Father Tony, a past associate pastor at St. Ann’s, started his homily about finding Jesus as a child in the temple with a joke. Father Tony started his homily by saying he could imagine Joseph saying to Mary “I do not care if he is God. When I get a hold of that child for scaring us like this, I am going to….”
The truth behind the joke is that Jesus is God and he appeared on earth showing us how to live our lives. Joseph or Mary may have experienced the same feelings as any other parent dealing with a child. However, Mary, Joseph and the apostles also had the unique opportunity to live their lives in the presence of God – to speak directly to him.
Mary and the apostles could walk in his presence, listen to him speak, look up at him on the cross, rejoice in his resurrection and at the very last be in the upper room when he appeared before them.
Finally, they accepted that he left his presence among us as the Eucharist and spread Jesus’s message throughout their world, consecrating bread just as he did at the last supper. Possibly, they may have even felt as though they were still walking in his presence when they held the Eucharist in their hands.
“The only time our Lord asked the Apostles for anything was the night He went into agony. Not for activity did He plead; but for an hour of companionship.” Archbishop Fulton Sheen
And, you can also pray in Jesus’ presence, just as Mary and the Apostles, when you are in Jesus’ presence at Eucharist Exposition – providing that same hour of companionship Jesus asked of the apostles. Join other parishioners who are devoting an hour of their time to quiet reflection and prayer with the belief and knowledge that God is present.
“The purpose of the Holy Hour is to encourage a deep personal encounter with Christ. The holy and glorious God is constantly inviting us to come to Him, to converse with Him, to ask for such things as we need and to experience what a blessing there is in fellowship with him.” Archbishop Fulton Sheen
Many people sit quietly and contemplate all that is happening in their lives knowing God is listening. Others make use of the materials available on a table in the Gathering Space. Pamphlets you can read during your one hour include those written by Pope John Paul II and other saints and religious. These reflections and prayers from people who have experienced Eucharistic Adoration help us to pray in God’s presence and speak to him just as Mary and the Apostles did.
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Join us at Eucharistic Exposition to renew your faith in God’s presence; Thursday 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM with Sacrament of Reconciliation 5:30 to 6:00 and Benediction is at 6:45 PM, Also, Eucharistic Exposition is Saturday 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM