| | I'm a morning person by nature. It's a wonderful time of day;
before the break of dawn, the world is empty, almost, and I almost have
it to myself. I'm not sure I'd want to be utterly alone, so this is
perfect.
Our parish is beginning to organize what's called in the Catholic world
"Perpetual Adoration." The Catholic Church teaches and has always
taught that when the priest says Christ's Words of Institution over the
bread and wine they become the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of
Jesus. And they don't ever stop being that. To a non-Catholic mind this
might sound a little nutty, but the priest can set one of the wafers
which is Christ into a monstrance and place it where people can come
and be with Jesus. Literally.
Perpetual Adoration won't begin until December, but I've signed up for
the Monday 6-7 AM slot and wanted to start getting into the routine
early. I left home at 5:45 AM and drove the 5 miles or so over to St.
Mary's Church. On the way over, as the sky was barely lightening, very
few people were about. I saw men in their well-lit offices, already at
the computer. One was straightening the clock, or, now that I think
about it, more likely turning the time back one hour. A Mexican lady
walked along a dark stretch of Main St., over by the Courthouse,
probably on her way to work. A young student looked to be headed for
Redwood High. So early?
Downtown was quiet, though a few cars were parked at Starbucks and one
man sat outside in the chill smoking a cigarette. The street sweeper
wove in and out ahead of me and I turned left behind it and headed
toward the Lord.
Because our world is what it is these days, a code is needed to open
the door to the Adoration Chapel. At this hour, I thought I might be
alone inside, but I found 3 people already seated, eyes intent on what
is, for now, a tabernacle which encloses the Lord. It was quiet except
for the hum of a fan. A spotlight was focused on the tabernacle,
providing the small room's only light. A Pope's crucifix hung above the
tabernacle and a few flower arrangements were set about.
I took my seat and quieted my heart and began to pray. I prayed for my
family, for my friends, and for my country. I prayed the Rosary, slowly
and silently. Three more people came in and silently pondered the
presence of Jesus, substantially present in the room. It was very
peaceful and very reverent.
At 7:00, I left the Chapel and entered the Sanctuary for Mass. Perhaps
people are anxious about events unfolding this week as it seemed more
were there than I've seen before. Fr. John celebrated Mass, the organ
led us in the Great Amen, my friend, Dee, sat beside me, and I was
comforted and refreshed and filled with grace by the Eucharist.
After Mass, I had some time before I needed to go over to Holy Family,
my home parish, to help count the Sunday offering so I went downtown to
Starbucks. The city was beginning to wake up and many had entered this
coffee shop to find assistance in that task. I recognized the "kid"
behind the counter as someone who had been in our life fora time, Chris
K. We exchanged small talk. As I waited for my mocha, he loudly asked
me if I was ready for some "change." It was too early and I didn't get
it at first. Think Obama. He was being a tad sarcastic. Only in a
Visalia Starbucks can you joke around that way and have the rest of the
folks waiting nod in agreement.
Sat down and drank my mocha and read my missalette. Just as I was
getting up to leave, about 25 high school girls came in. I pray Chris
and company got them to class on time.
And then the morning took on its more normal flow. We gathered the
weekend offering and the ladies came together for a few hours of
straightening and stacking hundreds of bills and totaling checks and
hoping it all came out right. We always have a fun time of it. One of
the ladies is actually one of the undecided voters. We reminded her of
the babies. If it weren't for the babies, I wouldn't be nearly as
concerned. Money comes and goes, but life, once lost, is gone for good.
So, that was my first Monday morning with Adoration worked into the
schedule. I'm looking forward to the 10th. I see that that is Martin
Luther's birthday, the man who shattered the Church. I'll try to
remember to pray for him, too.
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| | Posted 11/4/2008 6:21 AM - 14 Views - 2 eProps - 1 Comment
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