There is no recipe to share with this post. It’s just me, rambling through my own thoughts of the moment. Every year our Parish hosts an Advent Mission. It is a four-day lecture to help us to grown in our faith, prepare for the Season and to act as a catapult of sorts. It’s a Mission after all.
I thought the one Hubby and I attended several years ago was the most inspirational. A priest from EWTN, Father Wade Menezes, came to speak with us over the course of four nights. He was charismatic. But then again, he is a TV Star of sorts.
This year Father John Paul of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal was the speaker. He came to us from Oakland, California. His order has no parish. They work directly within the homeless encampments. Father John Paul began his lecture with these simple words “I’m a teacher, not a preacher.” And he was true to his words. I learned more and experienced more of an awakening over the course of four night listening to him speak than I had ever experienced before. I will probably spend the remainer of my life unpacking all that Father John Paul gave to us.
The most emotional evening for me was on the third night. In addition to his talk, he gave us a very rare and moving opportunity. Many of us are familiar with the story contained in Mark 5:21-34. It is the story of a woman who had suffered with a bleeding issue for twelve years. She had spent all that she had on physicians seeking a cure, but to no avail. She heard that Jesus was in the area and she thought if only I could touch his rope, I shall be made whole again. So it was that she made her way through the crowd, and touched the hem of his clothing. Jesus immediately knew that a virtue had gone out of him. He demanded to know who among the crowd had been so bold as to touch him. He wasn’t angry, but rather needed to prove a point. When the woman came forward, she fell to the ground, confessing what she had done. He lovingly called her Daughter, and said to her that her faith alone had healed her.
Catholic faith tells us that the Holy Spirit comes down upon the Communion Hosts and at that moment transforms the hosts into the body and blood of Jesus. The Eucharist is not a symbol representing Him in Communion, but is in fact Jesus before us. During Eucharistic Adoration the Blessed Sacrament is held in a Monstrance. Many parishes throughout the world have a Chapel of Adoration where the Monstrance is on the alter day and night. The only time that the Blessed Sacrament is absent is during Mass. Eucharistic Adoration allows us to sit with Jesus whenever the need arises. It is a very profound experience for those of faith. So Holy is the Monstrance that hold Him that during processions the priest wears a Humeral Veil over his shoulders and back. The veil covers his hands, allowing the priest to carry the Monstrance with great reverence.
Father John Paul ended his lecture by asking us a question – what do you want to take away from Jesus? What do you need to ask of him? We were told to place that in our hearts, then come up to the rail, kneel before the Monstrance and as he passed by carrying it, to touch the Humeral Veil. My entire body shook, the tears streaming down my face as I watched Jesus approaching through the crowd. My heart filled with such an array of emotion as I touched the hem of the veil, even now it resonates within me. Jesus, You are my Lord and my God. Thank you, Lord Jesus. Let Your will be done. Whatever You ask of me, I will do.
May we all find His peace in our hearts. May we be filled with His love, and be transformed into a beacon of light shining in the darkness. Know tht Jesus Christ is Lord.
Welcome to Rosemarie's Kitchen 