I anticipate the day when my hour comes, to spend time with Jesus present in the Holy Eucharist. I start packing my baggage the day before, making sure I pack up all my concerns, requests, needs and wants, fears and worries, and get ready for departure.

I check in and write down my request for a special favor. There’s no waiting because I already have a ticket to journey with Him, we all do. Jesus Himself paid for my ticket with His death and resurrection and He confirms my reservation every time I pray to Him.

Time to depart. I check my heavy baggage and prepare to bring my carry on (my bible, my rosary and myself). There is no screening to enter His presence…God welcomes everyone and anyone who wants to journey through life with Him. And on this short one hour trip… I have a window seat in the presence of God.

As the journey begins, I enter His presence and begin to unpack all those problems, concerns and worries I brought along. All that heavy baggage. He helps me sort out all those things I need, from all those things I really don’t, so I can concentrate on the journey and refresh my soul.

As I settle in and look out at the Eucharist I feel comforted. My weekly summer vacation trip with Jesus has begun; and I am beginning to finally relax, to feel at peace, to leave all that baggage I didn’t need, far behind.

As I close my eyes and gaze out of myself into God’s heart I can see His unbounded love, of me…with all my inadequacies and weakness. As I relax in His presence and trust in Him on this journey I look out of myself and can see the beauty of the endless expanse of His love of the world, His incredible patience and boundless forgiveness.

The journey only takes an hour, but in that time I have been comforted and refreshed. My hope is renewed that I will be ok; that things will be all right when my journey (my hour) has ended and I return home. Somehow my bags are now lighter, but when I arrive home and unpack, I still have all I need.

I’m really glad I’m a frequent flier and I wish everyone could take advantage of this wonderful vacation opportunity to take a one hour journey with God in His Eucharistic presence.

Andy C. 06/29/04