Divine Appeal Reflection - 34
Today, consider in Divine Appeal 34: "whenever you hear of offences against My dynamic Presence call Me – I will be near you."
There are moments when the soul becomes aware that it is standing before something infinitely holy—and that this holiness has been treated lightly. In such moments, a quiet awe precedes sorrow. It is as though the heart recognizes a greatness beyond words and then feels the ache of seeing it diminished. Whenever the soul hears of offences against the dynamic Presence of Our Adorable Jesus, the first interior movement is rarely anger; it is sorrow mixed with helpless love. These offences are not abstractions. They are painfully concrete: irreverence toward the Eucharist, casual blasphemy woven into ordinary speech, indifference toward sacred realities, the subtle reduction of God into opinion, convenience, or mere symbolism. Scripture reveals that such wounds do not pass unnoticed in Heaven. David’s tears flowed not for personal injury but because God’s honor was trampled (cf. Ps 69:9). The prophets trembled when worship lost its heart and ritual replaced conversion (cf. Is 1:11–17). The Church (cf. CCC 1374–1377) teaches that Christ remains truly present—Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity—hidden yet living and active within history, perpetually inviting adoration and reparation . Offence, then, becomes a sacred paradox: it does not announce God’s absence, but exposes His vulnerable nearness and His desire to be defended not by noise, but by love. In workplaces, family gatherings, and digital spaces where the Holy is trivialized, Our Adorable Jesus seeks not loud protest, but an interior response. Like Mary at the foot of the Cross—silent, (cf. Jn 19:25–27) faithful, immovable in love —the soul stands, listens, and quietly calls His Name. And in that hidden calling, Heaven bends close—not to condemn, but to heal, console, and restore the quiet power of faithful love.
At their deepest level, offences against Christ’s Presence are not simply moral failures; they are failures of love. Judas approached with a kiss that concealed a divided heart (cf. Mt 26:47–50), (cf. Lk 22:54–62) while Peter denied out of fear and fragility . Both wounded the Heart of Jesus, yet only one allowed sorrow to open into mercy. The saints sensed that irreverence often comes not from rejection, but from tired hearts that have forgotten Who is waiting for them. St. Francis wept like a friend who finds the Beloved left alone. St. Teresa returned to the tabernacle as one who keeps watch when others pass by. St. Thérèse carried weary priests in her heart, loving for them when they no longer could. The Catechism (cf. CCC 2096–2097)reminds us that true worship demands interior devotion, not merely correct exterior action . Today, offence is often subtle and socially acceptable: hurried prayer, distracted Mass, receiving without recollection, speaking of God without wonder. Across all vocations—teacher, parent, laborer, consecrated soul—the temptation is the same: to normalize the Holy until it no longer interrupts us. Yet every offence is heard by Christ. He does not retreat; He invites. To call Him is an act of faith that recenters reality around love. A whispered aspiration in the face of mockery, a reverent pause when others rush—these small acts prevent offence from having the final word. Love speaks instead, and Presence deepens..
Calling Our Adorable Jesus is not a technique; it is an orientation of the heart toward living Love. Scripture testifies that such calls reshape history. The blind man’s persistent cry halted the steps of the Son of David (cf. Mk 10:46–52). The thief’s humble plea opened Paradise at the edge of death (cf. Lk 23:42–43). The Church teaches that prayer begins with God’s initiative and matures through human humility and trust (cf. CCC 2567). When offence is encountered, the soul is gently led through three interior movements. First, recognition: naming the wound without bitterness—“Lord, Your Presence is dishonored.” Second, reparation: offering something concrete—adoration, patience, fasting, or prayer—uniting small sacrifices to Christ’s redemptive offering (cf. Col 1:24). Third, availability: remaining open to silence, witness, or endurance. Saints lived this rhythm. John Vianney repaired sacrilege through long hours before the tabernacle;(cf. Mt 25:40) Mother Teresa repaired by serving Christ hidden in the poorest of the poor . In daily life, this calling unfolds quietly: turning away from distraction to pray, blessing oneself publicly, gently redirecting conversation without aggression. Each call draws Christ nearer. His Presence responds not with spectacle, but with strength—forming the soul into a living sanctuary where offence becomes a passage into deeper intimacy.
When Our Adorable Jesus draws near, the soul is transformed into a bridge of peace in a wounded world. Scripture shows this mediating vocation again and again. Moses stood between judgment and mercy when God was dishonored (cf. Ex 32:11–14). Esther risked her life, fortified by fasting and trust, to protect what was sacred (cf. Est 4:16). The Church (cf. CCC 901) teaches that every baptized person shares in Christ’s priestly mission by offering spiritual sacrifices through daily life . Thus, nearness reshapes choices: the businessperson refuses corruption, the student chooses integrity, the parent forms children in reverence, the consecrated soul perseveres unseen. Offence no longer paralyzes; it purifies intention. The saints insist that joyful reparation heals more deeply than indignant reaction. St. Padre Pio endured misunderstanding while clinging to the Eucharistic Lord; (cf. 1 Cor 1:18) St. Edith Stein answered contempt with self-gift rooted in the Cross . Calling Jesus near teaches the soul to love enemies, remain gentle under provocation, and trust the hidden action of grace. This is Gospel heroism—not conquering arguments, but keeping vigil. History is transformed less by noise than by sanctified nearness.
This way of life requires vigilance of heart. The soul learns to notice when God’s honor is diminished and to respond immediately by turning toward Our Adorable Jesus. Scripture (cf. Ps 34:18–19) assures us that the Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those crushed in spirit . The Church affirms that Christ remains livingly present with His Church until the end of time . This certainty grounds daily practice: brief acts of adoration amid work, spiritual communion in absence, reverent silence after reception, deliberate thanksgiving. Even failure becomes an invitation to call Him again, as Peter was restored not by explanation, but by love (cf. Jn 21:15–17). Like the disciples at Emmaus, (cf. Lk 24:29–32) the soul recognizes Him more fully after inviting Him to remain . Offences will persist in history—but grace will persist more powerfully. By calling Him, the believer enters the hidden work of reparation that sustains the Church through time. The final word is not offence, but communion. Our Adorable Jesus remains near—wounded yet victorious—transforming ordinary lives into living altars of love
Prayer
Our Adorable Jesus, when Your Presence is wounded before our eyes, draw us close to Your Heart. Teach us to respond with love, to repair with fidelity, and to remain with You in silence and trust. Make our lifes a sanctuary where Your glory quietly rests. Amen.
Sr. Anna Ali of the Most Holy Eucharist, intercede for us.
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