Coming, waiting, preparing, hoping, giving are all appropriate words to say, reflect upon and put into action during this Advent Season. They all have something to offer us as we are urged to "get ready" for the Lord who will come again in glory (or will come to us, as a merciful judge when we die), AND for the celebration of when he first came to world through the Incarnation (God becoming man). I must admit that I'm inclined this week to talk about "Waiting," not because it is the easiest of things to do (because it isn't for many), but because in fact it is a hard thing to do, as so many keep their focus far too much on the "things of this world" and NOT on the things of heaven. I must admit that I have always been one who has hated (or maybe I should say disliked) standing in a line or seeing others standing in line in various settings (including the COVID shot booster clinic which we hosted this past Tuesday). I guess being a person who likes to be on the move (the energizer bunny as people have called me) and wanting to be accomplishing something as long as there is time left in the day, I see waiting (in line) as a waste of time.
Fortunately, waiting for Christ (unlike in a line) is something that should not leave us doing nothing, but rather is a call for us to stay active in mind, body and in spirit in giving praise to the Lord in our thoughts and prayers at home, at church and really everywhere we go, and doing his work of serving others in a variety of ways. St. Paul admonished many of those he converted to Christianity to not just "wait around" for Jesus to come in glory, but rather to stay active in the things they needed to do to support themselves and their families AND in doing the Lord's work (1 Thes. 3:11-13) of doing good. Almost everyone in ways that for most are varied can and should be involved in "active waiting" as we prepare for Jesus's second coming. Unlike normal waiting for something or someone can produce frustration, impatience and sometimes unkind words, the waiting that Advent emphasizes will normally provide inner joy and peace and confidence that we are ready for what Jesus has planned for those who love Him!
Fortunately, waiting for Christ (unlike in a line) is something that should not leave us doing nothing, but rather is a call for us to stay active in mind, body and in spirit in giving praise to the Lord in our thoughts and prayers at home, at church and really everywhere we go, and doing his work of serving others in a variety of ways. St. Paul admonished many of those he converted to Christianity to not just "wait around" for Jesus to come in glory, but rather to stay active in the things they needed to do to support themselves and their families AND in doing the Lord's work (1 Thes. 3:11-13) of doing good. Almost everyone in ways that for most are varied can and should be involved in "active waiting" as we prepare for Jesus's second coming. Unlike normal waiting for something or someone can produce frustration, impatience and sometimes unkind words, the waiting that Advent emphasizes will normally provide inner joy and peace and confidence that we are ready for what Jesus has planned for those who love Him!
In a musical version of Charles Dicken's classic story "A Christmas Carol" the main character (Ebenezer Scrooge) at the end of the movie, after his conversion bellows out over and over agin; "THANK YOU VERY MUCH!" The practice of saying "thank you" to others who have done something or given something to us started with our parent's constant reminders to say "thank you" and "please" when we asked for something. If we were raised in a Christian family, hopefully we were taught to say "thank you" to God everyday for blessings received, especially the greatest blessing of sending his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ to the world!
The greatest Thanksgiving prayer we can offer is the Mass, the word eucharist means "Thanksgiving." So in the Eucharist (or Thanksgiving) Celebration, we are continually giving thanks to God. In the Gloria we say at one point, "we give you thanks for your great glory." At the end of the first two scripture readings on the weekend we say: "Thanks be to God." In the introduction to the Preface, the Celebrant of the Mass says "Let us give thanks to the Lord our God" and the congregation responds "It is right and just" (to give God thanks). The Preface and the Eucharistic Prayer have expressions of thanks to God, especially just before Jesus took the bread and then the cup and said those words that we refer to as the words of consecration changing the substance into His Body and Blood. Finally, as we are dismissed by the deacon or priest we say "Thanks be to God."
Unlike our country's calendar that has only one day called "Thanksgiving Day" we in the Church are blessed to have every day as a day to be thankful first to God and then to others and have the opportunity to share in the most beautiful and meaningful "Prayer of Thanksgiving" the Eucharistic Celebration.
As your pastor, I have reason too to give thanks to God for the gift of parishioners whose thanks to God is evident in words prayed at Mass and in deeds of service to others, especially those most in need!
The greatest Thanksgiving prayer we can offer is the Mass, the word eucharist means "Thanksgiving." So in the Eucharist (or Thanksgiving) Celebration, we are continually giving thanks to God. In the Gloria we say at one point, "we give you thanks for your great glory." At the end of the first two scripture readings on the weekend we say: "Thanks be to God." In the introduction to the Preface, the Celebrant of the Mass says "Let us give thanks to the Lord our God" and the congregation responds "It is right and just" (to give God thanks). The Preface and the Eucharistic Prayer have expressions of thanks to God, especially just before Jesus took the bread and then the cup and said those words that we refer to as the words of consecration changing the substance into His Body and Blood. Finally, as we are dismissed by the deacon or priest we say "Thanks be to God."
