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Visiting with Jesus when He visits us!
by Fred Schaeffer, OFS
When you last received Jesus in your hand or on your tongue, what were you thinking? I'll bet you weren't thinking about Jesus... or only vaguely so. I know I have periods when I am barely there mentally. When I sang in a choir, and when I received Him, I tried to swallow the Sacred Host is soon as possible, so I could sing the next hymn. But the choir is no excuse for not paying attention.
The thought occurred to me, when the Holy Father was visiting England, that at each city, people were elated that he was there, and they waved and smiled. When have we last smiled for Jesus? When have we last dressed up for Him? And most important, when have we truly been in the State of Grace, free from all sin even the little ones, as we approached the altar to receive Him? Being in the "State of Grace" is the best compliment we can give Him!
So many people try to tell me that it is impossible for people to be free of sin. No, that is not impossible, but we don't have to talk about that, if that makes you uncomfortable. That is between you and our Savior! But try, at least, as a way to make that moment of reception as perfect as possible. Make it a habit to sin no more and pretty soon, especially with His help, you may succeed.
I don't have to give you lessons how to receive Holy Communion, except to urge you to do so with attention and devotion. You're not going up there to receive the host, you are going up there to receive none other than the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. And when you speak to anyone about this, I hear so many people falter and refer to Him as "the host" - when you receive Him, He is, whether on your hand, tongue or in your heart, the Body of Christ, and received under either species, you have received him entirely, in Body and Blood. Catholics know He is "Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity" wherever He is and also in that Consecrated Host you are receiving on your tongue. It is not a symbol. He is real!
When He comes to you in this way, be attentive, and aware. Thank Him for His great Gift to you, the Gift of Himself! He died on the Cross for us so that we may have life everlasting. Never take the Body and Blood of Christ lightly or in vain. As you thank Him, at the same time please thank His Mother. The Blessed Virgin Mary, taken body and soul into Heaven upon her passing, because she was conceived without original sin (this is a matter of Catholic dogma!) is our mother as well. She gave birth to Him so that He could begin the process of the redemption of our souls. This process consisted of his Word (teachings, miracles, etc.) and His Sacrifice (the Cross).
It pains me that so many people have gone astray. They have abandoned Him, and they have not made an effort to ask for forgiveness. They rebel against the Catholic Church, by whose teaching their were raised, against the Holy Father, and the Magisterium (Bishops), they stopped receiving the Sacraments, and their souls are effectively dead, or close to it. They have already left! So come back, come back so that He can reach out to you, as you are reaching for Him. When you ask for forgiveness, He will grant it. Yes you can. You should. Your eternal life may be at stake! He will reach out to you until the point of your death, and if then you still haven't reached out to Him, I pray that He has mercy on your soul. I pray frequently for those who have no one to pray for them, for the people who are utterly lost. Let us all pray for those unfortunate souls. Coming back is easy. Go to ANY Catholic church and ask to see a priest. The requirement that you go to the Parish in your neighborhood was abolished years ago, you can worship in the Parish where you feel comfortable or at home. So go visit that Church and begin again. Saint Francis of Assisi had a great idea. He said: "Until now we have done nothing. Let us begin again." As a follower of St. Francis, those words ring in my ears. Restarts are allowed and recommended if at first you do not succeed. A priest will help you get through the process of reconciliation so you can find peace and rest in your soul.
Prayer doesn't need to take hours, but it does need to take a succinct intention and attention to His Holy Will. In fact, if you truly have no time to pray that very minute, just ask Him to carry on your prayer for you. He is so perfect, so far superior to what we can do. He can accomplish infinitely more.
May God bless you and keep you!
Fred Schaeffer, OFS
2010 rev. 2021 (FR2-536)
The Value of Adoration
A Reflection by Fred Schaeffer. OFS
Not every Catholic has time to devote to "Perpetual Adoration" that is, "a Eucharistic devotion whereby members of a given parish (or other entity) unite in taking hours of Adoration before the Most Blessed Sacrament (in most cases, exposed), both during the day and throughout the night, seven days a week." (source: EWTN).
In many parishes a separate chapel on the church campus is used for Adoration. Every Monday. I used to do this too, but not since I’ve become homebound. I miss the silence, where I can be with Jesus exclusively. At Adoration there is no loud prayer, and participants remain silent, for the language of prayer is silence. Silence is also the absence of other thoughts. If, during Mass, our thoughts are all over the place, thinking about relatives, friends, football, the Ladies Guild, or whatever, then we are not silent. But it is a different kind of silence, perhaps.
Most people have trouble with complete silence and even with partial silence. Look at what happens when the priest sits down after Holy Communion and just doesn't get up to continue Holy Mass in the same length of time he usually does? People get fidgety, they look at each other in disbelief, they think of getting out of the parking lot when they are still at Mass... sounds familiar? People are terribly impatient. Why are we in such a rush!? It once happened where the priest just did not get up. It turned out he had a heart attack, the poor man.
Relax! I've got news for you, if you live in Vero Beach, FL and you are into retirement, life is much, much calmer. I don't worry about the next minute or two, or even ten minutes ... life ends fast enough, why let these remaining years be a time of frustration? Not necessary! Time is valuable to be with Jesus so that we can prepare to be with Him for all time.
So, do sit down with Jesus. And quietly prepare to pray, taking time to just adore Him in the tabernacle in silence. You can also read a spiritual text or pray the Rosary in His Presence. There are so many ways in which we can adore Him in a simple way, and thus use that time to provide intercession in prayer for someone's toil and troubles. Prayer for forgiveness and reparation for blasphemy or misuse of the Blessed Sacrament is also needed these days.
I've said hundreds of times in these reflections that "prayer works" - I'd like to shout that out so everyone can hear me, because it is true.
Jesus is an immense help in negotiating the small problems in life. Many small problems occur every day. Many people pray to the Saints and Blessed, and they ask if they would, in turn, ask Jesus that some intention be granted ... Jesus hears those requests too! And they are answered. I feel that in my spirit, in my heart. And please, don't forget to thank Him for His Mother! She is the greatest intercessor of all time.
What we have with God is a relationship; a relationship of love, of speaking (prayer) with/to God, and in that sense, relationships are very important. Such a relationship with God will one day save your soul - He promised us: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." Jn 3:16. That's the most quoted Scripture - and yet, many who read or hear it often do not absorb the meaning of it. You'll do yourself a great favor, to sit down and read the entire Gospel of John (the Evangelist). Ask St. John to help your Spiritual Life flourish, your relationship with the Lord. He was born in Bethsaida in Galilee, circa 6 AD to 100 AD. (Age 93 or 94). He was the Apostle who was with Mary, the Mother of Jesus, at the Crucifixion. His Feast Day is on Dec. 27. He is a New Testament Author and also wrote the Book of Revelation.
Work on your relationship with Jesus, and with His Mother, Mary who is our mother as well. Start simply, and His Grace will bring this relationship to a level that is far greater than we would ever think it could be. Make a habit of silent reflection, just sit and relax by Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and He will help you along the way. It's great if adoration is an hour long, but if you are short of time, make it 30 minutes or more. He will give you his Blessing for making time for him. Some churches also offer adoration with communal prayer (aloud), often tied to a Benediction service.
Our Lady, pray for us now and ever.
Fred S. Schaeffer, OFS
January 21, 2022