This Eucharistic Meditation has been prepared as a gift to our bishops and priests in gratitude for their ministerial priesthood and gift of self to Jesus and his bride, the Church.
THE GRACE I SEEK: to more deeply understand the anointing I have received
IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. AMEN.
Pause for a few moments, and allow yourself to become aware of Jesus’ gift of himself in the Eucharist. Realize that at this very moment, the Lord of Life is gazing upon you with great love. Allow yourself to receive his loving gaze. You are his beloved child . . . rest in his loving gaze.
Thank Jesus for the gift of himself in the Eucharist.
ASK FOR THE GRACE: Jesus, help me to deepen my priestly identity and more freely bring you to every person I encounter.
Read slowly, 3–4 times. Allow the words of Scripture to wash over your mind and heart. Allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you through this passage.
“The Spirit of the LORD God is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; He has sent me...” (Isaiah 61:1a)
Allow yourself to sit with these questions for a while, being attentive to how the Lord is speaking in your heart.
How have you experienced the power of the Blood of the Lamb in your ministerial priesthood? Can you sense his loving mercy for you and his intimate companionship? Allow Jesus to share with you a new depth of his own intimacy with God the Father, who gazes upon you as a beloved son.
Read slowly, 3–4 times. Again, allow the words of Scripture to wash over your mind and heart. Let the Holy Spirit speak to you through this passage.
“Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. He said to them, ‘Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.’” (Luke 4:20–21)
Every day, at every moment, the Father is longing to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah in your life. You have been chosen, and he longs to meet his people through you. You act in persona Christi Capitis. What is one way that the Lord has strengthened you in your priestly identity this Lent? Thank him for this incredible gift!
Remain in silence with the Lord. Allow him to speak in the silence, in your heart. Receive his presence. If it helps, write down what you sense the Lord communicating to you during this time of prayer.
O God, who anointed your Only Begotten Son with the Holy Spirit and made him Christ and Lord, graciously grant that, being made sharers in his consecration, we may bear witness to your Redemption in the world. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect, Holy Thursday Chrism Mass)
At every Mass, Jesus offers himself to the Father for us. We can always join our own offerings with Jesus at Mass. This Sunday, offer your desire to be strengthened in your identity as a priest of Jesus Christ: one who is chosen, anointed, and sent.
Would you like to print a copy of this resource to bring with you to the chapel for prayer? Click here to download the Eucharistic Meditations in English or Spanish.
