Eucharistic Reflection - Will You Also Go Away?

St. Mary's - Baldwinsville, NY -Photo©Michael Seagriff

After this [Jesus telling His followers that he who feeds on His flesh and drinks His blood has eternal life] many of His disciples went back and walked no more with Him.

Then Jesus said to the twelve: Will you also go away ?

This question came from a Heart so inflamed with love, and was in itself so strong a proof of excessive tenderness, that it could not fail to oblige those, to whom it was directed, to love Jesus Christ yet more ardently.

It had also all the effect that this Divine Savior desired; and this increase of fervor in the Apostles, consoled Him a little, for the affliction He felt, at the departure of those who had forsaken Him.

Jesus Christ often asks us the same question, and for the same reason. How happy should we be, if it had the same effect!

Every day this loving Savior sees Himself forsaken by those unhappy creatures, who, tired of His benefits, withdraw themselves from His service. He is left alone.

Faithful servants, fervent Christians, hear the question put to you by Jesus Christ: And you,’ He says, ‘will you abandon Me?  Are you disgusted with this divine, food, and tired of My service?  Will you act like those who go away, and come only with the crowd, to offer Me their homage mechanically, or to pass the time ?

(From Devotion To The Sacred Heart by Father John Croiset, S.J.)