Monday Musings - Do WE Also Make So Little of It?

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[Father Windrid Herbt, S.D.S.(1891- 1988), was a renown spiritual writer and  included the following story about St. Alexis in his most excellent book, The Way To God, copies of which are difficult to find.

I received permission to include this poignant tale in my book, Stirring Slumbering Souls - 250 Eucharistic Reflections.

This story was intended when Father first shared it and is still intended now, to challenge each us to take an honest look at our relationship with our Lord and Savior present among us.]

"I recall the strange and touching story of Saint 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…"

  

Eucharistic Reflection - When Do You Visit Me?

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“Listen Jesus is speaking…Being in heaven I came down to earth: and then I instituted the Blessed Sacrament in order to be with you always. In Holy Communion I really and truly come to you…And you? When do you come to Me? In Holy Communion I visit you; but tell Me, my child, when do you visit Me? Perhaps our Sacred meeting in the morning satisfies you; it does not satisfy Me.  I long to see you here in My presence again before evening. My child. That is why I now invite you. Won’t you accept the invitation?”

 (From Eucharistic Whisperings by Father Winfrid Herbst, S.D.S.)