Cupcake Faith

When I was a little girl I remember eating only the frosting off of a cupcake. I thought that was the best part and really didn't care about the cake part. That was all well and good for my sweet tooth, but it didn't really fill me up.
The same could be said for the spiritual life; we often look for the sweet frosting of consolation. Consolations are wonderful when God gives them, but that feeling doesn't last. The saints as well as any spiritual director worth his or her salt will tell you not to rely and base your faith on feelings. We need to be emptied so that we can be filled with God's presence. This is what happens to us and for us in the Eucharist. Jesus makes Himself present on the altar through His ministerial priests, and we are invited to approach Him, receive Him and be filled with Him in Holy Communion.
I found the following reflection over at My Daily Eucharist. It speaks to this emptiness that we long to fill and what we should desire in filling it. Just like my childhood cupcake~faith isn't just about the frosting.

No one is on a constant spiritual "high." And many devout souls are seldom "high." God often serves the cake without the "frosting." But feeling isn't as important as filling–filling yourself with God's goodness, not yours.

At Communion time we are in the closest union with Jesus. "He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me and I in him," the mutual union of "Communion" (John 6: 56). In this infilling with the presence of Christ, we have an occasion to fulfill the pleading of Paul in Ephesians 3:19, "that we may be filled to the measure of all fullness of God." It is only with this total infilling with Christ that we have security against contamination or recontamination with the forces of evil. Jesus tells us that after evicting the enemy, the house is "clean but empty" (Luke 11:25)–rather than "clean and full" with the fullness of Christ. This emptiness leaves it open to "seven devils worse than the first."

Pray to appreciate more fully the truth that "you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority" (Phil. 2:10), so as to experience "the fullness of him who fills everything in every way" (Eph. 1:23). This is the antidote to your "spiritual emptiness."

 
The Blessed Eucharist: Our Greatest Treasure
~Fr. Michael Muller, C.S.S.R

What happens when you miss one Holy Communion?

The following was shared by my friend Mary Jane.

It is well for you to consider what you lose every day that you pass up Holy Communion:

1. You miss a personal visit with Jesus, Author of all spiritual energy and all holiness;

2. You lose a special increase of sanctifying grace, which makes your soul more pleasing to God;

3. You lose a quota of sacramental grace which entitles you to special help in times of temptation and in the discharge of your special duties.

4. You miss the special preserving influence which each Holy Communion confers against the fires of passion;

5. You miss the opportunity of having remitted a part, or all, of the temporal punishments due to your sins;

6. You lose the spiritual joy, the sweetness and particular comfort that comes from a fervent Holy Communion.

7. You lose a part of the glory that your body might enjoy at its resurrection on the Last Day;

8. You lose the greater degree of glory you would possess in Heaven for all eternity;

9. You may lose:
a. Complete victory over some fault or passion;
b. Some particular grace long prayed for;
c. The conversion or salvation of some soul;
d. Deliverance of a relative or friend from Purgatory
e. Many graces for others, both the living and the dead.

What riches hundreds of thousands of Catholics deprive themselves daily by neglecting Mass. It in itself is the best preparation for Holy Communion. At the hour of death our greatest consolation will be the Masses we have heard and the Holy Communions received.