Honoring Jesus in the Eucharist
My God … You will inspire in me the keenest presence of mind before the most holy Eucharist … and that you will make mine a life of perpetual preparation, participation, and thanksgiving in the infinite fruits of the most holy Eucharist. (OOCC, X, p. 722; STA, 528)
St. Vincent Pallotti had a deep devotion to the Lord Jesus in the Eucharist. For him, the Eucharist consisted of the total and actual presence of the Lord Jesus. He encountered the Eucharistic Lord, not only at the time of the celebration of the Eucharist, but also many times during the day through spiritual communion with him. He often attempted to have a keen presence of mind before the Eucharistic Lord. St. Vincent Pallotti spent his daily life in perpetual preparation for the participation in and thanksgiving for the infinite blessings he received from the Lord. Whatever he performed in a day was viewed as a constant preparation for his reception of the Eucharist. He performed every action in such a way that it became worthy of Jesus in the Eucharist. Second, all his actions were done as a perpetual participation in the Eucharist. In other words, every act he performed was done so as to facilitate him in his communion with the Eucharistic Lord. Third, every action of St. Vincent was done as an act of thanksgiving for the blessings the Lord showered on him. Thus, the totality of the everyday life of St. Vincent was totally centered on the Eucharist. Centering his life on the Eucharist not only made St. Vincent’s life meaningful, but also fruitful.
Do I honor Jesus in the Eucharist with deep devotion and love? Do I maintain a relationship of communion with Jesus in the Eucharist? Do I spend my life in perpetual preparation for, participation in and thanksgiving for the Eucharistic Lord? Do I center every activity of my daily life in the Eucharist?
Enter his gates with thanksgiving, his courts with praise; give thanks to him; bless his name. (Ps. 100: 4)