Without Reserve or Condition

A quote from Catherine McAuley;

Oh my God-to be thine-without reserve or condition!

Today is the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ-Corpus Christi-a day to reflect on what it means to give oneself to God for God's purposes! Catherine had a sure sense of what it was to give herself to God, unreservedly and she asks the same for us today. What does that mean for us today?

For me to look at what it means for today, I need to look back in my life and see what that meant so many years ago when I, as a child, first gave myself to God.
I was in kindergarten when I learned about First Communion and the fact that I was too young to receive, even though I knew all the catechism answers and had a desire to do so. When I did receive in second grade it was a holy moment for me-a moment of giving my life to God in a way that only a child can. As I grew up, i learned a lot more about what that means and the responsibility it entails in giving in service to others if one's heart is for God. It also meant to be more sensitive to how my words and actions affected others. Sometimes I would fail at that and have to be chastised, but the lesson was taught and I kept on trying. What that meant as I approached adulthood was a self giving of my life in a deeper way and finally as a vowed religious. I still have moments when I backslide and moments when I question or rebel and want to take it all back, but I don't. My life of self-giving has been richer and more complete when in service to others.

And what better way to renew that commitment, but in the Eucharist when again I have the model for the giving..."this is my body...this is my blood..."
It renews me to go forth and continue the giving knowing there is a whole community out there supporting me and doing the same.

And what about you?

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