Do This in Memory of Me: Keep Your Love Burning

By: Laura Catherine Worhacz

“I accept your heart and give you my own, on condition that you keep the fire of your love burning. As our Lord has spoken, so must you do. He made you completely as you are, so that you can be totally his.” – (Saint Peter Julian Eymard, Paris 1863)
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Dearest Eucharistic Family,
 
This past week my husband found out on Facebook that a second cousin from Upstate NY was in a severe car accident and in ICU. We called his wife to extend our concern. We hung up the phone as if we received a spiritual “pep talk” after hearing, “God has a plan, and we will learn from this. So many have come to bring me food and comfort; I do not know how people live without God; Jesus is with us holding our hands through this trial; we are strong in God and will get through. Our parish priest and community are with us...” We received this message from our cousin in a genuine, joyful tone. A faithful heart amid suffering came from a dedicated sacramental life—a life that lives for God, one’s own family, and community—responsibly stewarding the privilege to be in Christ Jesus through the heart of Mary. 
 
We called our cousin to extend our love and received a loving, faithful heart of hope and gratitude in return.
 
It is beautiful to witness the love of God found in Christ Jesus, our Lord. 

“Now who is going to harm you if you are enthusiastic for what is good? But even if you should suffer because of righteousness, blessed are you. Do not be afraid or terrified with fear of them, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks.” ( 1 Peter 3:13-15) 

For sure, we are baptized into our eternal reality. The Eucharist is our hope to be purified into the Sacramental grace, our doorway of hope in the midst of suffering. In the above excerpt, we hear the words of Saint Peter Julian advising us, to be totally given to Jesus. To be love, burning with zeal, like fire in a heart that longs to return love for love. 
 
It seems like an eternity from one Daily Mass to the next. Prayer reminds us of the Liturgy and the Eucharist we have received. In this pattern of prayer with Mary, we remain faithful to be totally given to God.
 
We are weeks away from another Lenten Season. We have time in ordinary time to listen to the voice of God in his Word to prepare for another desert experience. As we open our hearts, let us be elevated with the Sacred Host; raise our hearts to see Heaven now. By death, we find life anew and a doorway of grace to what has been hidden in our hearts. 
 
Our hearts beat with the Sacred Host by the Incarnate life, and we are called out of ourselves daily to let Jesus be known through our existence. The scriptures this past week remind us of conversion, the conversion of St. Paul and his fatherly care to St. Timothy and St. Titus. It brought to mind so many who have ministered to me to learn the teaching of our Catholic faith. The greatest gift I have ever received was finding myself in church, where there was the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament almost 25 years ago. It was then an intimate relationship with Christ through the heart of Mary was found. As Catholics, we are blessed to be in a spiritual conversion forever. Baptized in this life unto the next, purgatory, and please God, the fullness of Heaven. 
 
May all we have found in the mystery of God be professed in every situation, in all we do and speak. Our words are important and may invite another soul to come to know the love of God found in the Holy Eucharist. 

“We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” (Romans 8:28-29)
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Laura Catherine Worhacz

Laura Catherine Worhacz is a Lay Associate of the Blessed Sacrament and author of Consecration to Jesus Through Our Lady of The Blessed Sacrament. She is also the Director of Mothers of The Blessed Sacrament. She lives in Trinity, FL with her husband and their two daughters.