By Nna Anulumadu
The parish priest of St Paul’s parish Ideani Rev Fr John Nnaemeka recently spoke extensively on way Christians can encounter Jesus.
According to him, to encounter Jesus, the life-sustainer and life-giver, in the Eucharist, we must adhere to the following;
Be in the state of grace: This is very important, for in Psalm 24:3-5, the Psalmist asked these questions; “Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in his Holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart….”
And Jesus, in Matthew 5:8 said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”
If we are not receiving it in state of grace, we end up receiving more condemnation, just as St Paul said in 1Corinthians 11:27-29.
Secondly, approach him with faith: Jesus wants us to approach him with faith. He does not want to see us coming to his presence with a double mind (cf. 1Kings 18:21) or Lukewarmness (cf. Revelation 3:16), or persist in doubt (cf. John 20:27).
Just as St Paul said in 2Corinthians 5:7, we need to live by faith, and not by sight.
For without faith, it will be impossible to encounter Jesus in the Eucharist (see Hebrews 11:6).
