“You will find strength in the Eucharist—my Son who feeds you with His Body and strengthens you with His Blood…”
Certainly Our Lady saw what was coming and how the world would react. Her words were prophetic and a grace for those who took them seriously and lived them.
(Medjugorje photo taken 1988) – Here, in 1988, two lines form for Holy Communion, in the dirt fields behind St. James Church in Medjugorje. A Friend of Medjugorje, who took this picture, tells that everything in the early years of Medjugorje was spontaneous, inspired by the Holy Spirit, without too much fanfare and structure. Those who went to Medjugorje in these earlier years often told about how the grace literally “hit” them when they stepped foot in the village.
It was prophetic that Our Lady in Medjugorje spoke to us about the power of the Eucharist, shortly before many would be denied Communion because of their parishes closing to the public. Thinking of our own history, we know the great power of Holy Communion, especially recalling the time that the Eucharist saved a Friend of Medjugorje’s life. Yet, while many are without Holy Communion physically, we read what a Friend of Medjugorje wrote in the Caritas Community rule, A Way in a New Time, about the proper perspective towards the Eucharist:
Adoration of the most Holy Sacrament, Jesus, and Holy Mass are the first sources of strength in helping to lead us to understanding God’s call to be a pure and holy people, humble and true before God, as well as to strengthen us in withstanding all trials… It is to no avail for us in community to attend Mass and not change our lives, not grow in humility and love. There is often much pride in daily communicants that the physical action of going to daily Mass makes one better than others. For us in community, humility must be its fruit, not an attendance record.
– a Friend of Medjugorje
#24, A Way in A New Time – September 2001
– See here for more about Community and “A Way in a New Time”
Perhaps many who have been counting their Masses as an attendance record are being humbled by this pandemic, and those who were growing in humility from the Eucharist, have been living off the grace of Jesus’ presence in their hearts. We pray that as we read Our Lady’s prophetic words of February 2, 2020, that no matter what, this entire circumstance is making everyone live in deeper humility, respect and love for Jesus’ True Presence in the Eucharist.
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