Saintly Musings: The Best Time of the Day
At Mass one day, after distributing Holy Communion, Saint Philip Neri saw a man leave the church just moments after he had received the Eucharist. The man seemed to lack awareness of the Real Presence of Jesus in the consecrated host he had just received. The good priest felt he had to do something to help the man understand how disrespectful his action was, so he quickly asked two altar boys to take their lighted candles and follow the man through the streets of Rome. Soon, the man realized the altar boys were following him. Puzzled, he returned to the church to ask Fr. Neri about it.
Saint Philip told the man, "We must pay proper respect to Our Lord, whom you are carrying away with you.
Since you neglected to adore Him, I sent two acolytes to take your place." The man was deeply touched by these words, and resolved to be more aware of Jesus' presence in his heart after each Holy Communion.
Our Lord Jesus is truly and substantially present in the Eucharist, and the minutes following Communion are 'golden moments' when we can have a heartfelt conversation with Him. He is present in our souls to listen to our every petition, carry our every burden, and bestow every grace we need. Let us be mindful of His loving presence, and spend at least a few minutes in thanksgiving and adoration after each Holy Communion.
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