Test of fidelity

"Intimacy is openness which keeps back no secret and which reveals

the heart open to Christ." - Ven Fulton J Sheen

 

Pope Francis

“The Eucharist is so essential to our one-ness with Christ that as soon as Our Lord announced It in the Gospel, It began to be the test of fidelity of His followers.  First, He lost the masses, for it was too hard a saying and they no longer followed Him.  Secondly, He lost some of His disciples:  ‘They walked with Him no more.’  Third, it split His apostolic band, for Judas is here announced as the betrayer.

So the Holy Hour, quite apart from all its positive spiritual benefits, kept my feet from wandering too far. Being tethered to a tabernacle, one's rope for finding other pastures is not so long. That dim tabernacle lamp, however pale and faint, had some mysterious luminosity to darken the brightness of 'bright lights.'

St Andrew Apostle Catholic Church ~ Silver Spring, Maryland ~ USA

The Holy Hour became like an oxygen tank to revive the breath of the Holy Spirit in the midst of the foul and fetid atmosphere of the world. Even when it seemed so unprofitable and lacking in spiritual intimacy, I still had the sensation of being at least like a dog at the master's door, ready in case he called me.

The Hour, too, became a magister and teacher, for although before we love anyone we must have a knowledge of that person, nevertheless, after we know, it is love that increases knowledge. Theological insights are gained not only from the two covers of a treatise, but from two knees on a prie-dieu before a tabernacle. ”

Ven Archbishop Fulton J Sheen

Treasure in Clay (pg 192)

This is a fantastic read!