To Jesus through Mary,, to Mary for Jesus
I have never been more certain in my life that Jesus and Mary are a team than I am today. We have a glimpse of this in the Gospel where Mary approached Jesus at the Marriage Feast of Cana and asked him to do something for the host. You might say his answer was to mumble and grumble but Mary knew his heart and went about preparing the stewards, "Do whatever he tells you" It is a little bit like this with all of us and myself in particular. She could well have gone to Jesus and told him "This guy needs direction he is hopeless. What can you do?" Jesus probably replied "Well he is very rough at the edges, see if you can smooth him out a bit, then leave him to me" So Mary has been smoothing me out and I have been waiting to be turned over to Jesus. Now the time seems to have come.
Yesterday I was thinking of how in my youth people used to visit the Church in passing to give a nod or a prayer to Jesus. OK, things were easier, the Church was never far away, and whether going to work or shopping it was so easy to pay a quick visit. And you were not expected to stay for any length of time. Then there was the famous story of Jimmy. Jimmy was always in a hurry to get to work but he would just pop into church, remove his cap, and say"Jesus, this is Jimmy". Then he was off. He had a wonderful experience when he was dying of hearing a voice say to him "Jimmy, this is Jesus" Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament had never forgotten his visits and loved him dearly for them.. But as I say things changed and after the Second World War the poor became much richer and poverty disappeared, the enticements of the secular world proved too much for Catholics and Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament became a forgotten figure Practices like Forty Hours Devotion became rare since few people participated. We even had the Tabernacle containing Jesus removed from the altar. Yet love of the Blessed Sacrament survived despite it all.
With the exception of large cities like London and shrines like Walsingham the Blessed Sacrament, the great gift of Himself living among us, and He could give none greater, is ignored outside Mass or Church services. He to who thousands flocked to be healed, to give their stories, to ask forgiveness, to ask for favours; He who cried out "Come you who labour and are overburdened and I will give you rest" is left alone in the Tabernacle when he wishes so much for our love. Even when people arrive in the parish for committee meetings the majority never pop their heads into the Church to say "Hello" like Jimmy did.
My plan is to visit the Church two afternoons every week. I will then ask others to join me for one hour or even if they can spare a nod they will be welcome. So many unhappy and lonely people write in Facebook about their problems and do not think of a visit to Jesus and telling him. My vision sees parents bringing their children for a few minutes once a week after school and more if they are inclined. Nothing could strengthen a child's faith more. Then if you need help in praying someone will be there to talk things over during a cup of tea.
With this in mind I went to Church this morning and found two books at the CTS stall which were just fitted perfectly. Thank you Mary, now I am ready for Jesus.
Yesterday I was thinking of how in my youth people used to visit the Church in passing to give a nod or a prayer to Jesus. OK, things were easier, the Church was never far away, and whether going to work or shopping it was so easy to pay a quick visit. And you were not expected to stay for any length of time. Then there was the famous story of Jimmy. Jimmy was always in a hurry to get to work but he would just pop into church, remove his cap, and say"Jesus, this is Jimmy". Then he was off. He had a wonderful experience when he was dying of hearing a voice say to him "Jimmy, this is Jesus" Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament had never forgotten his visits and loved him dearly for them.. But as I say things changed and after the Second World War the poor became much richer and poverty disappeared, the enticements of the secular world proved too much for Catholics and Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament became a forgotten figure Practices like Forty Hours Devotion became rare since few people participated. We even had the Tabernacle containing Jesus removed from the altar. Yet love of the Blessed Sacrament survived despite it all.
With the exception of large cities like London and shrines like Walsingham the Blessed Sacrament, the great gift of Himself living among us, and He could give none greater, is ignored outside Mass or Church services. He to who thousands flocked to be healed, to give their stories, to ask forgiveness, to ask for favours; He who cried out "Come you who labour and are overburdened and I will give you rest" is left alone in the Tabernacle when he wishes so much for our love. Even when people arrive in the parish for committee meetings the majority never pop their heads into the Church to say "Hello" like Jimmy did.
My plan is to visit the Church two afternoons every week. I will then ask others to join me for one hour or even if they can spare a nod they will be welcome. So many unhappy and lonely people write in Facebook about their problems and do not think of a visit to Jesus and telling him. My vision sees parents bringing their children for a few minutes once a week after school and more if they are inclined. Nothing could strengthen a child's faith more. Then if you need help in praying someone will be there to talk things over during a cup of tea.
With this in mind I went to Church this morning and found two books at the CTS stall which were just fitted perfectly. Thank you Mary, now I am ready for Jesus.
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