Anyways, I went to confession and received absolution and then I attended Holy Mass. Father mention Father's day in the Prayers of the Faithful but didn't dwell on it much. I went to Holy Communion and received the Body and Blood of Christ and returned to my seat to kneel and pray.
I knelt at my seat with the Eucharistic Host still in my mouth, and the Precious Blood swallowed but still tasting sweet upon my tongue. I started to turn my thoughts to the reality of the Real Presence and the blessed privilege of consumming Christ* when suddenly I was powerfully confronted with a sensation my late paternal grandfather being with me. I immediately, without forethought, internally exclaimed "Oh Grandpa, you are with me because we are both in Communion with Christ right now!" Then I started to cry and I discreetly cried for quite a while because the sensation was so strong and so unexpected.
Despite it being Father's Day, I hadn't really been thinking of my Grandpa that day - certainly not when I had been going up for communion. Also, as much as I hate to say, I can be quite a doubting Thomas about consolations and the like - despite or perhaps because of my charismatic background - and while I usually don't doubt that there's something real about my consolations, I tend to give myself a hard time about how to interpret them - especially when I like the interpretations.
I'm a convert, and like most of my relatives, my grandfather was not Catholic. His background was Baptist, but he wasn't particularly religious. Shortly before he died - almost ten years ago- he did tell me that he believed in Jesus. He was a partier, but he had a very generous heart and I've hoped that the mercy of Christ would've secured him a time of purifaction (Purgatory) that led to the fullness of the glory of eternal union with Christ in Heaven. I've prayed for his soul quite abit, though probably not nearly enough.
So while I have long had hope that my grandfather made it into purgatory - and therefore would eventually be in Heaven - and while also aware that time in Eternity doesn't work like it does here - nonetheless, I was quite surprised to so powerfully and so unexpectedly feel like I was in communion with grandfather in and through Christ. I'm also very surprised to feel no inclination to doubt or second guess it - contrary to my nature. Even more than 24 hours later.
God's mercy is very great. Thanks be to God.
*Goodness, this all makes me sound so much more pious than I really am - I'm not really this pious - but I should be.
