Two-pronged path - to Christ... (EASTER THURSDAY)

...it is I myself.  Touch me and see... Luke 24:39a

 

"Those who are called to recognize the risen Jesus 

do so by following the same two-pronged path:  by the sacrament of Jesus' Body 

and that of His Word, touching Jesus' Body and understanding the Scriptures.  

These two sacraments, in a mysterious way, contain the risen One 
and at the same time in every Eucharist make Him present to all who believe.

How could we ever believe if Jesus Himself 

did not take the initiative to make it happen?  

How would we recognize Jesus in the sacrament of His Body and Blood 

if He Himself did not invite us to do this and if He did not tenderly 
wound our heart at the moment we receive Him?  
How would we find the risen One in His Word 

if He Himself did not open our mind and set our heart on fire every time 

He spoke to us through Scriptures?  

In our own heart, which leaps up with joy, 

we recognize Jesus, the Jesus Who is risen 

and still lives, even in our midst."

Dom Andre Louf (+2010)
Abbot - 35 years  - Cistercian monastery 
of Mont-des-Cats, France

Day 7
Click here: DIVINE MERCY NOVENA PRAYERS

Two-pronged path... to Christ (Easter Thursday)

...it is I myself.  Touch me and see... Luke 24:39a

 

"Those who are called to recognize the risen Jesus 

do so by following the same two-pronged path:  by the sacrament of Jesus' Body 

and that of His Word, touching Jesus' Body and understanding the Scriptures.  

These two sacraments, in a mysterious way, contain the risen One 
and at the same time in every Eucharist make Him present to all who believe.

How could we ever believe if Jesus Himself 

did not take the initiative to make it happen?  

How would we recognize Jesus in the sacrament of His Body and Blood 

if He Himself did not invite us to do this and if He did not tenderly 
wound our heart at the moment we receive Him?  
How would we find the risen One in His Word 

if He Himself did not open our mind and set our heart on fire every time 

He spoke to us through Scriptures?  

In our own heart, which leaps up with joy, 

we recognize Jesus, the Jesus Who is risen 

and still lives, even in our midst."

Dom Andre Louf (+2010)
Abbot - 35 years  - Cistercian monastery 
of Mont-des-Cats, France

Two-pronged path... to Christ (Easter Thursday)

...it is I myself.  Touch me and see... Luke 24:39a

 

"Those who are called to recognize the risen Jesus 

do so by following the same two-pronged path:  by the sacrament of Jesus' Body 

and that of His Word, touching Jesus' Body and understanding the Scriptures.  

These two sacraments, in a mysterious way, contain the risen One 
and at the same time in every Eucharist make Him present to all who believe.

How could we ever believe if Jesus Himself 

did not take the initiative to make it happen?  

How would we recognize Jesus in the sacrament of His Body and Blood 

if He Himself did not invite us to do this and if He did not tenderly 
wound our heart at the moment we receive Him?  
How would we find the risen One in His Word 

if He Himself did not open our mind and set our heart on fire every time 

He spoke to us through Scriptures?  

In our own heart, which leaps up with joy, 

we recognize Jesus, the Jesus Who is risen 

and still lives, even in our midst."

Dom Andre Louf (+2010)
Abbot - 35 years  - Cistercian monastery 
of Mont-des-Cats, France

Lose yourself in His immensity... (Easter Thursday)

You have made known to me the path of life;  

you will fill me with joy in your presence, 

with eternal pleasures at your right hand. - Psalm 16:11

"Oh, I love to reflect on the presence of God in a soul! To think that we are immersed in God, that we are in Him, that we live and move in Him, that it is He who sustains us and gives us life, and who gives us the being that we have! Without Him we would not be. What effect do such thoughts not produce is one’s soul?

I compare this presence of God to the atmosphere: at certain times the sky is covered with cirrus clouds, but if the weather is windy, these clouds are blown away and not a single one remains. Then the sky becomes splendid with brightness and beauty. You will notice the same thing when the sun appears in multiple rays.

So it is in the soul. If your interior is filled with a thousand things that worry you, that afflict you, that trouble you and paralyse your spirit, apply yourself to the presence of God. Surrender yourself to Him. Look at Him, and think only of Him. Recall His goodness and His mercies. Occupy yourself with His  greatnesses and His infinite perfections. 

Lose yourself in His adorable, divine immensity, and you will come to realise that all that was troubling you has been dispelled. And you will feel your soul in a surprising calmness and peace."

Mother Mectilde de Bar 

18 April 1694

Hat tip: Click here: Vultus Christi

 

Stained glass above:  St Bridget of Sweden Catholic Church ~ Van Nuys, California ~ USA.   Artist: Gerald Fecht 2010

Two-pronged path...to Christ! (Easter Thursday)

...it is I myself.  Touch me and see... Luke 24:39a

 

"Those who are called to recognize the risen Jesus do so by following the same two-pronged path:  by the sacrament of Jesus' Body and that of His Word, touching Jesus' Body and understanding the Scriptures.  These two sacraments, in a mysterious way, contain the risen One and at the same time in every Eucharist make Him present to all who believe.

How could we ever believe if Jesus Himself did not take the initiative to make it happen?  How would we recognize Jesus in the sacrament of His Body and Blood if He Himself did not invite us to do this and if He did not tenderly wound our heart at the moment we receive Him?  How would we find the risen One in His Word if He Himself did not open our mind and set our heart on fire every time He spoke to us through Scriptures?  In our own heart, which leaps up with joy, we recognize Jesus, the Jesus Who is risen and still lives, even in our midst."

Dom Andre Louf (+2010)

Abbot - 35 years  - Cistercian monastery

of Mont-des-Cats, France