In the last six months, three different friends, two who were newly dating, and one whose relationship was getting more serious mentioned that recent dates had included a visit to Adoration! And what is more interesting, Adoration was the suggestion of the guy. Date night Adoration. Who knew? Just last week, Sarah Yaklic, the coordinator of young adult ministry was sharing with me that the number of young adults coming to our monthly Adoration is increasing. Two different generations of Catholics are rediscovering the grace of Adoration. Growing up I thought Adoration was strictly for grandmothers, then it seemed to have disappeared from parish life. But it’s back!
At Home with the Lord
For me, Adoration is the experience of being “at home”with the Lord. My parents moved into the house in which I was raised a week before I was born and they lived in the house for 45 years. When they were ready to move, my brother and his wife bought the house and so today, it remains in my family. When I visit, I love to walk through each room, though different then when I was living there, it feels like “home” in a way no other place I have lived has felt. For me, Adoration is the spiritual experience of home. Sitting in the presence of the Lord, feeling completely myself with the Lord, allowing that presence to fill me.
A few years back, I discovered a homily on the story of Jesus in the house of Martha and Mary, in which Augustine talks about the meaning of Mary choosing the better part. Augustine points out that Mary, sitting at the feet of the Lord prefigures the experience of heaven. In heaven there will be no more work or service in the name of the Lord, we will live in the presence of the Lord and we will “be” rather than “do.” Augustine suggests that for many of us, this may come as a shock, that we may need to learn how to be with Our Lord. Augustine had my number! I decided that I needed to practice the prayer of being. Now, if it has been awhile since I have made a visit, I miss it, the way I miss quality time with a good friend. Luckily, this Lent, all over the archdiocese, parishes are offering Adoration.
The Light is On for You
Beginning Wednesday, our annual The Light is On Campaign begins. In all of our churches, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Confession will be offered. In many of our churches, there will also be Adoration. In the words of Pope Benedict XVI, The Lord is present, watching and waiting for us to come into his presence. Adoration in an invitation to be with the Lord. For many of our parishes, Adoration is also a regular part of parish life. If you would like to find a parish near where you live or work that has regular Adoration, contact my office at [email protected] and we will help you find one.
Augustine points out that Mary, sitting at the feet of the Lord prefigures the experience of heaven. In heaven there will be no more work or service in the name of the Lord, we will live in the presence of the Lord and we will “be“ rather than “do.” Augustine suggests that for many of us, this may come as a shock, that we may need to learn how to be with Our Lord. Augustine had my number! I decided that I needed to practice the prayer of being.
I think this “being vs. doing” goes a bit too far. Augustine states, “In Martha was the image of things present, in Mary of things to come. What Martha was doing, that we are now; what Mary was doing, that we hope for.” — again, “what Mary was doing“.
Those in heaven are not merely in a state of “being,” they also continue to “do,” they continue to work and serve.
And what work and service is it that they do beyond merely sitting at the feet of the Lord?
They pray for others. The saints — those in heaven — are in the business of intercessory prayer. The saints do not “rest in peace,” but are busy helping the Lord in the work of salvation. Now, it may be true that they do this “work or service in the name of the Lord” while sitting at the Lord’s feet, but such doing, working, and serving is more than merely the passive state of being.
Indeed, you conclude that you need to “practice the prayer of being,” thereby implicitly recognizing that prayer is doing, not merely being.
Bender,
This is an excellent point! Thanks for reading the homily and taking it one step further.
Susan,
Just in time for my retreat. Thanks for this insightful posting and the link to the homily text.
Lisa Gulino
http://www.thecatholicdifference.org
Happy to be of help!