- JESUS in the Ho]y Eucharist is the "Good Shepherd" (John x. 11), Who, in order that Hjs sheep may know Him better, comes Himself to feed them.
- But, perchance, we may have wandered far from the Eucharistic fold.
- Let us hear His voice, and He will lead us into "a place of pasture" (Ps. xxii. 2), and nourish us with a divine wheat, even His own sacred flesh.
CONSIDERATIONS
"I am the Good Shepherd. The good shepherd giveth his life for his sheep" (John x. 11). The title of shepherd, which Jesus here assumes, presents Him to us under an image most peculiarly fitted to excite our confidence, because it depicts His love for us so admirably. It is especially at the altar and at holy communion, that Jesus shows Himself our Shepherd, and acts as such to wards us.
But He does more than any shepherd has ever done. Instead of feeding upon the flesh of His flock, He feeds His flock with His flesh and gives them to drink of His precious blood. Without the Holy Eucharist, something would have been wanting to the reality of that title of shepherd which Jesus has assumed. The sacred Host endows Him with a character so touching, that, in meditating upon all that Jesus does for us, the pious heart is melted into tears of love and devotion before the altar.
The divine Shepherd abides with us always; the tabernacle is His tent. During the long hours of the day and night He watches and guards us; He protects and defends His sheep. From the quiet sanctuary He extends His vigilant protection over each one of us. His look of love follows us, and when, our prayers ended, we return to our various occupations, He blesses us, He accompanies us, and soon His gentle grace brings us back again to His feet.
0 Jesus, give me grace to remain near Thee, and like a sickly, feeble sheep needing Thy constant care, take me close to Thy sacred heart. "Let us endeavor," said St. Teresa, "not to wander far from our dear Shepherd; for the sheep that keep near the shepherd are always the most caressed, the best fed, and they often receive some chosen dainty from the shepherd's own repast." Let our fidelity entitle us to receive some tender caress from Jesus. The world intervenes to entice us away from our Shepherd, but the faithful sheep know not the voice of strangers.
"The good shepherd giveth his life for his sheep." Jesus did not flee from the face of death. His love led Him even to the cross, from whence His blood has flowed upon His sheepfold; that is, His Church. He embraces with joy upon the altar the daily sacrifice of His whole being. He does not hide Himself from the humiliation, insult, and raillery which have too often been His portion in the tabernacle. Even now, were it necessary, He would give His life again for the conversion of every sinful soul. But He can die no more; for His one perfect sacrifice abideth forever, and we can apply it to ourselves, by means of the sacraments, especially by means of holy communion.
"The good shepherd walketh before his sheep." Instead of driving His flock before Him, Our Lord draws them gently after Him. But where does He lead His sheep? He leads them to heaven, by the "upper chamber" and by Calvary. He is with them-leads them in sufferings, so that they are joyfully endured. He pays frequent visits to the sick among His flock. He walks before us on the path of perfection, for He is Himself the perfect Example and Pattern of every virtue.
0 sweet Shepherd! how great a price hast Thou paid for me, Thy poor sheep; how hast Thou wearied Thyself in bringing e into Thy fold, not once only, but many times, when I had foolishly strayed away from it. I am sorry for Thy sufferings and fatigue. I will follow Thee, wherever Thou shalt lead me. I will never more wander from Thy ways. 0 my Jesus! Remain with me always, and I will walk with docility in the path of love and gratitude, though it be marked with my blood.
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0 Good Shepherd! Do Thou calm all my sorrows; do Thou heal all my wounds; do Thou feed me often with the "food of angels," that nourishes my soul and gives it life eternal.
Our Lady of the Most Holy Sacrament, Mother and model of adorers, pray for us, who have recourse to thee.
St. Joseph, pray for us, that, like thee, we may die in the arms of Jesus and Mary.
PRAYER TO THE HOLY GHOST
0 Holy Ghost, Thon Teacher and Sanctifier:, Who givest light and strength to my soul, bless me that I may be more faithful to Jesus, my Saviour and my God, Who is hidden in the Blessed Sacrament, and that I may love Him more and more. In the light of the tabernacle I ask of Thee, 0 Holy Spirit. to fill my heart with pure desire for Jesus, the Living Bread. Give me grace to adore Him with the zeal and humble veneration of the holy angels; grant that His will may be done on earth as it is in heaven, and that His will be done in my soul. Help me to thank Him for all His gifts, and, most of all, for Himself. By this Holy Sacrament He strengthens souls on earth, gives rest to souls in purgatory, and gladdens souls in heaven. He is the hidden manna, promised by Himself to all who overcome themselves and love Him. May I taste the sweetness of Jesus! Set up more and more Thy kingdom in my soul, that I may keep my body under and bring it to subjection, lest I should be a castaway from Jesus and from Thee.
SPIRTUAL COMMUNION
0 Jesus, my Saviour, Who art truly present in the Blessed Sacrament for the nourishment of our souls! since I cannot now receive Thee sacramentally, I humbly and earnestly beseech Thee to refresh me spiritually. I love Thee above all things and I desire to possess Thee within my soul. Come into my mind to illumine it with the light of heaven; come into my heart to enkindle therein the fire of Thy love. Unite me so intimately with Thee, that it may be no more I that live, but Thou that livest and reigneth in me forever.
FRUIT OF THE VISIT
I. Behold Christ seated in thy heart as the " Good Shepherd," calling thee to come near to Hirn, that He may caress thee and shower His special favors upon thee: behold thyself as His unloving loved one, ever wandering away from the true fold and running after the flocks of evil associates.
II. Love Him more than the senseless and unsatisfying pleasures of the flesh, that so thou mayest crucify thy flesh with its vices and desires.
III. Ask Him for the virtue of "Temperance," that thou mayest rule and restrain all evil desires, and mayest know how to observe moderation in all things.
ASPIRATION
"I found Him Whom my soul lovcth: I held Him, and I will not let Him go" (Cant. iii. 4).
EUCHARISTIC GEMS
Our Lord, the Good Shepherd, gave His life for the sheep, that in our sacrament He might give us His body and blood, and that He might feed with the nourishment 0£ His own flesh the 3b.eep whom He had redeemed.-ST. GREGORY.
From sinful wandering., I return:
No more, no more, from Thee to roam;
Thy contrite child: ah! do no spurn
Sweet Jesus, take the wanderer home.
Pure, meek, and humble let me be,
And guileless as the simple dove;
Thyself in others let me see,
For Thee both friends and foes I'll love.