Not only would there be one less kiss (see yesterday’s post), but it would be missed as well.  The Lord of Love needs your love.  He said to Simon the Pharisee, “You gave me no kiss . . . ” (Lk 7.45).  Amy Carmichael writes: “To love that could miss so small a sign of love as water, and a kiss, is not love the dearest offering?”  The Bridegroom says in the Song of Songs: “Let me see your face.  Let me hear your voice.”    I don’t remember where I read the following:

. . . on Good Friday she [Sr. Maria Pierina at the age of 12] heard a voice saying quite distinctly: “Nobody gives me a kiss of love in My Face to make amends for the kiss of Judas.” In her childlike simplicity, she believed that the voice was heard by all and was pained to see that only the wounds were kissed but not the face.  In her heart exclaiming, “Have patience, dear Jesus, I will give you a kiss oflove,” she imprinted a kiss on the Face with full ardour.

During these high holy days, don’t miss those small chances to offer Him a kiss.  It takes just the simplest lifting of your heart and face to His.