There is an old story with many variations that is told about a young novice who met with his novice master. The novice was filled with his ideas, insights and opinions. He began to tell the novice master all that he had learned and a list of suggestions for how to make life better.
The novice master interrupted the novice’s verbal resume of “I know that, I feel that and I think that …” and asked him if he would like some tea. The novice, without pausing in his flow of words just nodded his head. The novice master filled the novice’s cup and kept on pouring. The novice saw the tea spilling on to the table and cried out, “The cup is full! No more will go in!”
Father Charles Lachowitzer
The novice master stopped pouring, smiled and said, “So it is with you. You are too full of what you know, feel and think. No one can teach you anything more.”
It is a common spiritual phrase that we “empty ourselves.” Mind and heart are in the soul and when emptied of life’s preoccupations, the soul is filled with the very presence of God. In the proverbial question as to whether the glass is half empty or half full, the spiritual question is simply: “Is the glass fillable?” If it is, an empty cup is no longer a state of diminished supply, but the increased capacity to be filled.
Through prayer, the mind and heart are emptied of idle thoughts and anxious worry, though distractions can be persistent. Through the sacrament of reconciliation, the mind and heart are emptied of sorrow and the ache of sin.
Each and every Sunday is an Easter Sunday. Easter is at the core of our faith, the true vision of hope and the fulfillment of love. When we come to Mass, it is good for us to “give up for Easter” any preoccupations and expectations we may have.
The emptier our glass when we go to Mass, the more we are filled with the person and presence of the Risen Christ.
Even if we want to go to Mass to offer hearts filled with gratitude, we must first empty them of anything else. We imitate Jesus Christ when we sacrifice our very selves and let go of all life’s details, all cares and concerns, all that we know, feel and think.
Whether the music is like fingernails on glass or inspirational, give it up for Easter. Music is not the sole desire of the soul. Music that stirs the heart is great. No matter if it doesn’t. Whether the homily circles like backed-up planes waiting to land or we want to applaud (please don’t), give it up for Easter. Great if we are inspired. No matter if we are not. When we look around at the other people at Mass, whether they are in a role or in a pew, and we are tempted to judge, give it up for Easter. Great if we see friends. No matter if we only see people trying frantically to silence their cell phones. And if we come to Mass filled with whatever our opinions are about the Catholic Church, whether locally or globally, give it up for Easter. The Mystical Body of Christ is bigger than all those who lead it and all those who belong to it.
When we go to Mass, give it all up for Easter. All thoughts about everything inside and outside the doors of the church. If we want to deepen our understanding of the person and real presence of Jesus Christ in the Most Holy Eucharist, then we must be a vessel empty of all that is “me.” It is a self-sacrifice so that we may be filled with the joy of the Gospel and the Sacrament of perfect love.
Like the Blessed Virgin Mary who said “yes” without understanding the mystery of God’s favor, we empty ourselves of what we know, feel and think in order to receive far more than we could ever desire and far more than we will ever realize.
After all, when we give it up for Easter, God will not be out given. Only into an empty cup can God pour in the more that we need.
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