As I continue with my suggestions and encouragement for us to grow in our relationship with the Lord and the Church in this new calendar year (after encouraging greater frequency of receiving the sacraments of Eucharist, Reconciliation, and Anointing of the Sick), I have to look no farther than our Adoration Chapel where Jesus is exposed in the Monstrance 24/7. Whether you make some time to drop by for a few minutes or a Holy Hour or you choose to be committed to a Holy Hour at the same day and time each week, the time you spend in the quiet of the chapel ( and I want to stress to EVERYONE who enters that there is to be no visiting in the chapel out of respect for Jesus's Eucharistic presence) can be a great source of wonderful grace as we speak to the Lord or be still and listen for the Lord to speak to us. I wish I could get people who have spent and are spending time in the chapel to share the blessings that come to them for choosing to be with the Lord, looking at him, letting him look upon us (always with love and mercy) and to give thanks for the gift we have here in this parish of Eucharistic Adoration. I'm confident that among other things, they would echo my own sentiments that it is the most "productive" time I spend every day, though it doesn't involve me "doing" anything. It is surrendering time to be with the Lord that I open myself up to be directed by the Lord and give him individually the praise and worship that is due him as God and humbly present my sinfulness to him, asking for his mercy and the grace to do better.
Dan Ferguson, a parishioner who recently died after battling heart disease and cancer, spoke to me numerous times of his missing the time he spent with Jesus, especially as a faithful and regular sub in our Perpetual Adoration Ministry during the overnight hours because of his ongoing and worsening health condition. He told me more than once that he was not afraid to die, and I believe that attitude in large part resulted from the time he spent with the Lord in our chapel.
If you have not chosen to spend any time in our chapel, please consider doing it early in this new year. Discover the special blessings that come when you make a commitment to be in the Lord's presence for at least one hour a week as a scheduled Adorer or regular substitute Adorer (call Tom Donnelly at 501-915-0880 to find out more or to sign up). Jesus is waiting for you to come to him with your joys and sorrows, your problems and challenges and your contrite and humble heart. How can we say "no" to such a wonderful invitation?