03-14-2021, 02:09 PM
MEDITATION 4: EXCELLENCE OF THE SACRAMENT OF THE EUCHARIST
Lord, I will praise Thee with all my heart in the assembly of the just (Ps. 110. 1-5).
Creation, the government of the universe are great works showing forth your power, wisdom
and goodness; but nowhere are they more resplendent than in the Eucharist, memorial of all the
wonders you have wrought upon the earth. I devote my voice, my heart, my soul to bless you; give
me the love and reverence of the Cherubim and Seraphim who adore you with a holy fear.
1. THE POWER AND THE GOODNESS OF GOD ARE SHOWN FORTH IN THE EUCHARIST BETTER
THAN IN CREATION.
If we consider all that God has made: the heavens, the earth, the wonderful order that reigns
in this vast universe, all declare to us an infinite power that created all things. an admirable wisdom
which governs all, a supreme goodness which provides for all with the same care, as if it was
concerned only with one single being — so many wonders must fill us with amazement and
admiration.
But if we speak of the adorable Sacrament of the Eucharist, we can say that here is the prodigy
of the love of a God for us; it is here that His power, grace, and goodness shine in a marvellous
manner. Here is the bread come down from heaven, the bread of Angels which is given to us to be
the food of our souls; the bread of the strong to comfort and sweeten our sorrows; here is the bread
of the wayfarers; it is the key which opens heaven for us; so said the Saviour: “whosoever will
receive Me will have life eternal.” To give us this bread, Jesus multiplies miracles, inverts the order
of nature and suspends its laws.
2. HIS LIBERALITY AND HIS MERCY ARE MORE VIVIDLY SHOWN HERE THAN IN THE OTHER
SACRAMENTS.
None can be compared to the Eucharist. By Baptism we receive, it is true, the character of
children of God, and, in consequence. heaven is open to us and we share in all the treasures of the
Church; by Penance, the wounds of our souls are healed and the friendship of God is restored to
us; by Confirmation, Jesus Christ gives us the spirit of light and strength; by Extreme Unction He
covers us with the merits of His Death and His Passion; by Holy Orders He gives to priests all His
powers; by Marriage He sanctifies all our actions, even those that seem only to follow the
inclinations of nature. Mercies truly of a God who is infinite. But all this seems to be only an
apprenticeship to His love for men. In the adorable Sacrament of the Eucharist He goes much
further. We receive not only the application of His precious Blood, but Christ Himself, the Author
of all Grace, who has Himself merited it for us by His Passion and Death. He is there as living as in
Paradise. He communicates Himself to us with His glorious wounds, shining eternal witnesses of
His love, source inexhaustible of all supernatural life. O my God, may you be blessed! I bow down
and adore.
Lord, I will praise Thee with all my heart in the assembly of the just (Ps. 110. 1-5).
Creation, the government of the universe are great works showing forth your power, wisdom
and goodness; but nowhere are they more resplendent than in the Eucharist, memorial of all the
wonders you have wrought upon the earth. I devote my voice, my heart, my soul to bless you; give
me the love and reverence of the Cherubim and Seraphim who adore you with a holy fear.
1. THE POWER AND THE GOODNESS OF GOD ARE SHOWN FORTH IN THE EUCHARIST BETTER
THAN IN CREATION.
If we consider all that God has made: the heavens, the earth, the wonderful order that reigns
in this vast universe, all declare to us an infinite power that created all things. an admirable wisdom
which governs all, a supreme goodness which provides for all with the same care, as if it was
concerned only with one single being — so many wonders must fill us with amazement and
admiration.
But if we speak of the adorable Sacrament of the Eucharist, we can say that here is the prodigy
of the love of a God for us; it is here that His power, grace, and goodness shine in a marvellous
manner. Here is the bread come down from heaven, the bread of Angels which is given to us to be
the food of our souls; the bread of the strong to comfort and sweeten our sorrows; here is the bread
of the wayfarers; it is the key which opens heaven for us; so said the Saviour: “whosoever will
receive Me will have life eternal.” To give us this bread, Jesus multiplies miracles, inverts the order
of nature and suspends its laws.
2. HIS LIBERALITY AND HIS MERCY ARE MORE VIVIDLY SHOWN HERE THAN IN THE OTHER
SACRAMENTS.
None can be compared to the Eucharist. By Baptism we receive, it is true, the character of
children of God, and, in consequence. heaven is open to us and we share in all the treasures of the
Church; by Penance, the wounds of our souls are healed and the friendship of God is restored to
us; by Confirmation, Jesus Christ gives us the spirit of light and strength; by Extreme Unction He
covers us with the merits of His Death and His Passion; by Holy Orders He gives to priests all His
powers; by Marriage He sanctifies all our actions, even those that seem only to follow the
inclinations of nature. Mercies truly of a God who is infinite. But all this seems to be only an
apprenticeship to His love for men. In the adorable Sacrament of the Eucharist He goes much
further. We receive not only the application of His precious Blood, but Christ Himself, the Author
of all Grace, who has Himself merited it for us by His Passion and Death. He is there as living as in
Paradise. He communicates Himself to us with His glorious wounds, shining eternal witnesses of
His love, source inexhaustible of all supernatural life. O my God, may you be blessed! I bow down
and adore.