J.M.J. Venerable Fulton J. Sheen wrote years ago
that while Jesus could have chosen to leave anything—financial security,
a promise of earthly contentment, etc.—as a “last will and testament”
to His Apostles during the Last Supper on the evening of Holy Thursday,
He decided to leave behind the very best gift possible: Himself. And the
world has never been the same.
The Most Holy Eucharist is the real, true
and substantial Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of the Son of God and Son
of Mary. How fortunate we are to have the Most Blessed Sacrament near
us.
Yesterday's Solemnity of Corpus Christi
highlights the Church’s sincerest and continual gratitude to God for
this magnificent treasure that never grows old. The Church would not be
the Church without the Most Holy Eucharist. And the Holy Spirit inspires
the Faithful to be aware that the Church adores the Father in Jesus
living in the Most Blessed Sacrament through the power of the Holy Spirit.
During this period in which an important
debate rages concerning whether pro-abortion Catholic politicians should
be denied the Most Holy Eucharist, we administer to ourselves an examination
of conscience regarding our attitudes towards the Bread of Life and the
Chalice of Salvation. Here are only a few possible questions.
Do I know what the Most Holy Eucharist is? Can I explain this “Sacrament of Sacraments” to another?
Can I identify persons in my life who seem
(or, if deceased, seemed) to be on “fire” for the Most Holy Eucharist? Who
are my Eucharistic “heroes” and “heroines”?
How do I prepare myself to receive Holy
Communion? Am I aware of the obligation to fast for one hour from food
and drink (medicine and water may be taken) before receiving the Most
Holy Eucharist?
Do I confess any and all previously
unconfessed mortal sins to a priest within the Sacrament of Penance
before going to Holy Communion?
Do I notice any difference in my thoughts and behavior after receiving Holy Communion?
Have the years of receiving the Body and
Blood of Christ made me less self-serving and more generous towards the
outcast, lonely, forgotten and dying?
If I were to stop availing myself of the
Most Holy Eucharist, would I remain charitable and joyful? Can I exist
without Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament?
Have I ever contemplated the link between the Eucharistic Jesus and the Mother of God?
Do I spend time in adoration of the Most Holy Eucharist whether reserved in the Tabernacle or exposed in the Monstrance?
Our response to the Most Holy Eucharist is
quite simple: adoration, love and conversion. How pleased the Risen Lord
Jesus will be when His needy sons and daughters finally cooperate and
allow His Body and Blood to bring about their genuine happiness in this
life as well as in the next.
“O Sacrament most holy, O Sacrament divine, All praise and all thanksgiving, be every moment Thine.”
Jesus, Living in the Most Blessed Sacrament, have mercy on us!
Mary, Mother of the Most Blessed Sacrament, pray for us.
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