The Visit - Recollection of stopping in a Church for Adoration

 An old Reflection by Fred Schaeffer, OFS (BFR238)   

Years ago (1998-2001) when I spent some time in Massachusetts in the Community of the Monks of Adoration (then in Petersham, MA, later in Englewood, FL), I was sent out many a time, by car, to bring their publications to the printer in Amherst, and again, to pick them up when the printing was done. Amherst is a university town, and there were printers who had more affordable prices. Very often, I stopped in Belchertown to make a small visit to St. Francis of Assisi Church, where there was Perpetual Adoration. Since then, the good people of St. Francis of Assisi Church moved to a new church building, completed in 2004, I believe, where there is now a wonderful Adoration Chapel.

Belchertown is on US Route 202, which I used to get to my destination, and I looked forward to those few minutes with Jesus.

 Since I am very easily distracted, it would have taken me longer than a few minutes to "settle in" and begin to pray, and often there was nothing I could say except just a "Bless me Jesus, I adore you." - or, just a heartfelt "Praise God!"  Had I taken a longer time, perhaps I would have said this: 

 "Good morning/afternoon dear Lord Jesus. You are my brother and I love you. Please forgive me for not paying much attention to you, today. And, please forgive me  for my sins and shortcomings."

 I think Jesus might have let me know that He was glad I was there now. God is in the moment. He is the "I   am" - not the past, nor the future. He is the "Now" - for in His time of eternity, there are no clocks. Time is what we, as humans, do not have much of. We try to squeeze too much activity in each 24 hours. So we assume in our limited knowledge of Him, that He is glad to hear from those who love Him, at any time, particularly at the present moment. Now!

So perhaps I might continue to pray:
  "I am sorry for all that is going on in the world, that offends Thee. I lift up all those who are in harm's way, and I also lift up people who are looking for your mercy and compassion, and who have asked me to pray for them. "(Here I may mention names if I have a list with me, or intentions I recalled).

"I am burdened today with the knowledge that there is so much evil in this world. But there is also so much good still. There are wonderful people who love you, who love our sisters and brothers as their own. Please heal those who have not yet found You, my Lord. Please heal the brokenhearted, who are injured, suffer from diseases such as Cancer, who feel unloved, and the poor who have no place to turn. I think with a heavy heart how I could have contributed to the welfare of others, when I didn't. I don't have the funds to contribute in money as I live on an extremely tight budget, close to "month-to-month. I still do, but there is nothing in my way to say hello to a person, a stranger, ask how they are, and tell them I would pray for them when they are hurting. I know deep down that I would not love God as I should if I did not love my sister and brother as I must. Love for one another isn't an empty gesture.   It isn't meant to be something that might be called "Politically correct." It isn't politically anything, but it is an emotion of the soul, to seek out those who need a pat on the back or a friendly handshake.

I often think of the good I could do if I were to participate in Perpetual Adoration (but I haven't driven in two years because I can't afford it, it is only through friends I manage to get to Church on Sundays and Holidays of Obligation.)

So what right do I have to urge you to make a Visit with Jesus? Absolutely none. Let us pray for one another that we will both make that visit soon. Give it your best shot, and just go and see Him soon.

 God bless you, and keep you well! 

 Fred Schaeffer, OFS
January 24, 2007 (rev. February 7, 2025) 

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