AMEN

Have you ever stopped to really think about what you mean when you say Amen? We say this simple word at the end of prayers, when we receive the Eucharist, or when we energetically agree with something but do we really know what we are saying? Most people probably think that Amen means something like "I believe" or "it is so." Really though the word Amen goes a lot deeper. Amen actually means to believe AND trust. Not only to trust but to trust fully. It is a trust that is complete. Think about that for a moment. When you say a prayer and end with amen, you are saying that you believe and trust. When the Eucharist is presented to you at Mass you say amen or I believe and trust. We are saying that we believe and trust that God will hear and answer our prayer and that we believe and trust that Jesus is really present in the Eucharist. Next time you say amen, don't let it just be a short passing word. Call to mind what you are really saying, that you believe and more importantly that you trust.
AMEN