Recently I saw the movie Jesus Thirsts: The Miracle of the Eucharist. During the movie, I confirmed something that I regret. I expended a lot of time and energy over the years searching for something I did not have when all I really had to do was turn to Jesus.
So many among us are turning every which way to find fulfillment, except the way that truly fulfills. Jesus is the way. He will not disappoint. When we turn to Jesus, we turn to love—the greatest love we will ever experience.
However, for many, including myself, the Lord’s love is hard to handle because of its greatness. “For our God is a consuming fire” [Hebrews 12:29]. By not turning to Jesus wholeheartedly, I was turning away the love of God.
Facing Reality
I must admit I have spent a lot of time daydreaming. Whatever my life lacked or whenever it did not measure up to my expectations, I daydreamed to fill it in. Not that my life has been bad; just very average and ordinary, bordering on boring. That was my reality.
Oftentimes, I daydreamed in church. No wonder my thoughts and prayers, as well as my relationship with our Lord, were superficial. No wonder the Word of God, the inspiration to turn to Jesus, could not fully take hold within me.
The time I wasted on frivolous, fleeting fantasies and other distractions, I could have spent in contemplation. To go beyond life’s surface and into the depth of faith centers us in our Lord, giving us the strength to face reality. By daydreaming, I avoided all of it.
How much time do we spend not facing the here and now of our individual lives? How much time do we spend not deepening our relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? “Those who engage in idle pursuits will have plenty of want” [Proverbs 28:19]. At times, I want to kick myself for all the detours I have taken along my faith’s journey.
The Way
And yet, the Lord always has brought me back to his path. First, by drawing me to his Blessed Mother. Jesus gives us Mary who then leads us back to Christ her Son for our salvation. Mary gave her complete yes to God with no preconditions, and never frittered away her time. With Mary’s guidance and prayerful intercession, we can do the same, regardless of how long it takes.
Our faith’s journey is a lifelong process. Like any loving, secure relationship, our relationship with our Lord requires effort to flourish. Effort takes time. We disappoint ourselves particularly when we expect instant gratification with our earthly demands.
Therefore, with Our Lady’s help, along with many prayers, penance, and spiritual direction, I have learned to recognize our Lord’s actions in my life. I now willingly turn to Jesus as I face the reality of my imperfections. Through it all, our Lord has gently consumed me and continues to consume me—renewing me—with his love.
In turn, when I consume the Holy Eucharist and sit before the Blessed Sacrament in adoration, instead of daydreams, I have hopes of loving Jesus more for all the love he has given and continues to give to me. “So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come” [2 Corinthians 5:17]. Amen!
The post Turn to Jesus appeared first on Catholic Stand.
Click this link for the original source of this article.
Author: Carol Monaco
This content is courtesy of, and owned and copyrighted by, https://catholicstand.com and its author. This content is made available by use of the public RSS feed offered by the host site and is used for educational purposes only. If you are the author or represent the host site and would like this content removed now and in the future, please contact USSANews.com using the email address in the Contact page found in the website menu.