“My child, if My
true presence on the altar were limited to one place alone, many people from
all parts of the world would try to visit that place at some time or other in
their lives, Yet, now, that I have made it easy for all to come to Me, see how
many visit Me only when they are obliged!
Many people are so
cold toward me. Like children they are impressed only by what they can touch
and see. I have given them the greatest treasure in the Blessed Sacrament. Through
My Apostles and their successors, I have promised to be personally present
wherever the Blessed Sacrament is. Make every effort to be deeply impressed by
this greatest of all earthly gifts.
It is not enough
for you to believe in My real presence upon the altar. I placed Myself there
for love of you. I wanted to be near you in some visible way, so that you might
visit Me as often as you wished. You should wish it as often as possible.
People come to Me
for different reasons. Some come only on Sundays and holy days, through a sense
of obligation. Either they do not want to lose Heaven, or they desire My help
in their daily life. Then there are those who come to Me through mere habit.
They act automatically, without any particular devotion to Me. There, are, however,
a certain number who come to Me for the best reason. They come because they are
glad to be near Me. These people please Me best of all. They receive many extra
graces which are not granted to the others.
Consider how
devoted My saints were to Me. They seized every opportunity to visit Me and
stay with Me. They desired to abandon all useless interests so that they might
have more time with Me. In return for this generosity with Me, they received a
clearer understanding of My boundless goodness and a deeper appreciation of My
infinite love.
You too have the
opportunity to give Me more of your time
and attention. Make a greater effort to come closer to Me in friendship. You
have the privilege of kneeling before Me like the simple, wonderful shepherds;
the tired, admiring Magi; the suffering, begging leper; the penitent, hopeful
Magdalene, the convinced, converted Thomas. How are you taking advantage of this
privilege?
How much easier it
will be for you to face Me in your judgment if you have loved to face Me often
during your earthly life. Each visit to Me is an act of faith, of love, and of
self-purification. Come to Me often, so that I may shower more of My gifts upon
your soul.”
(From My Daily
Bread by Father Anthony J. Paone, S.J., available from the Confraternity ofThe Precious Blood)
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This is so beautiful. I love the Eucharistic meditations written in the voice of Jesus. It makes me want to jump up and run to church, even though today we had Mass and Benediction. We so need a close relationship with Jesus if we are going to stand up to the challenges to our Faith.
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