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"I'm looking for people to sign up for adoration in front of the Blessed Sacrament. Could you commit to one hour on Tuesdays?" Gloria's sparkling, dark eyes attempt to corner my evasive look.
“Well, I … uh … “ Usually I have no problem saying no. In fact, anything that strikes me as requiring too much commitment or responsibility triggers an immediate nervous response—sweaty palms, rapid heart beat, and mental synapses tripping out a myriad of excuses. Really sorry, but I’m busy that day (or week, or year)… . I have to … (fill in the blank). But this request leaves me intrigued as well as intimidated.
“It’s twenty-four-hour adoration, and we really need people to sign up for a specific time so that all hours are covered.” The sparkle in Gloria’s gaze has turned into a penetrating stare. I imagine her reading my cowardly soul like an open book.
What am I afraid of? I ask myself. Don’t I think…
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Just yesterday our parish in Rochester, NH opened a Perpetual Adoration Chapel. Jacqueline’s invitation to “just try it” is extended to you too!
Thank you for writing this.
Jacqueline:
Thank you for this inspiring article. I have recently “resurrected” this particular devotion and made it an integral part of my faith journey—as it was during my days as a student at University of Dayton some 50 years ago! (Whew!) In more recent years, my attendance at Adoration has been sporadic at best. However, at age 71, I am realizing, over and over, that I have so much to praise Our Lord for. First, I praise him for being who he is! I also praise the Lord that I have been able to live for 71 years before recently being diagnosed with two different kinds of cancer, and then being with me through 3 cancer surgeries in less than 6 months, and 25 radiation treatments, to emerge as a cancer survivor! I feel particularly blessed when I realize there are so many millions of infants and others in between who are facing challenges more catastrophic than mine. Our Lord is wonderful and deserving of our praise. I feel that your article will gently “nudge” me into a deeper commitment to spend time in adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.
(Over the years, I also have had the habit of taking my rosary to bed with me. However, many times, the Blessed Mother has had to finish that rosary herself—while I slept! But, she and her Son know that I am a “work in progress” and that God is not finished with me yet!)
Thank you
Gordon W. Simmons
My favorite part is when you spoke about Thanking God for everything in your life! The things that went well and the trials that you came up against. So many people today believe that trials are unnecessary and should be avoided at all costs. But the reality is: If you DESIRE HOLINESS then you HAVE TO allow God to be in TOTAL CONTROL of EVERYTHING! The only way that is achieved is by LETTING GO, and for some of us that means being gently broken so that we come to understand our dependence is on God. His LOVE for us is FAR SUPERIOR than anything we can think of, dream of, and actually do. Thank you again for your honesty and candor on the subject. =-)
Thank you for writing this article. It has encouraged and instructed me to make more of my time before the Blessed Sacrament.
it helps me to re think , i have to thank for all.