The Eucharist - What's your motivation?


THE EUCHARIST – What’s your motivation?

Mario D’Couto

            To be honest, I was not really sure about the title I wanted to keep for this blogpost/article but I want to say that the inspiration for this blogpost/article is from a podcast by Two Catholic Dudes which I seen recently (these guys have got some amazing stuff if you want to grow in your faith as a Catholic which are available on YouTube). Many of us would have different reasons for praying but in this blogpost/article I will be writing exclusively in the context of the Holy Eucharist. As a Catholic, I believe that the Holy Eucharist is the highest form of worship because we are actually taking part in the paschal sacrifice, where Jesus comes to us in flesh and blood, so that we can share that communion with Him. I also happened to be a musician (there’s a video of me singing and playing the guitar which you will find in the blogpost/article, “Are you a traveller or a drifter?”), speaking of which when it comes to Church music, it is important to understand the reason and the purpose behind it.  


           St. Augustine said, “Singing is twice as praying” which is true because there is something about music that moves us as human beings, that stimulates and also at times, excites us. No other living being on this planet has that ability. Yet, when it comes to Church music, there are people who can either be turned – on by the music or they could be turned – off. Sometimes the music in Church is so good, that is sounds like you’re at a rock or a pop concert or sometimes, it can be sobering that people may feel like sleeping. Whatever it may be, it’s important to ask one’s self, “Why am I coming to the Eucharist? Is it because of the good music that moves me or is it because I really want to worship the Lord for Who He truly is?” I believe that our relationship with God is a reflection of our relationship with the people in our lives. I will not go too much into the details as I have written about this at great length in my previous blogposts called, “Towards a mature relationship with God” (Do check it. It’s in 4 parts). The point that I am trying to drive at is this, no matter whether the music, the singing or the sermon is boring or interesting, we are here to worship God for who He truly is and not because of some ‘feel – good’ feeling.

            On the flipside, I also think it is important that as a musician, choir member, Eucharistic minister, lector, altar server, or whatever your role may be in helping out in the Holy Eucharist, it should be done to honour God and not ourselves. There’s a lot more that can be explained in regard to this but I will leave you with the link to this podcast that brings out the point more in detail,  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3mDhoIFqTE&list=PLh8gepb0el8O38Re-jbQQZhBkHYksdtMN&index=4

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