Broken Body

He broke it and said, “This is my body which is for you.”  – I Corinthians 11:24

She wasn’t Catholic in the least, my mother, but attending her own Presbyterian church was becoming problematic. When Dad was living, he kept an eye on Mom from up in the choir loft as she sat there in the fourth pew.

Now without Dad, Mom was increasingly restless at church even with familiar people nearby and an aide in tow. When she refused to get into the car after church one Sunday, requiring deacon involvement, I knew a change was necessary.

If Mom had realized that I was bringing her to a Catholic church, her mind would have been clouded by preconceived prejudices. But Alzheimer’s filtered out these biases as I led Mom into mass the following Sunday. She sat obediently beside me in the last pew.

As the organ played and the faithful stood to reverently make their way up front for Holy Communion, Mom was captivated. Sensing the deeply spiritual moment, she gazed upon those in line, and whispered, “Beautiful.”

The rhythmic words of the priest floated through the church, reaching us in the last row. “The body of Christ. The body of Christ. The body of Christ. The body of Christ.” The beauty, truth, and goodness of the moment penetrated through disease and reached Mom’s soul.

Thank you, Jesus, that within our brokenness you give us the miracle of Your broken body in Holy Communion.

Reflect: Has your loved one been to church recently?  Have you?

The above selection is Entry #29 in Part III: Eternal Spring of Minding Mom: A Caregiver’s Devotional Story by Lisa Livezey (© 2024, En Route Books and Media)

Minding Mom: A Caregiver’s Devotional Story by Lisa Livezey | En Route Books and Media