"Remain in Me…” John 15:4
The vine and the
branches provide a wonderful image of our relationship to the Lord. When we
remain with Jesus, His divine life sustains us, but without Him, we will wither
and die. The grape vine also symbolizes the Eucharist, which nourishes our faith.
Recently, we had the joy of seeing many children receiving their First
Communion at our parishes. The churches were decorated with wheat and grapes, and filled with family
members celebrating this occasion. The girls in their white dresses and the boys
in their suits reflected the innocent beauty of little brides and bridegrooms. Their
garments symbolize the reality that these children are uniting their souls to Jesus
the Bridegroom, and the Church, His Bride. This union, like marriage, is for
life. These children have been called and chosen to be united with the
Eucharistic Jesus. On their First Communion day, Jesus Himself enters their
hearts forever.
Many new
Catholics – and lapsed Catholics – speak of a hunger for the Eucharist that led
them to the Church. Sally Read, a recent convert, describes this longing in her
book “Night’s Bright Darkness.” (spoiler
alert!) A lifelong atheist, Sally experiences a call to Christ. Seeking Him first
in other churches – anyplace but the Catholic Church(!) she realizes, “…there
was the most immense hunger in me… I longed to receive Christ in the
Eucharist.”
One night, she walks
the streets of London searching for a Catholic Church, somehow knowing He is
there. A poet, Sally beautifully intersperses the story of her fruitless search
with verses from the Song of Songs: “I
sought Him whom my soul loves;” Every church she finds is closed: one for
renovation, others permanently… “I sought
Him but I found Him not.” Finally,
her heart aching, she admits, “I… knew that I was already Catholic.”
But the passion
of our love for God in the Eucharist can easily wane. As in marriage, we have to work to keep the
fire of love alight. Spending time together – with our spouse or with our Lord
– strengthens our love. Remain with Jesus, at Mass, in prayer, in adoration. He
is the very life within you, His heart burns with love for you. Never let your
love for Jesus grow cold. Remain always in Him.
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