And as they were eating, He took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them, and said, "Take; this is My body."
And he took a cup, and when He had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And He said to them,
"This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many". -Mark 14:22-24
O Jesus, my dearest Redeemer, if I could not follow You along the roads of Palestine, if I cannot behold You in heaven where You are seated in glory at the right hand of Your Father, always interceding for me, I can, nevertheless, every time I so desire, find You living in the most holy Sacrament of the Altar.
What an immense gift You have bestowed on me by leaving Your sacred humanity in the holy Eucharist! As God, You are everywhere, it is true, but as man and my Redeemer I find You in the Sacred Host. My poor human nature needs to find You in the integrity of Your Person as God made man; it needs to be able to approach You and possess You, not only spiritually, but even in a physical reality. I am thinking especially of those precious moments after Holy Communion, when Your sacred humanity is in direct physical contact with my soul. At that time I am not merely touching the hem of Your garment, like the poor woman in the Gospel, but my human nature is touching Yours, and not only touching it but is being nourished by it, for You come to me as Food.
Jesus! If the influence of Your humanity was so powerful that it could heal and justify all who drew near to You, what can it not effect in my soul during those moments of close, profound contact? O Jesus, forgive me my sins; purify and sanctify my soul ; give me those dispositions of profound humility, lively faith, and ardent love which enable me to receive the fullness of Your divine influence.
Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalene OCD
O Sacrament Most Holy;
O Sacrament Divine!
All praise and all thanksgiving-
Be every moment Thine!
