"It is the name of Jesus which, through faith in him, has brought back the strength of this man whom you see here and who is well known to you. It is faith in him that has restored this man to health, as you can all see." (Acts 3: 16)
Faith in Jesus and faith in the name of Jesus is one and the same thing.
Faith is power.
God has given us the power of faith.
Lord Jesus, grant me deep faith in your name.
Jesus prayer
"Now while he was with them at table, he took the bread and said the blessing; then he broke it and handed it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized him; but he had vanished from their sight." (Luke 24: 30 – 31)
Christ is truly present in the Eucharist but how do we recognize Him?
We recognize Christ in the Eucharist through faith. Faith gives us the promise of God's power. We exercise the power of faith when we come to the Eucharist and see Jesus Christ through the eyes of faith. Remote and proximate preparations for the Eucharist should involve prayer for faith, little acts of exercise of faith so that our faith may be adequate to recognize Christ in the Eucharist.
Christ is present in the Eucharist in the person of the priest, in the proclamation of the word and especially in the Eucharistic species.
"The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord….."
"Glory in his holy name; rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord! Look to the Lord in his strength; seek to serve him constantly." (Psalm 105:3-4)
Glory in the name of Jesus. Look to Jesus in His strength.
"I have neither silver nor gold, but I will give you what I have: in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, walk." (Acts 3: 6)
What is Peter saying here? "Right now, God has not given me silver or gold to give you. But He has given me spiritual power which He wants me to use on your behalf."
Often, I feel ashamed that I do not have money to give to people who ask me. But why should I be ashamed? God is the source of all inspiration and power. He withholds nothing from those who love Him. My one desire is to give to everyone who asks of me. I will give that which I happen to have at that material time. I have the following things I can give all the time:
"So Mary of Magdala told his disciples, 'I have seen the Lord', and that he has said these things to her." (John 20: 18)
Mary has just had the experience of the Resurrection. She saw the Lord. She heard His words.
Have I experienced the Resurrection? Have I seen the Lord? Have I seen the Lord in me, in the Body of Christ and in others? How is Christ speaking to me today? Who are the bearers of Christ's word to me this day?
