Wednesday in the Octave of Easter

And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight.

The disciples who are walking with Jesus do not recognize him when they first meet him. They do not recognize him when he opened the scriptures to them. However, when he took the bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them, then their eyes were opened. But why does Jesus vanish? Why does he leave them? If we read closely we see that Jesus does not leave them. He makes himself present to their hearts through the celebration of the Eucharist. Sometimes we can forget who is residing in the Blessed Sacrament, either because we are overwhelmed with worries or thoughtless about our reception of the Body and Blood of Christ. But we must always seek to recollect ourselves at Mass and realize that God is truly and wholly with us in the Eucharist. Our hearts should be ever burning within us as we approach and receive the Blessed Sacrament.

Do we recognize Jesus within the Body and Blood we receive during Mass? How do we prepare ourselves for receiving him into our hearts? What do we do afterward to give thanksgiving for all he has done for us?

O Lord, open our eyes to the blessing of the Most Holy Sacrament of Your Altar.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint Lucy, Virgin and Martyr

Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased.  So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands.

Every day we come face-to-face with the Son of Man made flesh in our family, friends, and neighbors. We are given the opportunity to love and serve Him through the members of His Spiritual Body. We also are called to be Christ for others. It is especially difficult to be and recognize the Christ within others and ourselves when we are faced with troubles, but this is when we most need to open our eyes and the eyes of others. Otherwise the Son of Man will suffer at our hands.

Do we do whatever we please in our lives or do we become living Christs for others and ourselves? How can we be more aware of the Son of Man in our neighbors and treat them as they deserve even when it is most difficult to do so? What can we do to be a more perfect Eucharistic presence to all whom we meet?

O Lord, help us recognize you in others and do whatever pleases you, not just ourselves.

Amen.