The Eucharist is the food for eternal life.
Today we must give many thanks to God for having remained amongst us, in the mystery of the Holy Eucharist. We should express to him our joy at having him so close to us: “O Godhead hid, devoutly I adore thee,” we will repeat to him many times this day from the very depths of our hearts.
When we visit the Blessed Sacrament, we will be able to say slowly to Our Lord, with love: “I do not see your wounds as St Thomas saw them, but I confess that you are my God."
The Church and the world have a great need for eucharistic devotions. Jesus is waiting for us in this sacrament of Love. Let us not be sparing in the time we spend going to meet him in adoration, in contemplation filled with faith, and let us be prepared to make reparation for the many grave faults and offenses committed against him in the world. May our adoration never cease. Today especially has to be filled with acts of faith and love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.
For many years God fed manna to the people of Israel as they wandered in the wilderness. This was an image and symbol of the pilgrim Church and of each individual who journeys towards his or her definitive homeland - Heaven. That food given in the desert of Sinai is a figure of the true food for eternal life, the Holy Eucharist.
Today is a day of thanksgiving and joy because God has wanted to remain with us to feed us and to strengthen us, so that we may never feel alone. The Holy Eucharist is the viaticum, the food for the long journey of our days on Earth towards the goal of true Life. Jesus accompanies us and strengthens us here in this world, where our life is like a shadow compared to the reality that awaits us. Earthly food is a pale image of the food we receive in Holy Communion. The Holy Eucharist opens up our hearts to a completely new reality.
Thank you, Lord, for remaining with us. What would have become of us without you? Where would we have gone to restore our strength and to ask for consolation? From the Tabernacle, how easy you make the way for us!
Let us ask Our Lord, then, to make us souls devoted to the Blessed Eucharist, so that our relationship with him brings forth joy and serenity and a desire for justice. In this way will we make it easier for others to recognize Christ; we will put Christ at the center of all human activities. And Jesus’ promise will be fulfilled: ‘I when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself’ (John 12:32) (St. Josemaría).
Excerpts from F. Fernández Carvajal.
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