Ave Maria Meditations
We need to get into closer contact with Jesus, our friend. What does it matter if we are afflicted with distractions and worries? He knows all our difficulties, our weakness, our desires, even our want of love for Him. But He is there waiting to refresh and help us, to share in our interests, our plans, our joys, to console us in sorrow and distress, to give aid in difficulties, to strengthen us against our own weakness and many temptations.
Most of all, though, let us have a true knowledge of the primary reason of the institution of this Sacrament. It is to be our food, our strength, our pledge of future glory; that is what must impress us most and that is the chief use we must make of this life-giving food. To receive Him, who is Lord of all, into our sinful soul that it may gain strength from His power, holiness from His infinite sanctity, that He may live in us and we in Him, in a wondrous union beyond our understanding; what a mystery of divine condescension and love for sinful man!
How can we find any excuse for not making the fullest use of this Sacrament, we who through our sinfulness and fatal weakness so much need all the strength which it alone can give. Think of the wonderful promises He has made to those who are faithful in using this daily Bread as the Food of the soul!
“He that eats this Bread shall live forever.”
“He that eats My Flesh and drinks My Blood has everlasting life and I will raise him up in the last day.” (Jn 6:54).
+ Father Martin Harrison, O.P.
