Beware Yon Dragons

A regular running monologue of opinions and ideas from a "country priest".

This blog represents the personal opinions of Fr. Chori Jonathin Seraiah, and is not necessarily representative of the position of St. George Catholic Church, in Republic, Missouri, the Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter, Bishop Steven Lopes, or the Catholic Church as a whole.

It Happened During Mass

Sept. 28, 2026

You may have read about the priest who had a tearful moment during Mass right at the point of consecration of the Blessed Sacrament (there is also a video of it). You can see what happened, and also read his own description of it; I will not repeat that here. I will say this: I am glad I have never had that happen to me. No, I am not saying I do not want to be moved by God. My point is that he was overcome to the point (his words) where he was concerned he might drop the Sacrament; that is scary for a priest.

I will say that I have been moved at various times during Mass, and often during the consecration while I am holding Jesus in my hands (wow! that is strange to write!). It has never been that overwhelming for me, though, as it was for that priest. Some of you may remember when I told about how I saw the miraculous apparition of the particle of the Blessed Sacrament that was placed back on the altar for me (I believe by my guardian angel). Yet, it is not those miraculous things that I want to focus on now.

I want us all to think about what it means to be moved during the Mass. Everyone can get distracted during Mass, and we all know how that prevents us from participating fully in what God is doing in the chancel. Yet, if we are never moved during the Mass, then we have to ask ourselves if we are doing something to block that. If we realize the miracle that is taking place, then we will also know that there will be some emotion that grabs us at times. We do not need to break down in tears, because different people respond to emotion in different ways.

God does, however, touch our hearts at various times in our lives, and that means we can expect Him to touch us during the Mass. If He has not done that (or, better to say, "if you have not noticed Him doing it"!), you may need to examine your heart to see if it is becoming a bit callous. Callous hearts are a serious issue, and the Scriptures warn us about them often. If we become cold to the things of God, then we are in grave danger. It means that God is speaking to us, and we are missing it.

So, please, do not go out and seek an emotional experience, just for the sake of the emotion. Seek a loving connection with God. Seek to know Him, and to feel His love. Seek the great blessing of loving Him in heart, soul, mind and body; so that when you love Him in heart, your heart will be moved. And if that happens during the consecration of the Sacrament, or during your communion of the very Body and Blood of Jesus, then you are all the more blessed!

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