Encounters of Faith

There are times in our lives when certain memories cross our minds, not knowing the reason why it was recalled in the first place unless of course it was a cherished memory. There was a particular memory I had recalled several times without truly knowing why, while at Adoration yesterday, that memory came through and with it an understanding about it.

Several years ago while I was working as a cashier not long after my personal experience with seeing our Lord on the Eucharist and other personal encounters, I had an encounter with a gentleman requesting merchandise behind the counter. At that time it was quite busy with many people behind him. I retrieved what I thought he asked for, but when I turned to give it to him, he wasn't there. I looked around for him, next time I looked back he was there. It was a strange encounter, but even more was the strong scent of sweet smelling incense on the money he handed me. After a brief period of time my co-worker and I had both thought how nice that smell was. Yet he did not smell of the scent, only the money did. When we checked the drawer, we couldn't distinguish which one it was.

Anyway, during Adoration this scene replayed in my thought, along with the thought of how I seem to have failed to notice at times when this memory came to mind the specific reason why. In His own loving way it did come to light about that particular encounter, a gift that was given with the certainty that the sweet scent of incense was his way of letting me know he is with me. It was a profound hour spent in silence with a grateful heart for his loving kindness. I know now the reason why this particular encounter was brought to mind on occasion.

How amazing it is that God will use people to give us answers and guidance in the most unusual way when we respond to his love. In this regard I know how truly blessed I am. In many ways I would love to share that blessing with others too, so they may come to know the love God has for them. Relaying a moment in time can often be difficult to describe and then the result of a spiritual encounter can be even harder. It is by the grace of God and the Holy Spirit that this is attainable. Somewhere out there someone may understand and know how much God has spoken in their life and come back to Him.

Pondering

Tuesday was the first day for me to take part in Adoration at the Monastery. A beautiful hour in prayer. I did have an opportunity to speak with another member of our Lay Community, which aided me immensly. It had to do about people who cross our paths and witnessing. Which led to some thinking about what has taken place in my life regarding the Eucharist.

While taking a break from cleaning I took a moment to take a look at the pictures of the Eucharist that I have. After the talk the other day, I needed to take a look not just at the ones that play constantly in the digital picture frame, but go through each one and ponder what was given. I tell you I am always amazed at how truly awesome God is and how he gave such wondrous pictures. The time that it has taken for me to truly understand exactly the importance of this gift.

I've wondered so many times why was I given something so very special when I don't feel like I truly deserve it. What a call that was!!! Just like getting hit by a spiritual two by four. Talk about an awakening, wow. So here I am witnessing by writing, since when I verbally speak I tend to trip over my own tongue. Oh dear, even when I write I do that too, but hey no one is perfect even when God asks that of us those moments of flaws stand out like a black dot on a pure white garment.

Good News

Now this is good news! Perpetual adoration returns to Boston after 40 year absence, it's return comes at a time after much has gone on in Boston. When I read the article this morning on the Diocese newspaper The Pilot I was overjoyed. Eucharistic Adoration has touched my life and I'm sure it would also touch others as well when they open their hearts to Christ present in the Eucharist.

Believing isn't always easy for those in the world, nor is it easy for those who say they have been Catholics all their lives. Sometimes it's dealings with others that we find disbelief in people rather than disbelief in the presence of God. They show how much evil is present in their minds and hearts by how petty they are toward each other. Stooping at levels of nastiness to cause hurt. How many people see this daily in their lives and try to find comfort and solace in God's presence while those around them put their noses constantly in others peoples business. How is it possible to see the very image of God in others when they act so vile. It's no wonder we have lost touch with God when we say we are Catholic, when we are this way with those we deal with. God who is love, waits patiently for us to open our eyes and our hearts to what we do to others.

I sometimes am baffled as well by my comrades in faith and the depths of ugliness that I see in how they talk about others, the digs in their conversations. Those are the moments I no longer see the presence of God in them. Yet this is the way the world is today. This is how we have evolved when we no longer fear repercussion for our actions. Throughout my life I have been a watcher of what goes on around me in the world, seeing the interaction of others. Some of those moments I'm amazed that God doesn't wipe us all out when many of the actions and words of others are evil in their intent rather than good. Knowing how loving and forgiving God is, he gives us all a chance to come to him and mend our ways. And what better way to do that, by placing ourselves at His feet in Adoration. Maybe then the people of the world will begin to change for the better and we might begin to see a new dawn rising.

Corpus Christi

What a beautiful turnout we had yesterday for the Corpus Christi Procession for Vocations. It was held this year in my town of Ludlow, MA. Since the day started out with rain, none of us were certain of the outcome. Yet, God answered those prayers to stop the rain as a beautiful sign of His Love. There is no doubt in my mind that he does answer them. After all we ended up with possibly 600 people walking the procession. The Churches were filled to overflowing. I'm so proud of the people who bore witness to their faith by following Jesus in the walk to bring future vocations. It was announced to us that we now have 28 seminarians since the dedication of the Chapel to Vocations. God is so Good!!!

It seems that God has truly been anwering those prayers. I remember from the beginning praying to restore the life of the Church, to cleanse it, to bring holy priest. It is with hope that this is coming about. It's not just my prayers but those of the faithful as well. Amazingly, finding out that following God is what truly makes a heart happy, it's great. Having detoured enough times in my life while following God, has shown me the depth of His love. Believe me, I think I've tried God's patience more than anyone. He is my happiness, my joy and my life. I've found throughout the years when people abandon you, God doesn't. Nor does he persecute us when we err and don't measure up. He does allow us freedom to do our own will, but he loves when we do His will above our own. It's that simple. That's when we find out that things truly do work out for the best then.