AGONY OF JESUS IN THE SACRAMENT OF HIS LOVE

Divine Appeal Reflection - 203

Today, consider in Divine Appeal 203: "Truly, I tell you, in the Sacrament of My Love I am forced to walk through the streets, My head crowned with thorns, My eyes in tears of blood and My heart afflicted and broken into pieces."

Our Adorable Jesus moves through the streets, unnoticed and unacknowledged, His head pressed with thorns of our neglect, His eyes weeping tears of blood, and His Sacred Heart aching, torn apart by indifference. He is not speaking of a suffering long past—this is what He endures today. In the Eucharist, He is truly present, yet how often do we pass Him by, distracted by the world, too busy to stop and acknowledge Him? The Catechism reminds us that the Eucharist is the very sacrifice of Christ, made present for us (cf. CCC 1367), yet many approach it with indifference, receiving Him out of habit rather than love. Others ignore Him completely, leaving His churches empty, His presence forgotten. If we truly saw Him in our midst, wounded and weeping, how could we ever turn away?

The crown of thorns remains on His head, not of sharp branches, but of our neglect and rejection. Every time He is received without faith, every time a soul walks away from Him, He feels the piercing pain anew. St. Margaret Mary Alacoque revealed that His greatest suffering comes not from His enemies but from those who claim to love Him yet wound Him through coldness and ingratitude. Scripture cautions that we must approach the Eucharist with reverence since failing to do so would be a disgrace to His sacrifice (cf. 1 Cor 11:27). What if we replaced the thorns on His head with a crown of love? We could do this by receiving Him with a pure heart, visiting Him in adoration, and performing acts of atonement for those who reject Him.

His eyes are filled with tears of blood because He sees the world turning away. He weeps not for Himself, but for souls who refuse His love, who live without knowing Him, who do not realize they are starving for the very Bread of Life. Just as He once wept over Jerusalem, knowing the people would reject Him (cf. Lk 19:41-42), He weeps now for those who have forgotten the meaning of His sacrifice. How many people go through life never realizing that He is waiting for them in the tabernacle, longing for even a moment of their time? The Catechism points out that He remains in the Eucharist because He wishes to dwell among us (cf. CCC 1380), yet so often He is left alone. If we fully realized how deeply He loves us, wouldn't we rush to Him, fall at His feet, and say "Thank you"? 

His Sacred Heart does not break apart because humans are stronger than He; they break it by their very smallness-the love is too great to bear their refusal. He demands nothing from us but simply offers Himself and waits. What can we do to console Him? Making time for Him, sitting with Him in Adoration, receiving Him in the Eucharist with devotion, and sharing His love with others are all things we may do. We have the freedom to show our love for Him by deeds of sacrifice, forgiveness, and kindness as much as by words. Our Adorable Jesus should not have to walk through the streets alone, carrying the weight of our neglect. Let us be the ones who recognize Him, who stay with Him, who love Him back.

Prayer

Our Adorable Jesus, You wander through the world, unseen and unwelcomed, carrying the weight of our forgetfulness. Forgive us for the moments we have left You alone. Kindle in us a burning love for Your Eucharistic presence, that we may seek You, honor You, and offer You the comfort of our hearts.

Sr. Anna Ali of the Most Holy Eucharist, intercede for us.