THE EUCHARISTIC VEIL

Cur faciem tuam abscondis?
Why hidest Thou Thy face? (Job xiii. 24.)

I
WHY is our Lord veiled beneath the Sacred Species in the Most Blessed Sacrament?

It is difficult to get accustomed to this hidden state of our Lord. We must frequently insist upon this truth; for we must believe firmly and practically that although our Lord Jesus Christ is veiled, He is really and substantially present in the Holy Eucharist.

But why this silent presence, this impenetrable veil? 'We are often tempted to say: "Lord, show us Thy face!"

Our Lord makes us feel His power; He draws us to Himself; He keeps us respectful; but we do not see Him. And it would be so sweet, so good to hear words from our Lord's lips!

What a consolation for us were He to show Himself! What an assurance of being His friend! For He would supposedly show Himself only to those He loves.

II
WELL, our Lord is more lovable when hidden than if He were to show Himself. He is more eloquent when silent than if He were to speak. And what we look upon as a punishment is an effect of His love and goodness.

Yes, if He were to show Himself as He is, we would be unhappy; the contrast of His virtues, of His glory would humiliate us. We would say: "What! A Father so good, with children so miserable!" We would not dare approach Him or show ourselves. Now that we know only His kindness, we come at least without fear.

And everybody comes to Him. Let us suppose that our Lord were to manifest Himself to the good only,-----for since His Resurrection He cannot reveal Himself to sinners-----who would dare rank himself among the good? Who would not dread coming to church lest Jesus Christ, on not finding him good enough, would not manifest Himself to him? People would grow envious of one another. The proud alone would dare think enough of themselves to come to our Lord.

Whereas under the present order of things everyone has equal rights and can take it for granted that he is loved.

III
BUT PERHAPS the sight of our Lord's glory would convert us?

No, no! We cannot convert people by dazzling them. The Jews became idolaters at the foot of a flaming Sinai; the Apostles talked nonsense on Mount Thabor.

We would be either frightened or elated by our Lord's glory, but not converted. The Jewish people were afraid to come near Moses after his face shone with Divine light. "No, Lord, please remain hidden; that is better for us. I can thus draw near to Thee and at least hope that Thou lovest me since Thou drivest me not away."

But would not the great power of His words convert us?

The Jews heard our Lord for three years; were they converted? A mere handful of them. The human words of our Lord, those that strike the ear, will not convert us; the words of His grace will. Now, our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament speaks to our heart, and that ought to be enough for us, for His words are real.

IV
BUT if I could at least experience our Lord's love, some of its ardent flames, I would love Him much more; they would transform my heart and set it ablaze with love!

We mistake feeling for love. When we ask our Lord to make us love Him, we expect Him to make us feel that we love Him.

Things would come to a sorry pass were He to listen to us. No! Love means sacrifice, the gift of our will and submission to that of God.

The virtue of strength is the fruit of Eucharistic contemplation and of Communion,-----which is perfect union with Jesus. The sweetness of it is short-lived; strength alone endures. And what are we in need of against ourselves and the world if not strength? Strength brings us peace.

Do you not feel at peace in the presence of our Lord? That proves that you love Him. What more do you want?

When two friends get together, they spend their time looking at each other and in telling their love for each other. They are wasting their time; for their affection is not thereby increased. But separate them for a while; they will think of each other and recall each other's face; they long for each other.

The same is true of our Lord. What did the Apostles do during the three years they lived with Him?

He has hidden Himself in order to have us ponder over His goodness and His virtues; in order that our love might become serious, disengaged from the senses, content with the strength and peace of God.

LET us sum up what we have said. Our Savior is really present beneath the veils of the Sacrament, but He denies us the view of His body so as to have us abide in His love, in His adorable personality. If He were to show Himself, or even a single ray of His glory, one trait of His adorable countenance, we would forget Him and abide in that manifestation of Himself. But He has told us His Body is not our end; it is but a step to help us reach first His Soul and then His Divinity through His Soul. We have His love to guide us thither.

The strength of our love will bring complete certitude to our faith. The senses having been reduced to silence, our soul will enter into communion with Jesus Christ; and since Jesus is happiness, repose, and joy, the more intimately we commune with Him, the happier we shall be.


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