My Search for Communion

(Over the course of 2 months living in Switzerland, I have attended Mass in 4 different languages. Here are some thoughts thus far…)

What does it mean to be in communion with others?

What does it mean to be in communion with myself?

What does it mean to be in communion with God?

Easter Sunday Mass at St. Mary of the Angels Church in Lake Lugano, Switzerland — Easter Sunday Mass in Italian at St. Mary of the Angels Church in Lake Lugano, Switzerland

The search for these answers drives my thoughts. The search for these answers drives my actions. The search for these answers drives my soul.

And with every attempt to satisfy my desire for communion, I find myself back in the pews of church. I find myself back in a community with those who speak a different language than me yet have the same language of desire.

Over the last month or so, I have heard our common language of desire spoken in Italian, and during the Easter season, I have heard it spoken in French and German. Although I continue to mourn the loss of an English-speaking community outside of the pews, my soul finds peace within the pews, no matter what language is spoken.

The languages used to attempt to communicate what I seek most are answered in the presence of the One who is broken and freely given into my human hands.

Hoy Trinity Church in Bern, Switzerland where both French and German are spoken. — Holy Trinity Church in Bern, Switzerland where both French and German are spoken.

Who is this God who continues to pursue me most intimately? Who is this God who wants to be in communion with me, so much so that He is willing to invite me to His glorious wedding feast every week (day)?

My soul stirs to be in communion, and my body aches to be fed. And yet, the communion I so desperately seek is found when I am open to receiving Him.

For His language preceded our languages. And His language is universal.

His language is Love.