Within Arm’s Reach — By NATHAN FRANKART

By NATHAN FRANKART

Peace of Christ to you! As an ongoing process in our renovation project at the seminary, I am currently staying at a convent nearby. The renovations and Heart of the Shepherd campaign is set to complete this December — stay tuned to hear how the new rooms for the graduate students turn out!

Until then, I get the amazing grace to pray in a very unique way. In this convent, we have converted an old sitting room into our personal chapel, with an altar and everything. This is where my class, the rest of the members of II Theology, sit together for our daily prayers and Liturgy of the Hours.

Here, we are right next to the tabernacle, literally, My seat is within arm’s reach of Jesus’ resting place. Out of all my experiences possible in the seminary, I know that this one is incredibly particular and special. Even if I am feeling tired at 6:45 a.m. or feeling distracted from all the responsibilities and tasks for the day, knowing that Christ resides a few feet away always provides consolation and solace.

How privileged am I? I think of all the people who have ever been Christian for thousands of years who, under persecution or difficult circumstances, have been denied access to the Eucharist. Here I am, practically touching the tabernacle, reflecting on how so many people would yearn to just gaze upon the Body of Christ.

There is a deep mystery here, that even looking at the tabernacle and being in its proximity fills and renews me, that there is nothing required or expected while in His presence. I just receive. So many have deeply desired to be this close, to dwell with Him. It fills me with a passion to be formed, to be changed by this privilege. It makes me think about the true purpose of the Eucharist.

We consume the Eucharist that Jesus may consume us — to be totally for Christ, invigorated by His love, and therefore become His hands, feet, and heart to the whole world. We do it for all those who do not receive the Eucharist, that they may come to know Jesus by encountering us. Hopefully in that encounter, they come to understand the beauty of the Eucharist, and desire it themselves. Fall in love with the Eucharist, that others might come to know the God humbly hidden, and within arm’s reach.