Monday, June 7, 2021

“So You Could Not Keep Watch with Me for One Hour?”




Dear Parishioners,

The time for our 40 Hours of Eucharistic Adoration begins next Sunday (6/20/21) after the 11 AM Mass.  Our Eucharistic Lord will be present continually on the altar for prayer and adoration (except when there is a scheduled Mass) until 9 AM on Tuesday (6/22/21).  We conclude our devotion on the memorial of our patron, St. Thomas More.  Masses on Monday will be at 9 AM  and 7 PM.

I have asked all of you to consider spending at least one hour during these days before Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.

What are some of the things that we might possibly pray for during this time?

  • For those in our family or among our relatives and friends who no longer practice their Catholic faith or who have abandoned it.

  • For priestly or religious vocations in our Church.  (Remember our diocese is not scheduled to ordain any priests in 2023.)

  •  In reparation for our sins.  (I know I need to spend a few hours myself on my knees with this intention in mind!)

  •  In thanksgiving for the many blessings God has bestowed on us during our lives.  (Most of us probably do not say “thank you” quite enough.)

  • For our Catholic Church:  for clarity in her teaching and doctrine; for holiness in her leaders;  for healing in those who have been hurt or abused;  that all of her members may walk the path to salvation and eternal happiness.

  • For our deceased relatives and friends; for the forgiveness of their sins and lessening of any time in purgatory.

  • For our enemies.  Didn’t Jesus remind us to pray for them?  (See Mt. 5: 43-48)

Maybe you just might need to spend some quiet time with Our Lord listening to what He might say to your heart.

During this time of year there are fans who will spend hours and hours watching game after game.  There are other people who will be fixated in front of their tablets, computers, televisions or phones for multiple hours.  There are still others who  will work out at the gym several times each week religiously.  How much quality time do you think is given to prayer by the average person?

Right before His crucifixion, while Jesus was agonizing in the garden of Gethsemane about his impending suffering and death, He asked His disciples to take time to pray with Him.  Could you ever imagine His disappointment when He found them sleeping instead?  “So you could not keep watch with me for one hour?” (Mt. 26:40)

One hour of your time for the Lord who gave His life for us.  Is that too much to ask?

Fr. Ed Namiotka
Pastor


        

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