Communion for Saints

“Greg, do you really need to go to Mass twice a week? Surely once is enough.” She had been hoping they would go to lunch together, but Greg had a conflict.

“It’s not just for me,” he said and stopped on the way out the door. He looked at his watch, and nodded in the direction of his office. They went back in, and Greg took off his hat and gloves as they both sat down.

“Did you ever wonder if God’s plan of salvation was fair?” Greg asked. “Here I am. I can freely practice my faith in this country. I have the time to attend mass as often as I like. I have no health problems or other impediments that prevent me from doing so.”

“And others don’t, I get that. But how does going to mass more often change that?” Lisa asked.

“We have been taught that a Communion of Saints exists. The Church Triumphant in Heaven, the Church Penitent in Purgatory and the Church Militant here on earth. We are all part of the Body of Christ, and we can, in a mysterious way help each other through prayer and sacrifice. We are all responsible for all.”

Greg continued as she listened. “What about the Christian imprisoned in a hostile land who cannot receive the sacraments?  What about the disabled or frail person who cannot get out of their house very often? Through misfortune, they appear to be  deprived of some opportunity to receive grace. And I know you don’t believe in Purgatory, but I do wonder about people still undergoing purification, and what I can do to help beyond prayer. Especially those souls whose parents did not honor their baptismal promise to raise them in the faith.”

“When I go to Mass a second time in a week, I’ve started to ask  Jesus if I can offer my communion back to him for those who cannot receive it, whether here on Earth or in purgatory. The grace goes into his Heavenly treasury to be dispensed to those most in need of it.”

He looked at his watch again, and stood up. “We can go to lunch tomorrow. I don’t know who I will be sharing my food with today, but I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”