Jesus said in the gospel, “unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood, you will have no life in you.” These words are an invitation to a deeper union with him, and the Eucharist offers us the opportunity for this personal encounter. In the first reading, Paul encounters Christ on his way to Damascus, leading to his conversion and full communion with the Lord, and becoming a chosen instrument for the unceasing proclamation of the gospel. As Christians, we can take solace in knowing that as we encounter Christ in the Eucharist, he feels our sufferings and will deliver us from all our afflictions and trials as he delivered Paul. Today we celebrate the memorial of St. Louis Marie de Montfort, a priest who encountered Jesus through devotion to Mary. He founded many religious congregations and preached about the rosary ardently. His motto, Totius Tuus (I Am All Thine), indicates total surrender to God’s will. Let us imitate St. Louis by relying on the intercession of Mary to encounter Christ in the Eucharist.

PRAYER: Dearest Lord, take me deeper in love with you that I may never be separated from your body and blood in the Eucharist. Amen.