SECOND MEDITATION FOR LENT
And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, "A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house." And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief. (Matt. 13:57-58)
In what way could Jesus Christ have been a source of scandal to them, unless it were by disguising Himself too much among them and being too liberal with them? The love which He bears us is excessive, it knows no moderation; but His love which should have gained for Him the hearts of all men, brings Him into contempt with many. Those among whom He had lived longest are those who know Him least and who render themselves most unworthy of His graces; and, as it is only among strangers that He finds faithful servants, it is only among them also that He works His greatest miracles and pours out His favors most liberally.
It is strange that a prophet is not without honor except in his own country, in his own house; but it is much more strange that Jesus Christ receives so many outrages in His own house, that He is so little known by those among whom He dwells unceasingly, and so little loved even by those to whom He is known. It is strange that when He opens to us all His treasures in the Blessed Sacrament, that when He gives Himself to us, we feel so little the marvelous effects of His presence; that those who approach oftenest and nearest to Him are not always the holiest nor those who love Him the most. It is strange that Jesus Christ, who is continually among us, works so few miracles, that He is to some an object of scandal. But will it be not still more strange if I myself, in spite of making all these reflections today, do not love Jesus Christ more, if I am insensible to the outrages which He receives in the Blessed Sacrament, and if I do not use all possible means to make reparation for them?
[From 'The Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus' by Fr. John Croiset, SJ]
In what way could Jesus Christ have been a source of scandal to them, unless it were by disguising Himself too much among them and being too liberal with them? The love which He bears us is excessive, it knows no moderation; but His love which should have gained for Him the hearts of all men, brings Him into contempt with many. Those among whom He had lived longest are those who know Him least and who render themselves most unworthy of His graces; and, as it is only among strangers that He finds faithful servants, it is only among them also that He works His greatest miracles and pours out His favors most liberally.
It is strange that a prophet is not without honor except in his own country, in his own house; but it is much more strange that Jesus Christ receives so many outrages in His own house, that He is so little known by those among whom He dwells unceasingly, and so little loved even by those to whom He is known. It is strange that when He opens to us all His treasures in the Blessed Sacrament, that when He gives Himself to us, we feel so little the marvelous effects of His presence; that those who approach oftenest and nearest to Him are not always the holiest nor those who love Him the most. It is strange that Jesus Christ, who is continually among us, works so few miracles, that He is to some an object of scandal. But will it be not still more strange if I myself, in spite of making all these reflections today, do not love Jesus Christ more, if I am insensible to the outrages which He receives in the Blessed Sacrament, and if I do not use all possible means to make reparation for them?
[From 'The Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus' by Fr. John Croiset, SJ]
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