Today is also the Optional Memoria of St Peter Julian Eymard, the nineteenth century priest known as the ‘Apostle of the Eucharist’ for his deep Eucharistic devotion. He said: ‘The great evil of our time is that people do not go to Jesus Christ as to their very Saviour and God. They abandon the only foundation, the only law, the only grace of salvation … What is to be done then? We must return to the fountain of life, and not just to the historical Jesus nor to the Jesus glorified in heaven, but rather to Jesus in the Eucharist …’

There is a challenge here to each one of us, truly to make the Eucharistic Jesus the focus and heart of our life, as to its fountain. Let us ask St Peter Julian to pray for us, and may God bless you this day with His abundant love.