Lake Erie can be calm and peaceful in one moment, then turn rough and dangerous in the next.
The bay remains more at peace because of Presque Isle's protection. Historically, Presque Isle provided more than just protection from the weather to the harbor.
During the War of 1812, Presque Isle and its sandbar protected the construction of ships in the bay. British warships could be seen nearing Erie, but they could not enter the bay due to Presque Isle and the sandbar’s defense.
These protective conditions enabled Daniel Dobbins to construct ships within the bay. Ultimately, the American fleet, led by Oliver Perry, won the Battle of Lake Erie at Put-in-Bay.
For Aquinas, the Eucharist protects us similarly to how Presque Isle protects the bay.
Aquinas wrote a Preparation For Mass and Thanksgiving After Mass prayer focusing on the Eucharist.
In his post-communion prayer Aquinas would pray, “May [the Eucharist] be a firm defense against the snares of all my enemies, both visible and invisible.”
According to Aquinas, one effect of the Eucharist is that we are given spiritual medicine. For Aquinas, the Eucharist preserves us from inner decay and thus protects us from spiritual death. In addition, it preserves us from sin by strengthening our spiritual lives as we become more united to Jesus.
Similar to how Presque Isle has protected the bay from weather and enemies, Aquinas believed that the Eucharist protects us from spiritual warfare. This is because the Eucharist points towards Christ’s Passion, which we enter into at every Mass, in which He conquered the enemy.
The Eucharist is a personal Presque Isle that guards the harbor of one’s heart.
May each of us have a bay-like humility that is open to being protected by Jesus in the reception of the Eucharist as Erie has been open to being protected by Presque Isle.
+ Fr. Luke Daghir