With some flexibility in the reading and interpretation of the Word of God, Fr Claret places this beautiful expression on Jesus’ lips: “Eat, and you will be like gods. You will be like me, who am God and man.” It might seem daring, it might seem unheard of exaggeration and, in effect, it is. But it has its explanation in other words from the Gospel, in the meeting of Jesus with Nicodemus, at night and in secret, so as not to be found out. The words are these: ‘God so loved the world that he gave his only Son that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but may have eternal life.’ (Jn 3:16) This means that ‘where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.’ (Rm 5:20) And this means, in turn, that God’s love has bubbled up in us by the effusion of the Holy Spirit over us.
All this becomes reality in each believer in the measure in which they grow closer to the source of living water, which is the sacrament in which this love of God is concentrated, which leads us, little by little, to the heights of the mystic: there where the believer is joined in an embrace of love and tenderness with the One and Triune God, who has created, redeemed and sanctified us, and continues to carry out this mysterious work day by day, until full communion, without veil or dwindling, with our Lord and God, who gave his life for us.
Ask yourself if you are aware of your dignity as a Christian, committed with Christ and with the Gospel, and if you really live ‘hidden with Christ in God’ (Col 3:3), growing day by day in fidelity.
Ask yourself if, in your prayer, in your family and working relationships, and in your rest, you live your identity as a consecrated Christian, make your faith explicit, show yourself hoping and practise the commandment of fraternal love.