From the Pastor's Desk | September 15, 2024

Eucharistic Adoration 

There is a story of an older gentleman who would pray everyday for an hour in his local church. His friends, knowing that this man did this everyday, chided him for it. They would say things like, “You must have a lot going on that you need to pray everyday.” Or, “You must have a lot of problems that we don’t know about. What is it that makes you spend so much time in the church everyday?” When this man’s friends made these snide comments, he simply responded, “No, I don’t have any real problems or anything of much concern. I go to church and sit before the Lord. I look at Him, and He looks at me.” 

I always thought that was a very simple and very good definition of prayer. We don’t need to use a lot of words everytime we pray. In fact, oftentimes we shouldn’t. In his letter to the Romans, St. Pauls writes, “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words” (Romans 8:26). 

I was talking with a recent high school graduate last week who asked me how to pray. I walked him through a method of prayer called Lectio Divina (divine reading) - a way to pray with Scripture. He looked at me and said, “I always had a difficult time with prayer in general and particularly when we were in adoration at school.” I replied that we don’t need to say a lot of words. We sit there looking at the Lord, and He looks at us. 

I write all of that to say, now that Labor Day is behind us and summer has unofficially ended, Friday adoration is back! On Friday’s from 9:00am to 6:00pm, Eucharistic adoration is offered in the Creation Chapel. I strongly encourage everyone to take some time each week and spend it sitting before the Lord. Check this week's sign up online here. 

“When we are before the Blessed Sacrament, instead of looking about us, let us shut our eyes and open our hearts; and the good God will open his. We will go to him, and he will come to us, the one to give, and the other to receive. It will be like a breath passing from one to the other. What delight we find in forgetting ourselves that we may seek God!” - St. John Vianney

Faithful Citizenship

A reminder that Mr. Paul Stankewitz, policy advocate for the Michigan Catholic Conference, will present on Faithful Citizenship on September 19 at 6:30pm downstairs in the parish hall. I encourage everyone to come listen to Mr. Stankewitz. This presentation will equip you with the knowledge and confidence to make informed choices. He will explore the essential principles of Catholic social teaching, focusing on conscience, moral decision-making, and the common good. You will find practical advice on staying informed, engaging in respectful dialogue, making your voice heard, and praying before you cast a vote. Prepare spiritually and intellectually for this important election.

Gospel Reflection

In the Gospel today, Jesus asks two seemingly parallel questions: 1) “Who do people say that I am?” and 2) “But who do you say that I am?”. These seemingly parallel questions are fundamentally different. Many people, especially those exceedingly caught up in worldly things and worldly endeavors, have various conceptions and misconceptions of who Jesus is. For some, Jesus doesn’t matter at all and has no impact on their lives. For others, Jesus is nothing more than an ethicist or a good teacher. Some are conflicted on whether Jesus is the way to heaven or “good deeds” are sufficient to merit eternal life. Some don’t believe in Jesus at all or question whether He even existed. Some might believe in Jesus as a person but deny His divinity altogether thereby reducing Him to a wise sage.

We live in a climate of relativism and the denial of universal or absolute Truths. How many times have you heard the phrase “my truth”? I’m not quite sure what that means. As Christians, we have to navigate this climate. In order for us to navigate the culture and times we find ourselves in, we must answer Jesus’s second question, “But who do you say that I am?” This is the most fundamental question that each of us must answer for ourselves. 

Recall in John’s Gospel, after Jesus had received word that his friend Lazarus had died, He traveled to Bethany. Upon arriving outside of Bethany, Martha runs out to meet Jesus and questions why He didn’t arrive sooner. Jesus responds by saying, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26). 

Recall also in John’s Gospel, as Jesus is speaking with His disciples, He tells them that He is going to go and prepare a place for them. They question Jesus and ask Him where He is going and how they can get there. He responds to them by saying, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).  

Who is Jesus to you? What impact does He have on your life? What relationship do you have with Him or to Him? How do you relate to Him? Does Jesus shape your thoughts, feelings, and desires? How so? Is Jesus really Lord of your life? These are all questions worth taking to prayer - to Eucharistic adoration perhaps.

Know of my prayers for you all! 
Fr. Ryan