God often feels hidden from us. We cannot see Him with our physical eyes, but only through the eyes of faith. Jesus will reveal Himself to us if we love Him and keep His commandments: “Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. And whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him” (John 14:21).
Jesus reveals Himself to us each time we attend Mass, receive Holy Communion, and adore Him in the Blessed Sacrament. This is how we can physically see Our Lord: under appearance of bread and wine. It takes a significant act of faith to look upon the Eucharist and believe that it is the precious Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Our Lord, Jesus Christ. The wider world is not at this moment able to embrace Christ’s real presence in the Eucharist, but only through the eyes of faith can we recognize this: “In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me, because I live and you will live” (John 14:19).
“The Eucharist is the supreme proof of the love of Jesus. After this, there is nothing more but Heaven itself.” ~ St. Peter Eymard
How humble is our God to take the appearance of simple bread and wine in order to nourish us? He allows us not only to see Him, but taste His goodness: “Taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:9)! That He feeds us with His own Body and Blood is evidence of His great love for us. Jesus chose His suffering, His death on the cross, the sacrifice of Himself because He loves us.
Have you ever experienced a sense of Jesus’s deep love for you? If not, consider what might be blocking you. It could be a sinful pattern of behavior, a sporadic prayer life, hurt and anger, a feeling of not being worthy to be truly loved, or simply an “over-busyness” of life that distracts you. I have personally experienced all of these blocks to experiencing the love of Christ at one time or another. Whatever the reason, you can ask Jesus to come to you and remove whatever is blocking His love. Then become quiet and watch and wait for what happens next.
Lord Jesus, please reveal Yourself to me. Help me to recognize You each time I receive the Most Holy Eucharist. Remove anything that is hindering me from experiencing Your true love.
Mass Readings – Sixth Sunday of Easter 5/17/20
- Acts 5 – 17 (5-8, 14-17)
- Psalm 66: 1-20
- 1 Peter 3:15-18
- John 14:15-21