Hunger for the Eucharist and working in the field

Today I met a man who is seeking to become Catholic... Let's call him 'mark.' I didn't speak to him for long, but I asked him what brought him from his Protestant upbringing to the Catholic faith.. He told a few stories, but mostly it was his questions and thirst for the truth. Then, when comparing the traditional parish to a typical parish he clenched his fists threw his head back and said 

"I hunger for Christ in the Eucharist. I cannot wait to receive him"

My heart fell a bit... How often do I receive the fullness of Christ and fail to recognize it? How often am I dragging myself to Mass and struggling to pay attention? And on the flip side- when I do have a powerful experience of Christ in the Eucharist, do I leave there thankful, or entitled assuming this will always happen, and then am I let down when the emotions aren't there the following Mass or Adoration?

We are given the greatest gift of all eternity. And even when we don't recognize it, Christ is always faithful. When we don't show up, he always does. But this is no excuse for laziness on our part..

This past Wednesday the gospel was about the generous boss. [see scripture passage here (Mt 20:1-16)] He hired workers at the beginning, middle, evening, and end of the day and paid them the same. The homily was a good one- especially for us cradle Catholics. Father said that yes, those of us working for all of the day have more time to do the lords work, but we also are able to see the fruit of our labor. We are able to see the hand of The Lord in our lives more, to experience the joy of his faithfulness, and be healed by his merciful love. The end goal and gift is the same- eternal life- and it is undeserving no matter how long you live or how strong your faith is or how many good works you perform. But by being there, the whole day, we are given the opportunity to work with The Lord in our lives. 

For anyone who has the work of God before them, who may get temped by the seemingly easy life those of the world have, remember the opportunity we have and the reality of the gift of the Eucharist. 

Lord help us recognize you this day. Open our eyes and hearts. Thank you for the opportunity to do your work in the world each day. You always give us the strength, grace and love through your presence in the Eucharist. Help us desire you, give us a thirst only you can quench and lead us deeper into your sacred mystery and truth.
Amen