Being a Type of Monstrance

I was in high school at a Steubenville Youth Conference in Ohio. It came time for some Saturday night Eucharistic Adoration. In other words, Jesus, the Eucharist, the Host, the Body and Blood of Christ was exposed for the hundreds of youths gathered to see Him.

What did He look like? A little white circular, almost flat substance that was held and surrounded by this gold thing. There was a spotlight on the flat substance (the Host). And it shone like the sun, with the golden thing as the rays of the sun.

Introducing the Monstrance

This is Jesus, exposed for all to see, carried by a monstrance. The monstrance is what often looks like a golden thing that surrounds Jesus with brilliant light and pure gold. The monstrance does not just float. It is supported by what may look like a lamp stand or a table leg. By grabbing the “neck” of the monstrance, the priest or deacon is able to carry it.

Anyway, we were in Eucharistic Adoration, and Jesus had never felt so tangible and near. The Holy Spirit was clearly at work, touching and filling me and the attendants in different ways. I had a sort of holy fear because God had granted me the knowledge that this is Him. Jesus!

He did not look like a man or what one would expect God to look like, but God graciously allows us to look upon the very flesh of His Son, Jesus.

Those at the conference were ecstatic. Singing praises at the top of their lungs. Using the gifts of the Spirit. Bowing down in worship. Crying out in belief. Tears fell because they realized Jesus loved and forgave them. Even sobs, as Jesus healed the hurt of abuse or loneliness in their lives. Lives were changed that night. I heard so many people’s testimonies. Hearts were converted or pulled into deeper conversion. For me, seeing Jesus that night increased my belief. After all, Jesus was seated on His throne—the monstrance—and was carried about through the crowds for all to see and worship Him. At the conference, Jesus did not remain on the altar, but a priest and servers processed the whole gathering, so each person could be close to the Eucharistic Jesus. I felt like I was in the time of Jesus, a part of the crowds, watching Jesus pass by!

If only every day felt like that night at the conference…

The Tabernacle

The good thing is that Jesus is always present in our churches, so, in actuality, every night can be like that night at the conference. I may not be screaming and crying or going through some emotional Holy Spirit roller coaster, but I know that Jesus is there. The Tabernacle is a wondrous home for Jesus, which usually is some sort of golden box-like object. Many churches are open throughout the day, so people can come in and visit the Tabernacle. The Tabernacle holds God like how the Tabernacle in the Old Testament held the presence of God. I, for, one like visiting the Tabernacle because our dearest Jesus dwells within.

Another Dwelling Place

But the golden box that is the Tabernacle is not the only dwelling place of Jesus. In a sense, all Catholics are a tabernacle, as we receive Jesus in Holy Communion. Jesus enters us. We consume Him. It is very hard to grasp and something to meditate on, and seeing ourselves as little tabernacles is one way to meditate on this awesome mystery of Jesus dwelling within us.

As tabernacles, we have a fully enclosed Jesus in us. He does so much inside us! He fills us with blessings, healing, and love. He touches our hearts. He is our companion, closer than our breath and tangible as actual food!

Being a Monstrance

I had the strangest—but what I think is interesting—meditation.

What if I was a monstrance—a monstrance, with Jesus inside it, who was inside of me? So, I imagined that golden monstrance inside of me with the host as Jesus in the center of that monstrance.

I smiled. Thankful that the Lord was in me, so close! But instead of Jesus remaining in me like a tabernacle, in which a door is sealed, closing Jesus within, what if I was the monstrance? It is the same Jesus who was at the conference passing among the crowds. What if I took the form of a monstrance? I think it is something really tremendous to meditate on. It was the same Jesus healing people, giving them faith, hope, and love! It was the same Jesus who worked as a carpenter and fed thousands. The same God who died for my sake.

Duties as a Monstrance

If we are each a monstrance, then we have some duties. We cannot close the door the way we would a tabernacle. Instead, we must reveal God who dwells in us. It makes me think of the song, “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine!” He is a light that must shine for all to see (Matthew 5:16)! So, I pass by people—so many people throughout my life—and even if they do not know they are looking at a monstrance, my faith in word and action can reveal Jesus to them.

• The Throne

The monstrance is a type of throne. One that Jesus sits upon. What a gift that we get to have Jesus sit upon our thrones. If I was a type of monstrance, Jesus would be on the throne. A throne is for a king. Therefore, Jesus is king over my whole self.

• Benediction

Benediction is when the priest or deacon takes the monstrance and blesses the people gathered with the sign of the cross. Should, we, as a type of monstrance, then, also bless those we see? At benediction, we pray the “Divine Praises.” Should we not also always praise God within and outside us?

• Adoration

If Jesus is inside of us, He is the one who must be adored—not us. So, we must make sure to love ourselves and take care of ourselves, keeping our monstrance bright and clean. And the more we love, the more visible it is to see Christ dwelling in our monstrance. If we so love Jesus within us, we must also love Jesus within others. Think of all the people at Holy Mass who just received Christ in Holy Communion! They are now a monstrance too. Christ is to be adored within them—not the person he/she is, but the living Jesus! May those who were so touched at the conference, be touched by the vision of Christ in us. May those who have not experienced the wonder of the True Presence of Jesus, find Him in the monstrance; even if it is through us, who are a type of a monstrance.