There are times when we value simply the presence of persons whom we know care about us. Let’s say that as children and as youth where we attend school, we are performing in a concert or are playing in a sporting event. It means a lot to us to know that people who care about us are there to watch us. We may not know precisely where they are sitting, but just knowing that they are there for us is very affirming. Their presence helps us to want to do our best.
We also appreciate the presence of others during down times, like when we are confined to a hospital or even to our own homes with a given affliction or illness. Persons who come to visit us don’t have to be charming or witty. Just their presence can buoy us up.
Oftentimes in our day to day lives, we can easily overlook the value of just being present to one another. We live in a highly function-oriented society. We can come to value ourselves and others based upon what we do or achieve. Doing what we do is obviously important and has its proper place. Apart from the strength of affirming relationships, of which our presence to one another is an essential component, we can burn ourselves out if we allow ourselves to become enslaved to what we perceive we have to do.
Just to be present to one another calls for self-discipline. In many cases, being present to specific others at specific times means that we put things that we are planning “to do” on the back burner for the time being. When we do make time just to be with others, most of us are grateful that we did this. Being present to others is a two-way street. Our very presence brings support, encouragement and strength to persons for whom we are present. Oftentimes, when we take time out just to be with others, we ourselves are energized to return to what we do with renewed strength and vigor.
Let’s apply this to our relationship with the Lord. In our function-driven world, we can all too easily come to value God because of what He can and would do for us. If and when particular needs and problems arise, we storm heaven with our prayers. Then, when things seem to go along smoothly, we can put our devotion to the Lord on the back burner.
Something that we can easily overlook is that the Lord is always present for us. A recurring practice that challenges us to exercise the discipline of just being there for the Lord is EUCHARISTIC ADORATION. We have EUCHARISTIC ADORATION weekly at Resurrection Parish right after the 9:30 a.m. Mass on Wednesdays until 11:00 a.m. At St. Mary Parish, the Blessed Sacrament is exposed for our adoration and prayers on the first and third Fridays of each month from right after the 9:00 a.m. Mass until 6:00 p.m.
Just making time to be in the Lord’s Eucharistic Presence can be a two-way street between the Lord and ourselves. Even though the Lord does not need our praise, our presence and thanksgiving are themselves His gifts. The Lord wants us to use His gifts. Thus, as we make time and room just to be in His Presence in a spirit of gratitude, our Lord is pleased by this.
The time that we spend in His Eucharistic Presence can also benefit us. As a result of spending time in the Presence of the exposed Blessed Sacrament, we can grow in the ability to be there for others as the Lord wants this to happen. This in turn can renew in us the strength to return to what we do in an upbeat, grateful spirit. We can grow in the ability to do no more or to do no less than what the Lord wants us to do with and for others in the various settings in which we live and interact with one another. We will grow in the ability to continue to do what we do with renewed energy and in a lighthearted manner. Our activity will be productive in the Lord’s eyes.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Nelson Beaver – Pastor