The Greatest Treasure

Details: 16 September 2011

I know a couple named ‘Clem’ and ‘Norma’ who in the past regularly purchased weekly lottery tickets. The numbers chosen were a compilation of their children’s ages. Each week they would take turns buying tickets, and together as they watched the evening news they eagerly waited for the end of the telecast as the news anchor announced the winning numbers. Even though the odds they would ever win were astronomical, they figured, "somebody has to win…"

Then one evening the unheard-of happened. The anchor announced their numbers. They were more than shocked, they were outright flabbergasted. They then knew what it was like to win the lottery. What a feeling! It was worth millions! Then the celebration began. I imagine their minds were reeling. ‘What will we do with the money? Then old Clem said to Norma, "Well Norma, where’s the ticket?" In a worried tone Norma responded, "Cut it out Clem! Don’t you have it? It was your turn to buy it!" Then Clem retorted, "No it wasn’t, it was your turn!" They suddenly realized there would be no jackpot in their lives. Easy come and easy go. It was something they joked about later in life.

Imagine the many people who dream of winning the lottery not realizing the greatest treasure lies right in front of their fingertips. This greatest treasure is not silver, gold or any other perishable thing (1 Pet 1:18) but God Himself who dwells among us (Jn 1:14). Not only does God dwell among us spiritually but corporally or physically in the Blessed Sacrament. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says, that the Eucharist is "the source and summit of the Christian life …for in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Pasch" (CCC 1324).

Since the Blessed Sacrament is really Jesus Christ, not only are we encouraged to receive Him in this most august sacrament more than once a week if possible we are also encouraged to make time during our busy schedules to adore Him in our parish churches. In the Roman Ritual entitled, "Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist Outside Mass" it says, "The faithful should make every effort to worship Christ the Lord in the sacrament, depending upon the circumstances of their own life. Pastors should encourage them in this by example and word" (#80). This is what St. Ignatius of Antioch called, "the medicine of immortality" for when we regularly consume the Eucharist worthily we will be raised on the last day and live forever (Jn 6:53-58).

So far, Catholic Social Services has four chapels with the Blessed Sacrament which are open for not only our staff and volunteers but clients who come to us in need. Numerous clients have walked into our chapels off the street and have experienced the peace only God can give.

Recently we had exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in one of these chapels for the first time with a one hundred year old monstrance. It is my prayer that with volunteers, we can expand the times for Exposition. Please continue to pray for us during your time with Jesus in the Sacrament of the Altar as we pray for you!

Whatever happened to Clem and Norma? Fortunately, they were devoted to the Greatest Treasure and both died holy deaths. I am confident I will see them again!