(I am writing a monthly column for my parish bulletin’s Social Justice Ministry, reflecting on the Sunday Readings)
Spending Time with Jesus
Today’s Gospel reading tells a familiar story in the Bible when Jesus visits the home of sisters, Mary and Martha. After Martha complains that her sister is not helping her around the house while they are entertaining company because she is sitting and listening to Jesus, Jesus sides with Mary and states she chose the “better part.”
We too who work for social justice need to make sure we are like Mary and spend time listening to Jesus. It’s easy to be busy with work like Martha, which is good and needed. However, we also need to make time to just be with God. One way we can do this is by spending time in Eucharistic Adoration. We believe that Jesus is truly present, Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity in the Eucharist. So, when the Blessed Sacrament is exposed, we believe we are truly in the presence of Jesus.
St. Margaret Mary Alacoque was a French nun who began receiving apparitions of Jesus crowned with thorns in 1673. Over eighteen months, Jesus explained his desire for his heart to be honored in the devotion and image that we now know as the Sacred Heart. Jesus also told the saint: “I have a burning thirst to be honored by men in the Blessed Sacrament.”
Queen of Apostles now has adoration on Saturdays from 3-5pm. It is an opportunity for us to spend time with Jesus, just like Mary had the chance. Whether we spend the time in silence, or reading spiritual books or scripture, adoration helps us grow closer to Jesus and strengthen our faith. Once we are spiritually filled, we are able to share that love with others and have a real zeal for social justice.
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