Reflecting on today’s Gospel, imagine Mary Magdalene’s confusion upon discovering Jesus’ tomb empty and the Apostles’ alarm. They did not yet understand that he had emerged from the tomb under his power, resurrected as foretold in the Scriptures – Risen to save us all.

This image takes me back to when I visited that very tomb at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher a few years ago. I had driven from San Antonio to Houston for my flight to the Holy Land, and I stopped along the way to attend Mass and receive Holy Communion in the small town of Luling. Two days later, I was again at Mass, kneeling outside the tomb as a priest went into the tomb to consecrate the bread and wine. Moments later, he emerged with the Host held high above his head, which was breathtaking. Here was Christ, emerging again, about to enter human souls – to change and save them.

And then it struck me.

The Eucharist I was about to receive in this holiest of holy places was no different than the Body of Christ I received in that small Texas town. How blessed are we that He is near no matter where we are? In his passion to bring the Eucharist to the world, Saint Peter Julian Eymard made it possible for us to receive our Lord daily. He shared with us that “Jesus has prepared not just one Host, but one for every day of our life. Let us not forfeit even one of them.”

We can consume the resurrected Christ, keeping him in our lives and bodies. During this Easter Season, will you embrace this God-given opportunity to be fully present to Jesus Christ in the Eucharist?

Let us Pray:

I bless the Lord who counsels me; even in the night, my heart exhorts me. I set the Lord ever before me. (Psalm 16)