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The Monstrance and the Sanctuary Light

August 24, 2011 by Pat Gohn

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Adoration is the first act of the virtue of religion. To adore God is to acknowledge him as God, as the Creator and Savior, the Lord and Master of everything that exists, as infinite and merciful Love. "You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve," says Jesus, citing Deuteronomy. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, par. 2096)

I regularly visit the adoration chapel in my parish church, where one's immediate focus becomes the exposed presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.

Week after week I see the sacred vessel that contains Christ in the Host, and the flickering flame of the sanctuary candle's light. Made by human hands, these golden vessels give silent witness to Who is present. Wordless, they "speak" to me, challenging me to be a witness to Christ.

I offer these two short reflective poems for your consideration.

Sanctuary Lamp
I stand here straight and tall,
a silent gentle flicker.
A reminder:
"The light is on, come on in."
Someone is home.

I illuminate the way
but I am not the Way.
I point to the One who made me.
He is here in this place,
in this moment.

I only hope to be a light
in His Presence which is
All Light, All Holiness;
to be aflame in this sanctuary
burning until I am consumed.

Monstrance
Look straight to my center.
Hidden treasure awaits you;
so do not distract your gaze.
I may be golden, ornate, and bejeweled-
not for my own beauty,
but to show Beauty.

Let me catch your eye
that you might see something more.
I am elevated that you might
see the Eye of Him who beholds you now.
He is my center -- my reason to be.
My form is but a delicate embrace
to bear this Treasure within.

Look straight to my center.
Be drawn in.
Be with the Holy Presence.
Be.
And then, become.
Become one who beholds True Beauty.
Become one who bears this Treasure within.

8/24/2011 4:00:00 AM

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About Pat Gohn

Pat Gohn is a Catholic writer, speaker, and the host of the Among Women Podcast and blog. Her book Blessed, Beautiful and Bodacious: Celebrating the Gift of Catholic Womanhood is published by Ave Maria Press.

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