When he was at table with them, he took the bread. He blessed the bread, and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized him!(Luke 24:13-35)

Thursday, April 16, 2020

Teach a man to fish

I get the feeling that sometimes when in prayer I, too, am a fisherman like Peter and his friends (John 21: 1-14).  I cast my net repeatedly, over and over again until my arms are tired and my back is aching.  Then, when my prayers are concluded I turn on the TV or read the news and lament how bad things are in the world.

It’s at times like those that I need to stop casting my net for a while where I want to—where I think the fishing is best—and wait for instructions from God through His Holy Word where I SHOULD be fishing.   This is what the Mass and Adoration are for me—a time to stop fishing and head for shore, where Jesus is waiting to give me new instructions.

His instructions are usually, “Come and eat.  Fill yourself with My Body and Blood.  Come and experience love in its highest form—be with Me for a time.  Come and listen and learn how to make Heaven on Earth.  Come and be.  Just be.” That’s why I love going to Adoration and Mass so much.  During these visits with our Lord, I don’t worry so much.  I don’t fret.  I don’t think about how the world is going.  I only think about now---and that I’m with Jesus.  

Then, nourished and strengthened by His Word and Presence, I can face my fears for this world and those I love the most with confidence and hope realizing, in the words of St. Peter, "There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved." (Acts 4:1-12)

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