"We too can enter into the wounds of Jesus, we can actually touch him. This happens every time that we receive the sacraments with faith."
So, please, don't go to "church", go to Mass (the celebration of Jesus as the Eucharist). THAT'S what we Catholics believe in, THE EURCHARIST (which is Jesus Christ Himself). THAT is our Faith!
Thank you, Jacki, for that beautiful expression of faith.
Cherry, like you, many of us have gone through periods in our life when we found a thousand reasons to absent ourselves from attending mass. The person who suffers, though, is Jesus Christ, who waits for you each week, in the Tabernacle.
Leading up to today's feast of the Divine Mercy, our Lord asked that a novena be said, beginning on Good Friday. He gave St. Faustina an intention to pray for on each day of the Novena, saving for the last day the most difficult intention of all, the lukewarm and indifferent of whom He said:
"These souls cause Me more suffering than any others; it was from such souls that My soul felt the most revulsion in the Garden of Olives. It was on their account that I said: 'My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass Me by.' The last hope of salvation for them is to flee to My Mercy."
I happened to turn on EWTN again, this evening, and they are replaying the Solemn Mass from the Lateran Basilica with Pope Francis. Following communion, the choir sang Anima Christi The strains of this magnificent hymn filled the church as the congregation remained in silent prayer.
As Jackibutterfly said: THAT is our Faith! God bless you both.