Unlike our country's calendar that has only one day called "Thanksgiving Day" we in the Church are blessed to have every day as a day to be thankful first to God and then to others and have the opportunity to share in the most beautiful and meaningful "Prayer of Thanksgiving" the Eucharistic Celebration.
As your pastor, I have reason too to give thanks to God for the gift of parishioners whose thanks to God is evident in words prayed at Mass and in deeds of service to others, especially those most in need!
After a significant lull, the ministry of Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration resumed in Hot Springs on November 1, All Saints Day at St. John's parish in a newly constructed chapel in part of the building that used to be their parish hall/school cafeteria years ago. Since my brother, Danny and my mother are adorers and Danny is a division leader, I have been hearing about the challenges of getting this ministry operating smoothly, especially when they are having their regular adorers sign up for two hour slots of adoration at a time.
I can remember the challenges of getting our Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration started here at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church 8 years ago. We were blessed with a wonderful Catholic man and leader, Roger Bresnahan of happy memory and division and hourly leaders who organized over 300 parishioners who volunteered to take one hour slots to make adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament go on 24/7 for a long time (until the effects of COVID and other factors led to the reduction of adoration hours by three during the late night hours). The main challenge during our first three months was winter weather forecasts and precipitation that led to the suspension of adoration sometimes for a day or more. Deciding when to suspend and when to resume was difficult on Roger and myself, but we made it through those bumpy times (and those that happen every winter) and have kept this blessed ministry going.
It is the only "ministry" that requires no qualifications or experience, but only an openness to spend time with the One that we should ALL love the most, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It allows us a time to "get away" from the activities of our worldly life and praise, thank, petition and express contrition to the Lord for our sins. It can be a time of spiritual reading and reflection, especially when we are using the bible. It can (and hopefully will) serve as an encouragement to come to receive the Lord more often in Holy Communion to give us strength , direction and peace that the Lord (and not the world) is ready to give. It is a foretaste of heaven where we will adore our God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit for all eternity. Eucharistic Adoration has produced many blessings and at times even miracles in the lives of adorers and others, including those in our parish.
I truly hope and pray that more of you will choose to join in with your fellow parishioners either as a weekly, hourly adorer or as a substitute who is ready and willing to fill in when the need arises. I give special thanks to these adorers who are vital to keeping all the hours filled! While I give continual thanks to God for all the ministries and activities that have happened and continue to happen in this parish and the countless blessings that have touched many people's lives, it is the Mass and Eucharistic Adoration that are, I believe, the spiritual fuel that is necessary for all that we do in the name of the Lord Jesus and that bring us firstly into greater union with Him in thought, word and action. PLEASE join us, if you are not already participating in this ministry at Church (or if, due to sickness or disability) at home in a special prayer place that you have created. With God's grace readily available it can be the most meaniful hour (or hours) of your week! Contact our devoted leader, Tom Donnelly at 915-0880 to join us as a regular adorer or willing substitute.
I can remember the challenges of getting our Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration started here at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church 8 years ago. We were blessed with a wonderful Catholic man and leader, Roger Bresnahan of happy memory and division and hourly leaders who organized over 300 parishioners who volunteered to take one hour slots to make adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament go on 24/7 for a long time (until the effects of COVID and other factors led to the reduction of adoration hours by three during the late night hours). The main challenge during our first three months was winter weather forecasts and precipitation that led to the suspension of adoration sometimes for a day or more. Deciding when to suspend and when to resume was difficult on Roger and myself, but we made it through those bumpy times (and those that happen every winter) and have kept this blessed ministry going.
It is the only "ministry" that requires no qualifications or experience, but only an openness to spend time with the One that we should ALL love the most, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It allows us a time to "get away" from the activities of our worldly life and praise, thank, petition and express contrition to the Lord for our sins. It can be a time of spiritual reading and reflection, especially when we are using the bible. It can (and hopefully will) serve as an encouragement to come to receive the Lord more often in Holy Communion to give us strength , direction and peace that the Lord (and not the world) is ready to give. It is a foretaste of heaven where we will adore our God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit for all eternity. Eucharistic Adoration has produced many blessings and at times even miracles in the lives of adorers and others, including those in our parish.
I truly hope and pray that more of you will choose to join in with your fellow parishioners either as a weekly, hourly adorer or as a substitute who is ready and willing to fill in when the need arises. I give special thanks to these adorers who are vital to keeping all the hours filled! While I give continual thanks to God for all the ministries and activities that have happened and continue to happen in this parish and the countless blessings that have touched many people's lives, it is the Mass and Eucharistic Adoration that are, I believe, the spiritual fuel that is necessary for all that we do in the name of the Lord Jesus and that bring us firstly into greater union with Him in thought, word and action. PLEASE join us, if you are not already participating in this ministry at Church (or if, due to sickness or disability) at home in a special prayer place that you have created. With God's grace readily available it can be the most meaniful hour (or hours) of your week! Contact our devoted leader, Tom Donnelly at 915-0880 to join us as a regular adorer or willing substitute.