Harvesting The Fruits of Contemplation

“In order to lead the soul to a high degree of virtue, God grants it the grace of deeper recollection. This incontestable truth is little known or appreciated even by persons of piety, who too often act on the belief that progress in holiness consists in external religious practices or in a greater enjoyment of God. (Image Source) Yet it is certain that the grace of recollection, by bringing us nearer to God, nearer to the divine fire of love, does increase our light and fervor. That is why we comprehend certain truths so clearly when we are in a more profound state of recollection. We discern them, in fact, by the very lights of God. Then it is that we have a peace we never knew before, a strength which astonishes us; we feel we are with God.” (St. Peter Julian Eymard from Holy Communion )

For nearly 30 years I have been joyfully getting up in the early morning hours each weekend to adore and worship our  loving Lord. It was heart-wrenching when, without any discussion or exploration of alternatives, our Chapel of Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration (and others) was summarily closed in the stampede of fear and lack of trust in God that overtook our Church. Our Adoration Chapels and Churches should never have been closed. Instead, our Bishops should have urged us all to come and spend time on our knees before God making acts of reparation for our unfaithfulness and asking for His mercy, assistance and protection. We acted then, and in large measure continue to act, as if He is powerless and/or unwilling to do so. But this abandonment of our Lord imprisoned in the tabernacles of His Churches was well in place prior to the pandemic, since so few Catholics (relatively speaking) actually believe that Jesus is really, substantially and physical present in the Sacred Eucharist....

When we spend time with Jesus we become like Him. Why are we not encouraged to do so? (Photo by Jacob Bentzinger on Unsplash )  

(Photo©Michael Seagriff) O Sacred Heart Thou Lovest! Yes, dearest Lord, we have no doubt of this. How ardently Thou didst long to die for us – to remain with us in Thy Sacrament of love. How ardently didst Thou long for the love of Thy poor, suffering, sinful children! Ah, sweet Jesus, may we satisfy the thirst of Thy sacred Heart by loving Thee with a strong, enthusiastic, faithful love. Oh, let us ever abide by Thy love. O Sacred Heart of Jesus, Thou lovest! Alas! Then comes the unfortunate part, O dear Lord – Thou are not loved! Alas! This is but too true.