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Suddenly, Hope
When Moses led his people from Egypt and across desert, the miracles that freed them felt so distant when thirst lingered under the hot desert sun.
Here, then, in their thirst for water, the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “Why then did you bring us up out of Egypt? To have us die of thirst with our children and our livestock?”
So Moses cried out to the LORD, “What shall I do with this people? A little more and they will stone me!
The people had grown so desperate and intemperate that Moses feared them.
[….] Strike the rock, and the water will flow from it for the people to drink. Moses did this, in the sight of the elders of Israel.
The place was named Massah and Meribah, because the Israelites quarreled there and tested the LORD, saying, “Is the LORD in our midst or not?”
They longed for water, but there was none to be found. Suddenly, from nothing, water sprang and hope was restored. The people’s salvation was not in sight, but in faith.
The Lord accomplishes much through the regular and mundane actions of people. Our societies are rightly bustling with activity to defend against and conquer the virus. But hope begins with prayer, remembering He who brings life from nothing. If we must suffer long before the remedy, it is a familiar trial.
My parish has initiated 24-hour adoration (prayer beside the tabernacle) for the foreseeable future. I’m sure ours is not the only renewal of dedication.
Published in Religion & Philosophy
The National Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe in Libertyville, Illinois live streams 24-hour adoration via YouTube. Their website also live streams, but with reduced hours.
https://youtu.be/nY8XzxYvah0
(Edited to try to embed video stream.)
Our parish initiated Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration over three years ago. It takes over 300 people, hourly guardians and substitutes, to keep it going 24/7. Quite a commitment.
But, we’ve inspired other parishes in the diocese to adopt the practice and now we have to find more guardians (or commit to more hours) to fill the slots vacated by people committing to their own parish’s PEA. God will provide.
Attaboy Aaron,
Now is the very time to remember your faith. Unfortunately, my Synagogue that stayed open through a whole list of Hurricanes has succumbed to the Corona pressure. I had to daven (pray) in my apartment this morning. I haven’t missed a minyan (10 men) at shul for a very long time.
I guarantee you that it will be the faithless who lose their bearings. They will make this thing worse. Stay on the derech (straight path) and Gd will hear your prayer.
Regards,
Jim
They suspended Mass at our diocese. I doubt they would let us in for adoration.
Ours is still going despite no Masses. I was there this morning. It’s typically no more than 10 or 20 people even in the middle of the day. When I’m there for my hour, it’s me and a young man (I’m praying will become a priest), but he only joined me several months ago. For years, I was there by myself, which was never a problem — my alone time with Jesus.