Today has been quite a day.  I had testing at University of Michigan Hospital.  As part of my testing, I had to be NPO for 12 hours, then have a blood draw.  Okay.  Well, I can’t start my NPO period after Mass, because then I would have to have my blood draw after 7 pm, and they are closed.  So….  I had to *not* receive the Eucharist at Mass, so that I would be properly NPO from dinner until my blood draw the next morning.

I don’t know about you guys, but going up and *not* receiving the Eucharist was one of the scariest things to me.  I did go up for a blessing.  Walking back, my heart began pounding, and I just wanted to run back into line.  Am I silly?  Or do you guys do this too?

Happily, since I felt that that was the scariest thing I could face — I was not worried about the rest of the day.  There was sickness, pain, and that all-too-often-present feeling that you are going to pass out, but it was a good day (from an end-of-the-day perspective).

How cool is *this*?!?:

Tonight, when I got home, as I was eating my Kashi (yeah, I know — dinner of champs, right?), I was grabbing at the closest printed material to me, since I can’t eat a meal without reading something unless I have company (Thanks, Mom!).  I found this prayer, and it was just perfect!

Act of Spiritual Communion
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.  I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul.  Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart.  I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You.  Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.