Had Jesus left us nothing but the Gospel, our remembrances likely would be wrought with nostalgia. Had that had been so, He would no longer be with us, seated only in heaven at the right hand of the Father after His ascension.

How different Jesus made certain to make it for us!

The Eucharist makes the presence of Jesus with us a permanent presence. In the Sacred Host that is consecrated every Holy Mass, we find:

• the same Jesus whom Mary brought into the world, whom the shepherds found wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger, whom the magi came to adore;
• whom Mary and Joseph nurtured and watched grow before their eyes;
• the Jesus who called the Apostles to follow Him, who captivated and taught the multitudes, who performed the most startling miracles; who said He was both the “light” and the “life” of the world
• who forgave Magdalen and raised Lazarus from the dead; who for love of us sweat blood, received the traitor’s kiss, was made one fearful grusome wound and died on the Cross;
• that same Jesus who rose again and appeared to the Apostles and in whose wounds Thomas put his finger;
• who ascended into heaven and now is seated in glory at the right hand of His Father, and who, in union with the Father sends us the Holy Spirit!

Here on earth we are never closer to Jesus than when we are in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament of the altar.