ELISHEBA BLOGLaura, Ivonne, and Rick
write about their lives in the Eucharist. |
ELISHEBA BLOGLaura, Ivonne, and Rick
write about their lives in the Eucharist. |
By: Ivonne Hernandez “The best means for acquiring the meekness of the Heart of Jesus is the love of our Lord. Love always tends to effect identity of life between those who love each other. Love will make use of three means to achieve this result. Love will first put out the flaming fires of anger, impatience: and violence by warring against self-love, which is manifested in the three concupiscences of the heart. We feel provoked because some obstacle checks our sensuality, our pride, and our desire to cut a figure or to receive honors. To fight against these three ruling passions is to attack the enemies of meekness. We must next learn to have more zeal for what is to be done in the order of Divine Providence than for what we are actually doing. For if we are vexed, we are so because we are taken away from an occupation which we prefer to the one God would have us do. If we are much like Jesus, we will leave everything to obey God's will. Whatever we are asked to do will be, in our estimation, the best and most pleasant thing for us. Such a transformation can be brought about in us only if, out of love, we give our preference to what the will of God has decreed for every moment of our life; for God constantly varies our graces and our duties for His glory and our greater good.” [1] - St. Peter Julian Eymard Meditation: How often are we annoyed, frustrated, or worried at some situation? When I read the words above from St. Peter Julian, I thought of the many hours I have spent angry or frustrated, and then the many hours I spent trying to deal with those feelings. They really add up and leave me exhausted. I've often wondered if there is a better way. “For if we are vexed, we are so because we are taken away from an occupation which we prefer to the one God would have us do.” There are days that I have the Grace to accept God’s will in my life and things flow smoothly. This is usually true when things completely outside anyone’s control change my plans. I can see that it must be God’s will and I trust and move on. Then there are the rest of the days, the days where things other people did or did not do affect my plans. Now this is a different story. I have someone to blame. The more I focus on why other people’s failings are now my problem, the more my frustration and anger grow. But St. Peter Julian is reminding me here that instead of looking at the splinter in my neighbor’s eye, I should focus on the big beam of pride in mine. There is a battle raging inside each of us. A battle between love, and its enemy, self-love. Thankfully we have a God who loves us so much He will not let go. He will wrestle with us until we are so exhausted, we will finally surrender to His love. “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves.” (Matthew 11:29) [1] Eymard, St Peter Julian. The Real Presence (pp. 223-224). Veritatis Splendor Publications. Kindle Edition.
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" But our Lord did not come to visit Mary alone: He was accompanied by a retinue of all those Saints who had risen with Him-From the Patriarchs down to St. Joseph and the Good Thief. All came in the train of their triumphant King to salute their Queen." ... "Magnificat "-- "My Soul doth Magnify the Lord,... because He hath regarded the humility of his handmaid." (St. Peter Julian Eymard, Vol. 7) Dearest Eucharistic Family: We are blessed to find dependency in God. Addictions are sometimes found in place of the Lord, secondary to truth we find things that comfort our wounds, however only for a time. Drink, food, pleasures all done in moderation can be part of Gods gifts to us, in excess they can destroy us. We can however be Addicted to LOVE, sounds like another Cliché, however it is true. The only One we cannot be too dependent on is Jesus. He holds the power of all that will comfort us, all that lives in the deep recesses of our souls, calling for consolation. St. Peter Julian Eymard was immersed in the reality that the Eucharistic Lord remains with us to comfort us, to continue to heal us, daily. We know by St. Peter Julian's words, " ... Our Lord did not come to visit Mary alone..." God lives, He has been with us in the "retinue of Saints" down through the ages. We continue to condition our spiritual lives by living in the Blessed Sacrament, it is there we can never be too obsessed with anything other than God. The King is Triumphant, we magnify the Lord with Mary by our participation in the Liturgy. In the Catechism we are taught that Jesus will be perpetuating His sacrifice throughout the ages until He should come again. He entrusts to us, His church, His Sacrament of Love. The Hope of Glory remains with us in Jesus Eucharistic. In our defenselessness we cling to the promise of Our Father when we ask, "How can this be?" We then hear the words: "The Holy Spirit will come upon you." (121 CCC:484) Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Blessed are you, Mary exalted daughter of Sion! You are highly favoured and full of grace, for the spirit of God descended upon you. We magnify the Lord and rejoice with you for the gift of the Word made flesh, bread of life and cup of joy. Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, our model of prayer in the cenacle, pray for us that we may become what we receive, the body of Christ your son. Amen. By: Ivonne Hernandez “It would indeed be unfortunate if we could be in touch with Jesus Eucharistic only in His churches. The light of the sun envelops and illumines us even when we do not stand directly beneath its rays. In the same way, from His Host our Lord will find the means to send some rays of His love into your home to bring you warmth and strength. There are currents in the supernatural order as in the natural. Do you not at times feel unexpectedly recollected and transported with love? The reason is you have come upon a beneficent ray, a current of grace. Have confidence in these currents, in these relations that can be had with Jesus, even from a distance. It would be a sad thing were Jesus to receive adorations from us only when we come to visit Him in church. No, no! He sees everywhere, He blesses everywhere, He unites Himself everywhere to those who want to communicate with Him. Adore Him therefore from everywhere; turn in spirit toward His tabernacle.”. [1] - St. Peter Julian Eymard Meditation: When the temperature outside drops and the sun does not come out, it is very hard to stay warm. It seems that the cold penetrates all the way through to our bones. We sit by the fire, and try to stay warm. When it is time to head outside and face the harsh cold, we bundle up to keep the warmth from our own bodies from escaping. Eventually we need to go inside again and warm up, or we would freeze to death. I’ve been pondering on the lyrics of Daniel Kantor’s song, “Night of Silence”: Cold are the people, winter of life We tremble in shadows this cold endless night Frozen in the snow lie roses sleeping Flowers that will echo the sunrise Fire of hope is our only warmth Weary its flame will be dying soon. The world can be a very cold and harsh place for our hearts too. We see many beautiful souls who are like these frozen roses, asleep. They need a gentle slow warming, to let their fragrance fill the world. Perhaps we were one of these frozen roses before, and somehow, somewhere, Jesus reached us with one of His rays. Perhaps it was a family member, or a stranger who smiled at just the right moment, or a sermon from a priest. Whichever form this ray took, its source was and is always Our Eucharistic Lord, who sees everywhere and blesses everywhere. Jesus “will find the means to send some rays of His love” wherever we are. Those of us who have been blessed to receive His fire in the Eucharist need to be those rays that will bring Him to the cold dark corners of the world. This “cold endless night” is not really endless. We have the promise that “Night will be no more, nor will they need light from lamp or sun, for the Lord God shall give them light, and they shall reign forever and ever.” (Rev 22:5) In the meantime, we need to remain warm with the fire of hope, and bring that fire to those around us who are still frozen, or who are in danger of freezing. We need to sit often by the fire of the Eucharist and keep our own hearts warm with His love. [1] Eymard, St Peter Julian. The Real Presence (p. 304). Veritatis Splendor Publications. Kindle Edition. |
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AuthorsWe are Ivonne J. Hernandez, Rick Hernandez and Laura Worhacz, Lay Associates of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament, and brothers and sisters in Christ. |