Almost Magic
“He could not escape notice.”
An excerpt from the Catholic Education Resource Center: In 1995, Father Michael White was invited to organize the Pope's visit to Baltimore on behalf of the archdiocese. Prior to the Holy Father's arrival, the chief organizer for papal pilgrimages, Father Roberto Tucci, SJ, came to Maryland to scout out the venues and make the necessary arrangements for John Paul's trip. When he arrived at the archbishop's residence, he noticed that one of the doors in the hallway the Pope would pass through opened into a chapel with the Blessed Sacrament.
He instructed Father White, "Keep that door closed so he doesn't know there's a chapel in there." Upon the Pope's arrival, the door was closed, and John Paul took some time to eat and rest at the residence. When it was time to leave, he walked down the hall, which was lined with doors leading into various rooms, passed by the door of the chapel, then suddenly stopped. He looked back at the door, then looked over at Father Tucci, and without saying a word, wagged his finger at him and shook his head.*
Jesus could not escape St. John Paul II’s notice.
But, all too often, He escapes mine. Sisters, may we all strive to be like St. JPII - to be that aware of the Lord’s presence. Can you imagine being so intimate with Jesus that you can feel His presence through a closed door? It’s almost magic.
Today, I’m praying for a magical awareness of God’s presence. I’m praying for a magical, mystical awareness of Jesus. I want to be like St. JPII - to feel Jesus’ presence from behind a closed door. I want to notice when He’s in the room. I want to stand in awe, to gaze in wonder at Him. I don’t want Jesus to escape my notice.
*For the full article, visit: https://www.catholiceducation.org/en/faith-and-character/faith-and-character/john-paul-ii-and-the-blessed-sacrament.html
Father,
Thank You for making Yourself available to us at every moment. Thank You for coming to us in the Eucharist. Thank You for the gift of Your presence.
God, help us to live in constant awareness of Your presence. Teach us how to lean towards You at every moment. Help us to be magically aware of You and Your presence and to wonder at Your glory.
God, we love You. Help us keep our hearts turned towards You always. Amen.