This picture is of AD-in her now typical motion when she remembers that we are supposed to pray when we are eating...she stops-puts both hands out and says "AMEN"...nice to have a living reminder-not that we should need to be reminded...but she does it at restaurants-anywhere-It is great!
Sunday AM...Fr. Flynn at SJTA interestingly spoke about the shepherds and sheep and how they KNOW the voice of their shepherd. Anyone can call the sheep, but the sheep only respond to their shepherd. I find that interesting. VERY interesting. With all the distractions and with all the voices in the world, how do we know which voice is God's? How do we know what our calling is? Of course, Fr. Flynn-wisely said in order for us to know God's voice we have to try to become familiar with it. We have to pray, read scriptures, go to Mass, etc in order to recognize the true voice we should respond to.
I agree and want to get some practical advice on that...
Any ideas?
What do you do?
How do you do it?
There are many distractions. I think you mentioned in a previous post how difficult it was to concentrate during Mass one Sunday because of the young boys sitting next to you. Interestingly, the Gospels make reference to several occasions when Jesus "withdrew" from the crowds to pray. He must have had a lot of distractions as well with all the Apostles, disciples, followers, etc. vieing for His attention.
ReplyDeleteSo, since you asked, I am a strong advocate of Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. I have had some of my most meaningful conversations with the Lord during these hourly visits once a week. And have, in fact, received answers to many questions during those periods.
About 14 years ago, my parish at the time was beginning Perpetual Adoration. One Sunday, a parishioner challenged the congregation to try devoting one hour a week to this devotion. He personally had been practicing this devotion for a period of about 10 - 15 years and had never missed a week. He said it was a life-changing experience. So, I tried it and have likewise found it to be life-changing. I have worked through many questions and struggles during those hours, not to mention just feeling a closer relationship.
So, many would say that they just can't work it in to their schedules. But here's the deal. People will always make time for what they really want to do. We make appointments with others everyday and rarely give it a second thought. Spending an hour with God in private, direction communication, with no distractions is just a really special and necessary time for me.
Along those same lines, our priest posed a question which I thought was an appropriate reflection for "Did you go to Mass?" If you did -
"Did you go out of a sense of obligation or love?"