Heart-to-Heart

Just after His resurrection, Jesus met two disciples on the road to Emmaus. One of the disciples was Cleopas; the other is unnamed. We know that Mary, the wife of Clopas, was one of the women who was present at the crucifixion (John 19:25). Some Biblical scholars have postulated that this Mary could have been the second disciple. So we might imagine a married couple who had been disciples of Christ just days before—one of them with a strong enough faith to have remained at the foot of the cross when Christ died.

However, the road they were taking was leading away from the rest of the disciples and back to their home. They had left their fellow Christians and were downcast. Christ’s presence had been taken from them, and their hopes in Him had been dashed: “But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel” (Luke 24:21).

“Why are you downcast, my soul,
why do you groan within me?
Wait for God, for I shall again praise him,
my savior and my God.“ ~Psalm 42:12

Can we relate to these disciples during this time when we are not able to receive Holy Communion due to the Coronavirus pandemic? It seems that Christ’s presence has been removed from us. We cannot receive Him in the Eucharist, nor gaze upon Him in the adoration chapel. We must make due with watching Mass online (which is indeed a consolation!). But it’s just not the same, is it?

Perhaps this time of “fasting” from the Eucharist will help us remember how precious our sacraments are to us, especially the Eucharist. We can look forward to the time when we can receive the Lord again, when He will be made known to us in the breaking of the bread (Luke 24: 35). 

Through all of this, we can remain joyful, because although God works through His sacraments, He is not constrained by them: “he himself is not bound by his sacraments” (CCC 1257). This means that Jesus can come to us in spiritual communion.

“When you do not receive communion and you do not attend Mass, you can make a spiritual communion, which is a most beneficial practice; by it the love of God will be greatly impressed on you” ~St. Teresa of Avila

You can make an informal act of spiritual communion at any time by asking Jesus to come to you in your heart. When He comes to us, He will bring us joy: “You will fill me with joy in your presence” (Acts 2:28 & Psalm 16:11). In fact, our humble hearts are the ideal place for us to encounter Christ: “We have in our day no prince, prophet, or leader, no burnt offering, sacrifice, oblation, or incense, no place to offer first fruits, to find favor with you. But with contrite heart and humble spirit let us be received” (Daniel 3:38-39).

Let us encounter Christ’s love and presence in our hearts, as He loves us so intently with His own. We are always able to have a heart-to-heart talk with Our Lord.

Thank you, dear Jesus, for being with us in every circumstance. Please come into my heart and fill me with Your joy. Never permit me to be separated from You.