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"I recall the strange and touching
story of St. Alexis. When he was young he left home and then, because God
inspired him to do so, came back to the house of his parents in Rome dressed up like a
poor and unknown beggar. There he lived in some miserable old corner of the
house for seventeen years; and his parents never knew that it was he.
But when he died they found out.
It seems he left a note or something telling them what he had done in penance
for his sins, because God wanted him to. How that mother wept when she found
out that the beggar was her son. She had missed him so much and had so longed
to see him. In agony she cried out: "0 Alexis, my son! My son Alexis! Had
I only known it was you! How I would have loved you and enjoyed your company!
Now, alas! it is too late."
This is a sad story. But I am
afraid that if I do not appreciate my Eucharistic Savior here on earth, where
He is hidden away in the poor tabernacle, where He is in my very midst and I do
not seem to know Him, the time will come, after my death, when I will cry out,
seeing His adorable beauty in the life to come: "0 Jesus, if I had only known it was You! How I would have loved You, Jesus all
beautiful!. How I would have enjoyed
Your company! Oh, if I had only known!"
But I do know.
Faith tells me.
And I make so little of it…"
(From The Way to God by Father Winfrid Herbst
S.D.S.)
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For those of us who had to fight long and hard for the restoration of the Extraordinary Form of the Mass, this post rings all too true. I took for granted that this form of the Mass would always be there. Now I appreciate it all the more. The same with Jesus being present in the tabernacle. One thought about the Catholics in Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Israel and I know that Jesus can be barred from me here in the USA just as easily. Taking Jesus for granted is giving up on developing a relationship with Him.
ReplyDeleteBarb:
ReplyDeleteIt is only when we must make an extraordinary effort to even find an open Church will we belatedly come to appreciate He Whom we ignored.
You continue to inspire and encourage so many souls! Thank you.
This was a beautiful and soul-stirring reminder of how near Jesus truly is and how lonely he must be without our friendship, companionship and love.
ReplyDeleteThis is so true. I need to take time in adoration this year. Beginning this year, I should say.
ReplyDelete