April 24th, 2018

John 6:53-69
Christ Jesus, within thy wounds hide me….
                     
In Holy Communion Jesus’ own sacrificial body and blood become part of me, and I become transformed by God’s amazing sacrifice of his own Son. How does this happen? St. Ignatius’ prayer, the Anima Christe, draws us into the depths of this mystery. “O sweet Jesus, within they wounds hide me…” When I become hidden within the wounds of Christ, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” My own wounds and offenses (both given and received) are then swallowed up by Christ’s tremendous sufferings to produce their fruits of sanctity and joy. Similarly when I remain hidden in within the wounds of Christ, my pride and success in anything I do or say (or write), or have, is put into perspective as merely one drop in the ocean of God’s faithfulness.  Am I committed to truly entering into the woundedness of Christ by consuming his body and blood, or will I, like the majority of the crowd in Jesus’ day and in our own, walk away from Holy Communion to continue on our various paths of personal retribution, self-righteousness and accomplishments?  Christ Jesus, within thy wounds hide me.   
 
What shall I return to the Lord for all his bounty to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.   (Psalm 116:1)
  
Anima Christe
Spirit of Christ, sanctify me,
Body of Christ, save me,
Blood of Christ, inebriate me,
Water from the side of Christ, wash me,
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O sweet Jesus, within thy wounds hide me,
Let me never be separated from you;
From the evil one defend me.
And when I come to die, bid me come to you,
That with the angels and saints I might praise your name forever.
 
St. Ignatius of Loyola
 
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Soli ad gloriam Dei