Theology on Tap Reflections

The Archdiocese of Chicago's Office of Young Adult Ministry launched TapTalk this summer - a blog dedicated to reflections on Theology-on-Tap presentations and topics. Occasionally I'll read through and comment on some of the reflection questions, and I decided to share some of those thoughts here too.

Being a Christian...
"Being a Christian impacts my daily life in a lot of ways. Being Christian has given me the ability to identify my own gifts, give thanks for them, and search for the ways to use them in a way that is pleasing to God. It also affects my attitude towards people – a greater patience, an ability to let go, and understanding of differences, kindness, generosity, and simple living are all characteristics I seek to embody that have a basis in my Christian Catholic faith."

Living the Gospel...
"Living the Gospel means living as Jesus lived. As we seek to understand his ministry, we come to learn how his ministry relates to our lives and the ways we are called to live and to love. Living the Gospel means being aware and taking action – for social justice, for our own spiritual development, for love, etc. It means accepting and owning our fears but working with Christ to surrender the fears so we can do what God the Father is calling us to."

The Catholic Mass...
"I have come to really enjoy and appreciate Mass. Having experienced Mass in many different cities across the world, it is always a peaceful homecoming to realize that no matter the language or tradition, the core of the Mass, the Eucharist, never changes. The Liturgy of the Eucharist, in action, is constant. It is a reminder that we belong to this community, a reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice for us, and a reminder of the years and richness of our Catholic heritage and tradition. While I’ve come to enjoy the readings and homilies more over the years, as I’ve learned to try and listen better, on the days when I just can’t concentrate or don’t get anything out of the readings, I always know the Eucharist will make sense."

Meaning of the Eucharist...
"The other question the Eucharist being about a community meal versus Christ’s sacrifice hit me in particular this year. At this year’s Holy Thursday service, I felt for the first time a strong sense of the sacrifice of Christ above and beyond the meal. I have continued to reflect on that sacrifice and praying that I may be made worthy of the sacrifice and that I may act in such a way that his sacrifice for me and others would not be in vain."

Relationship with Jesus...
"I don’t know when Jesus was first introduced to me or how he was described (though I imagine it was probably in Kindergarten or Sunday School when I was little). However, the first time I remember ever picturing Jesus on my own was in 4th grade during Catholic Schools Week. We had an in-school “Retreat” day and I remember one of the “Sessions” involved lying on the floor in a darkened classroom with our eyes closed. Soft music was playing (or ocean sounds) and someone did a guided meditation on the “Footprints” poem. It was the first time Jesus has seemed like a real FRIEND walking side-by-side with me. That image and notion of Jesus has stayed with me ever since then, and that’s how I describe my relationship with him to others. Jesus is a friend and confidant who listens, understands, sympathizes, challenges when necessary, supports, and guides. He’s a constant source of strength and support and encouragement, even when things look really low. When God seems far away, Jesus is always there. That’s why the Eucharist also means so much to me. It’s a concrete and regular example of that friendship and that constant presence in my life."