As Close as Your Breath is to You, God is to You

A post-confirmation retreat reflection

The Catholic Church describes heaven as a state of eternal bliss and perfect happiness. Catholics believe that the Mass is similar to heaven because Jesus Christ is present in the Blessed Sacrament.

It is Monday afternoon, and my heart is still overflowing from the confirmation retreat that started Friday night and ended Sunday afternoon! There was so much love and stories and support shared there at the retreat center in the Santa Cruz mountains. The love, the bliss, the happiness that I experienced and witnessed during the retreat and retreat Mass makes me think that I got a glimpse of what real heaven might feel like. I want to remember this for a long time.

This reminds about the story that singer/songwriter Steve Angrisano shares about visiting the Tomb of Jesus on his first trip to the Holy Land. His experience was so powerful that he didn't want to leave and then a priest gives him a way. 

It's better if you hear Steve tell it in his own words. Watch this video from the 2:12 mark until he starts singing (or watch the whole video) and then continue reading below.

The priest told Steve to cup his hands in front of his mouth, exhale, and feel his breath on the skin of his face. The priest said that, when you feel your breath, know that as close as your breath is to you, God is to you always no matter how far you go from here.

So, I invite you to:

• play the rest of the video to listen to Steve's song Leading Us Home
• cup your hands in front of your mouth
• exhale and feel your own breath on the skin of your face
• remember the parts of the retreat that you want to remember and especially the parts where you felt God's presence, 

And know that God is that close to you and loves you always.

--Alfred