Thought for the Day – 22 February – The Early Hours of the Day

Thought for the Day – 22 February – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)

The Early Hours of the Day

“If possible, it is desirable to begin the day by visiting Jesus.
He is always in the Tabernacle, waiting patiently and lovingly for us to visit Him.
Why could we not spend at least one half-hour with Him?
There are twenty four hours in the day.
Must we spend them in sleep, work, amusements and conversation without ever pausing to speak with Jesus?

What about Mass and Holy Communion?
It is true that we are not obliged to go to Mass on weekdays, nor have we a strict obligation to receive Holy Communion, except during the Paschal period.
But a genuine Catholic should not be satisfied with doing only what is commanded under pain of mortal sin.
He should love Jesus so much that he will experience an urgent need of communication with Him.
He should be ready to sacrifice a little of his early morning sleep, for the purpose of receiving Jesus in Holy Communion – if he is so blessed as to be near an early morning Mass.
Never forget (and pray for them) that there are thousands, perhaps millions who are deprived of this great grace of living near a Church!
There is no surer way of being able to resist the temptations of the day and of acquiring peace of spirit.
The practice of daily Communion can transform a man’s life.”

Antonio Cardinal Bacci

PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/02/14/thought-for-the-day-14-february-the-early-hours-of-the-day/
PART TWO:
https://anastpaul.com/2022/02/14/thought-for-the-day-13-february-the-early-hours-of-the-day/