The Prophet Isaiah sees the presence of God in the midst of his people through Emmanuel; the evangelist Matthew sees fulfilled in Jesus the “God with us” (Mt 1, 23), the one who will accompany us till the end of the world (Mt 28, 20). From this point of view the Eucharist should be understood, the lively presence of Jesus: “Do this in memory of me” (Lk 22, 19) is a call for us to celebrate His presence among us. This is how Claret lives it in his strong Eucharistic spirituality that began in his infancy and had its highest point in the “great grace” of the continuous conservation of the sacred species in his heart (Aut 694).

A deep human encounter leads to mutual knowledge and love. Presence in love is the deepest. The Eucharist is for us the lively presence of Jesus only if we live in an intimate relationship with Him through knowledge and love. Fr. Claret described it like this in his experience as a child: “I would talk alone with the Lord. With great faith, trust and love I would speak to God, my good Father” (Aut 40). Then as a grownup he would say that he ‘had to tear himself away’ from the presence of Jesus the Eucharist (Aut 767).

Claret speaks of Eucharistic “fervour”; a word that means etymologically something related to heat, fire, and passion, “effervescent”…It will be the consequence of having experienced in the Eucharist this presence and loving devotion of Jesus; it will be the natural acknowledgement for having given himself to us and for having stayed with us. The manifestations of this fervour can be expressed in various forms: strictly from the point of view of worship (Mass with communion, visits to the Blessed Sacrament…) to the burning exercise of charity with the brothers, a reflection of the love of Jesus.

How is our love and reverence to the Eucharistic mystery? Do we have the experience of silent adoration before the Blessed Sacrament? What predominates in your communion, the contemplative silence or the dialogue with the Lord who is present in you?