The courage and strength that are in me are not of me, but of Him who lives in me – it is the Eucharist.” (Saint Faustina, Diary 91).
I recently read a very interesting piece of writing by Lawrence Feingold from his book called, “The Eucharist”. In his book, Feingold describes the purpose and necessity of the Eucharist in the context of our spiritual life, and he bases this description on the comparisons of physical and spiritual life of Saint Thomas Aquinas, which Saint Thomas provided in his text, “Summa of Theology”.
And over the last few days I have been reflecting on the parallels raised between the requirements of our physical life when compared with the requirements of our spiritual life…
Saint Thomas Aquinas explains that in our physical life we are born, grow and mature, and require nourishment. And those same needs of birth, growth and nourishment, are required of our spiritual life too…
Spiritually, we are born in Christ through the Sacrament of Baptism. The Sacrament of Confirmation enables us to become spiritually mature. And then we require nourishment, and our nourishment comes from the Sacrament of the Eucharist – the Eucharist is our Spiritual nourishment.
You see, Christ told us plainly, “I am the bread of life…”
“Jesus answered, ‘... Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.’ … Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.’ … Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty….’” (John 6:26-35).
And I have been reflecting on the nourishment provided in such “spiritual food” because it is that nourishment that makes us strong!
Saint Faustina wrote in her Diary 91 about her fear of the day when she would not be able to receive Holy Communion…
“Every morning during meditation, I prepare myself for the whole day’s struggle. Holy Communion assures me that I will win the victory; and so it is. I fear the day when I do not receive Holy Communion. This Bread of the Strong gives me all the strength I need to carry on my mission and the courage to do whatever the Lord asks of me. The courage and strength that are in me are not of me, but of Him who lives in me – it is the Eucharist.” (Diary 91).
And now, I pray the prayer of Saint Faustina, asking my Beloved for the Grace to receive Him in the Most Holy Eucharist as often as is humanly possible in this earthly life – for I have great need of nourishment, and I have great need to strength. And only THIS BREAD can provide to me these things…
For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.