Revolution of Love.com
Reverence to Our King of Kings
by Brian
During my lunch breaks I try to run over to a parish near my place of work to spend a few minutes visiting Jesus. On one occasion as I was getting out of my car, I witnessed a young man on his bicycle pass in front of the Church and do a most extraordinary thing. What did he do? He bowed his head slightly and made the sign of the cross. This small act of reverence that acknowledged Jesus' presence in the tabernacle led me to reflect upon the reverence, or lack of, that I show Jesus when at Mass or during a short visit.
After thinking about it for a while I came to realize how often I have allowed myself to genuflect half-heatedly or make the sign of the cross irreverently when approaching Jesus in the tabernacle. On many occasions I have seen religious as well as the laity, especially eucharistic ministers, ignore Jesus or behave around the altar or tabernacle as though the King of Kings and Lord of Lords was in some distant land or planet, not actually right before them. I have also witnessed many people enter a Church, sit right down, especially before Mass, and start chatting with their neighbor never thinking to give their King the respect and reverence He deserves.
I know from reading the lives of the saints and Church history that whenever an individual or group of people came before a King or Queen they were expected to show them great reverence and respect. If they did not they were dealt with accordingly. Even if some of these people were good friends of the King or Queen and knew them well they were still required to show them reverence. Yet how often we forget that when entering a Church or Chapel, it houses the tabernacle where the King of the Universe resides - Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. We tend to show Him so little reverence and at times barely acknowledge His existence.
As I mentioned above, when at Church I am guilty like many people for approaching Our Lord and acknowledging Him in a manner that is irreverent. One of my Easter resolutions is to change this. I will show Our Lord greater reverence and respect when going to Mass or just visiting Him on my lunch break. What I plan to do, before entering a Church, is ask myself two simple questions - "Why am I at Church?" and "Who am I here to see?" I will answer by saying, "I am here to visit, Jesus my King!"
I wish you and your loved ones a very blessed and holy Easter season!