of Scripture Catholic. His theme is that as Catholics, we don’t have to imagine what it will be like to meet Jesus face to face. We get to do it all the time! In the Mass, we get to eat him, but even in Eucharistic adoration, we can gaze upon his face in worship, no imagination required.

I’m pretty sure none of the members of MercyMe (whose song “I Can Only Imagine” is the soundtrack for the video) are Catholic, but they need to be. One morning, as I was brushing my hair, “Here With Me” came on the radio. For the first (and to date, only) time, I started singing along and started to cry. The lyrics touched me in a way they never had before. I didn’t have to imagine having Jesus here with me; I got to do it that very day at daily Mass.

I long for your embrace
Every single day
To meet you in this place
And see you face to face
[...]

And I can feel your presence here with me
Suddenly I’m lost within your beauty
Caught up in the wonder of your touch
Here in this moment I surrender to your love

Thank you, Lord, for being truly present to us.