One of the biggest highlights of my First Profession was the realization of an important prayer, “draw all things into one in You, Lord.” To me, this prayer is like a snapshot of the ultimate journey of our lives, with all its sorrows and all its joys. The journey of every part of us being transformed into Him and so becoming on in Him, to the glory of God the Father.
As I watched Bishop Baker process down the isle led by the Cross bearer, and saw my parents and siblings, relatives and close friends sitting in the front pews, and knowing all of my sisters were right behind me, I got to watch Him draw us all into one in Him. Everyone I loved, who have helped form me to be the person I am, was there to celebrate with me as I became more totally His. Throughout the whole liturgy, this was on the forefront of my mind, filling me with gratitude and awe at His Goodness.
Directly across from me sat a wonderful priest and father figure – this man knew my vocation before I did. In the homily, he said something that expanded this prayer, “draw all things into one in You, Lord.” He said, “sister’s sacrifice is also our sacrifice. As she gives herself to her Eucharistic Lord, we are giving her to Him as well.” He noted that for everyone I love, this offering, my vocation, it costs. That as I am given to Him, each person is giving a part of themselves as members of the Body of Christ. Everyone that I love, my sisters, parents, family, and friends were participating in a particular way, processing up Calvary. And in the Liturgy of the Eucharist, as the Eucharistic Son of Man was lifted up on the altar, so was our sacrifice, and we were all drawn into one in Him. And our sacrifice became the wedding feast of the Lamb, already but not yet.
