Dormant Faith and Self-Love Hinder the Fruits of Communion
Marmion examines why Communion sometimes seems to bear no fruit, and answers that the obstacle lies not in the sacrament but in us: dormant faith and the lack of the gift of self. But he makes a consoling distinction — the hindrance is not our weakness, but self-love.
"God does not call us to come into contact with supernatural realities through feelings." — Blessed Columba Marmion.
Many are dissatisfied because their Communions no longer seem to produce any effect. Marmion heard this complaint from devout souls and answers that the problem is not in the bread: this bread come down from heaven contains every spiritual savor. If the fruit does not appear, the obstacle is in us.
▸ When faith is dormant — the Eucharist is the mysterium fidei: only faith passes beyond the appearances of bread and wine. And to those who suffer because they feel nothing in Communion, Marmion answers: do not be troubled in the least.
▸ The insufficiency of the gift of self — Communion means union with Jesus, and this union is not achieved in a heart that closes itself to its neighbor through a lack of charity or forgiveness. Would it not be false to unite oneself to the Head while distancing oneself from His members?
▸ What is not an obstacle — neither our infirmity nor our moral miseries, when we lament them instead of clinging to them. What hinders is self-love.
The model of the gift of self is in Christ — Ecce venio, behold, I come — and the Virgin's answer to the angel echoes it: Ecce ancilla, behold, the handmaid of the Lord. Marmion calls this disposition eminently priestly, and reminds the priest of what was asked of him at his ordination: Imitamini quod tractatis, imitate what you handle with your hands. To pray for priests is to ask that the haste of ministry may never rob them of each morning's encounter.
After the meditation, we pray together the Prayer to Saint Joseph for the Holy Church, composed by Pope Leo XIII. And at the end, receive God's blessing.
🙏 The Love of the Heart of Jesus is a weekly journey of prayer and reflection on the priesthood, streamed live every Thursday. An offering of the Oblates of Christ the Redeemer Apostolate.
✝️ Subscribe, turn on notifications 🔔 and share with someone who needs to pray for priests.
🕒 CHAPTERS
00:00 – Opening