What Happened to Monday?
Glowing Monstrance from a spiritual retreat.
Tuesday of the First Week in Lent, 2/28/23
Yesterday, Monday, totally got away from me. Before I knew it, it was 3:30am “this” morning, and I just could not go one more minute. I was yawning so hard and so deep, that I was quivering. Saints more stalwart than me, would have possibly kept going, but I am dealing with a series of health issues and situations that have left me exhausted. I am the only one to take care of me. I am trying desperately to set realistic goals, and perhaps I need to reassess some. But, I just. . . and I mean . . . within the last few minutes did meet a huge goal - finishing my taxes by the end of the month! With this task behind me, I can now try to meet the other goals that depended upon that being done. Why do I bring this up? I need to try to be realistic with my Lenten observation(s) and expectations, and perhaps that resonates with you.
When you set out with sky-high aspirations, huge sacrificial intentions, great acts of service, you might want to ask yourself, for whom am I really doing this? Will this draw me closer to Christ, or will there be untold ramifications? Like how will you treat others as you are suffering? The Pharisees come to mind, who would bring attention to their tithing, or judge others. They have already received their reward through their recognition and admiration from others. (Paraphrasing Luke 18:9-14) In this same Gospel passage, Jesus reminds us that the humbled will be exalted and the exalted will be humbled.
I think back to the numerous attempts of giving up smoking or chocolate in years past. and how I might have not have been the easiest to live with? Grumpy comes right to mind. When we focus on suffering WITH Christ, instead of assuming we are doing this alone, the journey becomes much more bearable, even joyful.
The theme yesterday was, “Burning with Love or Christ”. That’s deep and I simply do not have the bandwidth to deal with that in a blog right now. Since there are several weeks of Lent left, perhaps I will delve into that later. I have a couple thoughts that are percolating. In the mean time, I went to today’s theme with St. Francis and St. Clare, “Christ’s Continued Presence With Us”. It’s all about contemplating the Eucharist. What is ironic is the image I wanted to use for yesterday’s theme, actually works perfectly for today’s.
In my decades of working with teens, in parishes around the world, my favorite work was with the Confirmation Program. From the time I sponsored my sister in her confirmation program, nearly 40 years ago, I became distinctly aware of the promptings of the Holy Spirit and felt it had been a great void in my faith walk at the time. I was already a mother of young children (2 and 4 years old), so was not yet quite training them in the faith, other than taking them to church on Sundays, and saying their prayers. I certainly wouldn’t say I led a ‘spirit-filled life’. I was very religious, however. Rarely would I miss Mass or the sacraments. If I did, there was an enormous amount of guilt attached. Forward about 20 years later, those two young children, now graduated from High School, we are now retired from the military, and I am searching for ‘what’s next?’
I went to a spiritual retreat with my pastor and several members of our parish. This photo was taken during what is called, “Eucharistic Adoration”. It is a time set aside to focus solely on the consecrated Eucharist . . . on the true presence of Jesus . . . the body of Christ. This is reallllly hard for even Catholics to wrap their brain around. In fact, you/we cannot! A large percentage of polled Catholics aren’t sure that the host they consume at communion is really the body of Christ. We often just accept it as part of our faith. But what if it really is? There have been numerous accounts of miraculous events happening surrounding the Eucharist, and that, too, is beyond the scope of a simple blog. But when I read the theme for yesterday, this image came immediately to mind - Jesus burned/burns with Love for us!
Yesterday’s theme speaks of St. Francis’ radical love, burning passion for Christ. A love so radical, he disowned his family, refused his fortune, stripped himself of magnificent clothing from his father the tailor and merchant of Assisi and danced stark naked in the town square, before he donned the garb of a peasant and lived in poverty, only eating what was given to him . . . begging only for others who could not. Could we ever experience a 'burning with love for Christ’? We could ask, if we were only brave enough. What might that feel like? Perhaps relational?
But then, I turned the page, and saw: “Christ’s Continued Presence With Us”, as today’s theme. Ok. I had to fine and use that photo from @1999!
This photo was taken in a darkening gym, as the sun was setting and came right through that upper window and through the Monstrance. (Yes, Pentecost came to mind!). I had my camera - not a phone, an actual camera! And, I really tried to be stealth about getting that shot - I knew it would not last long. It is always silent during Eucharistic Adoration - it is reverence. But, there was a collective gasp among those gathered. As if Jesus WAS indeed, really present . . . the Light of the World in that very gym! I will never forget the burning in my heart at the sight and the communal awe. What IF, that was Jesus showing us just how much He loves us, by simply showing up as Light? Can we not do the same? . . . simply show up to be with Him? . . . how about showing up as Light in this dark world? No unrealistic goals need to be set . . . just show up! Smile. Do a simple act of kindness for a friend or stranger. Listen.
As St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta said, “Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” That is more important that grandiose gestures with little meaning.
I think Lent is set aside as a time to ponder these kinds of questions, even if they seem way out there! Especially, if so! Jesus is still present with us today! Are we present to Him?
Continued Blessings on your journey.