Wonder Woman and the Eucharist
(Guest Column from our Seminarian Peter Scheck)
I’ve got a confession to make. Ever since the movie “Wonder Woman” came out in 2017, I’ve had a huge crush on Gal Gadot, the actress who plays the main character of the film. I think she’s beautiful. If you asked like, 90% of seminarians who they would want to marry if they discerned out of the seminary, they would say Gal Gadot, and if you told me that Gal Gadot would be in Gallup next week, I would figure out how to finagle my way out of whatever I was supposed to be doing so that I could go see her. Did I mention she’s beautiful?
So what if I told you that Jesus was going to be in town next week? You know, Jesus – second Person of the Trinity, Son of Mary, Savior of the world – that guy. Long hair, beard. Loves you a lot. What if you could get a private audience with Him at the Cathedral from Wednesday, June 26th to Friday the 28th?
We make tons of excuses as to why we don’t go to Adoration more often – I know which ones I use. The thing is, we would never use those excuses to get out of spending time with someone we were in love with. “You’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen, but the Broncos are playing, and I’d rather watch them lose than go on a date with you.” “I’ve had a crush on you since I was five, but I’m trying to get more wins on Fortnite, so…” “Oh my gosh, I’m so flattered that you asked me out, but I’m trying out these new filters on my Instagram, so no thanks.” No one who truly knows that they’re loved hides behind excuses like that, because that kind of knowledge is totally transforming. Jesus actually calls that knowledge eternal life: “And this is eternal life, that they know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3) Jesus doesn’t mean know the way that I know I’ll probably never meet Gal Gadot. He means know the way that Adam knew Eve and she got pregnant. That kind of knowing is exclusive to lovers – lovers who can put themselves out there, drop the shields (and filters), and just be. People always ask what they’re supposed to do in Adoration. If it was about doing, the Church would say that Christ is totally doing in the Blessed Sacrament, but we don’t talk about Jesus in that way. We say that He is totally Present. Jesus is totally free to just be Himself with us because He’s so in love with us. Am I that free with Him? Not really. I feel like I need to fill the silence, because when I’m quiet, I’m exposed. I’m afraid that He’ll see me as I am, and that’s terrifying. And it should be; Fear of the Lord is one of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. But so is Wonder. We need to let ourselves experience the excitement of realizing that the Maker of the Universe has an enormous, child-like crush on us. St. Mother Teresa said, “When you look at the Crucifix, you understand how much Jesus loved you. When you look at the Sacred Host you understand how much Jesus loves you now.”
40 Hours is coming up. If you haven’t participated in the past, or don’t really have the habit of going to Adoration at all, think about going. If you’re already planning on it, think about adding an extra half hour or hour. Don’t worry about what you’re supposed to say. It’s a date with the God Who’s been in love with you since literally forever.
I dare you to fall in love with Him!
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