From dust unto dust

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us (Hebrews 12:1)

Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” 51 He then added, “Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’ the Son of Man.” (John 1:49-51)

This past Sunday Jeff and I attended our parishes 10:00am Mass. We are usually 4pm or 8am Mass goers so this particular time frame was different. As we were sitting in our pew, my gaze was drawn the light that was streaming down in rays from the parapet windows we have in the ceiling. More specifically, my eye was drawn to dust. I have been accused of being a clean freak so this will not shock many who read this. My first thought was very holy of course, “I wonder when, if ever, they last vacuumed these pew cushions.” Each time we sat down or stood up I was entertained anew with clouds of dust swirling among the rays of sunshine. My next thought was slightly holier, “I should bring my vacuum and vacuum these cushions.” I quickly quenched that thought as I surveyed the number of pews and calculated the hours of labor this would entail. My third thought? “Boy, I’m impressed my asthmatic lungs don’t react to all this, but maybe this explains some of the coughing.” As we entered into the liturgy of the Eucharist another aspect of this dust captured my attention. At first glance it appeared that all the particulate matter was traveling upward, which would appear to defy the laws of gravity. What goes up must also come down. Upon closer attention, I did indeed witness that the particulates were traveling both directions. God can work all things for the good. He took my distraction and gave me (finally!) a worthy reflection. The Mass is the meeting of Heaven and Earth. It is known as the lifting of the veil and we are told that if we were given supernatural vision we would see that the hosts of heaven surround us at every Mass. The ascending and descending cloud of dust suddenly represented for me a physical representation of a spiritual reality. Imagine if each of those particles were an angel or Saint coming to rejoice in the Lord Jesus present to us in the Eucharist! I then had the realization that while the dust was only visible in the light, it was in fact floating everywhere in our church, not just where the rays of light illuminated. What a beautiful lesson, especially at communion! Just because we don’t perceive the presence of something doesn’t negate the truth of it’s true presence. Please enjoy this short seven minute video which conveys this very idea in a much more beautiful way than dust!