David and Theresa had spent months planning for their wedding. The parents had pitched in a great deal as well. Everything from invitations to pictures and flowers to dresses and tuxedos . . . right down to the menu for the lovely reception was planned with extreme loving detail. Everyone was excited about the big day. The Wedding Mass was beautiful. Sure, there were a couple of snafus. You couldn’t hear the vows, there were a couple of notes out of key, the congregation wasn’t really participating, but overall it was very uplifting. After all, it was a celebration of love.After the new bridge and groom received communion, the bride snuck out of the side door of the church. The congregation was speechless. Where did she go? Why did she leave before the final blessing? There was much speculation. Perhaps she wanted to beat the traffic. After all, the church was full and there were a lot of cars in the parking lot. Maybe she had a rough week and just wanted to go home and plop on the couch and watch football. One relative stood up for her and said, “Well at least she was here for the main part, many others don’t do that.” The bridegroom just shook his head and said, “This is the most intimate, loving moment we ever shared, we just became one body. Couldn’t she have stayed for a moment to meditate on this wonderful day? And to tell me how much she loves me?”Jesus is the Bridegroom. The Church is His Bride. Every Sunday I look up after communion and anywhere from 1/5 – 1/3 of the church is empty. I don’t know what to say. I could rag people from the pulpit on Sunday but that wouldn’t help. The main reason people leave is they forget that Eucharist means Thanksgiving. The moments after communion should be the most holy time because Jesus is now within you. I should have to kick people out of church for the next Mass! I know no one would ever leave a wedding or funeral after communion. They wouldn’t want to insult the couple or the family of the deceased.Well then, why do you insult Jesus? Because He is invisible? You just consumed Him! He is now within your bloodstream, and instead of whispering anthems of love and thanksgiving to Him . . . you are heading where? And why? You’re returning to what? Sit with Him after He comes into you. Imagine that you are now pregnant with the Word. Imagine Heaven. Do anything . . . but slow down . . . enjoy this intimate union. The world can wait. Football can wait. Breakfast, soccer, swimming, and every other Sunday activity known to man will not go anywhere while you let Our Savior minister to you. Allow the final blessing to bless you! Don’t be like the bride who skipped out after communion. Remember, the only one who left the Last Supper after communion was Judas. The rest stayed and sang hymns.