193.A Quiet Place

A Quiet Place

You do not miss something until it isn't there for you anymore. When I was still in religious life, at least during the last 7 years (pre-2002), I had daily access to the Blessed Sacrament. I was always in a monastery, where there was a small private room with Jesus in the Tabernacle or in Exposition on the Altar. Jesus was awaiting us to adore Him, and we did. You'd think that now that I am just an ordinary lay person, albeit a Franciscan one, I'd be rushing to Church daily to sit at least 10-30 minutes in front of the Altar to speak to Jesus.

Well....errr...ahem... I am ashamed to say that it just doesn't happen. But once in a while it does. Today was one of these days. It was a glorious "winter" (well, winter in Florida is a bit of an oxymoron because it's usually warm here, and when it is Summer, then it's unbearably hot, not to mention the fact that the dreaded hurricane season begins again in less than a half year). But today was a great day. A little ocean breeze from the Northeast, Temperatures in the 80 degrees Fahrenheit range, and a solid blue sky. So much better than dark rainy days, right!? Well, don't take this as a Theological fact (it's just me) but on these bright sunny days, I often have an overwhelming desire to go and visit with Jesus for a while (around 30 minutes, or longer). In Vero Beach we have just the place for this, the Eucharistic Chapel at Holy Cross Parish along Rt. A-1-A, a half mile or so north of the 17th Street Bridge. This is a small Air-Conditioned Chapel. It has 6 rows of short benches, and Jesus is found under the Sacred Species of bread in a very special holder (a figure of Jesus made out of wood, as far as I can determine with side panels that show the Apostles). It is simple, quiet, and line of sight is direct. There are always people there. Usually just one or two.

It's a nice place to just quietly visit Him. To talk to Him, to adore Him for His Glory. To thank Him for all He has given us. To ask Him a favor for a sick person or a friend, or often a stranger. Some people worry about the quality of prayer (or lack thereof). We get very distracted. Just ask Jesus to forgive your distractions. They happen. Often we cannot do anything about them. Do you have any pains anywhere? Place that pain to Jesus, ask Him to share it with you. Promise Him you will share His pain on the Cross by sharing the pain of other peoples. And, if prayer doesn't come so easily, please tell Jesus about your hesitancy in prayer. Praying doesn't always need a lot of words, just the intention that you promise to pray for someone is half the battle. But do try to follow up.

Make time for prayer. Don't leave it to chance. Make up your mind to spend maybe a half hour when you get up, a half hour sometime before bedtime, and some time during the day. If you can't think of anything to say to Jesus, there are the usual popular prayers, including the Rosary. But think a bit - we talk to your friends at 50 miles an hour, why then don't we have anything to say to Jesus... just tell Him about your day. Then, when you are done, be silent for a while so that He can talk to you.

I know, I know, people steadfastly aver that prayer is a one-way street from us to God. Well, that just isn't so. Take a good friend of mine. He wanted to make a trip but didn't have the money, so he prayed... the other day, a nice family he barely knew gave him a nice card. He didn't even pay any attention to it at first, then he opened it. Inside were 10 hundred dollar bills. God talks to us. He talks to us when He grants our wishes. And, He talks to the quiet of our heart and soul.

Why is it every morning, after breakfast, that I walk into the direction of the computer, I stop and remember suddenly that it's now time to pick up the book and pray the Office. Remembering anything suddenly in the form of prayer, brings us to the prayer of the day and the Holy Spirit makes us recall where the book is. Praise God.

Then, don't fill the time instead with something worldly. Do pray. Accept God's helping hand right then. Thank Him for His Gift of Prayer. Thank Him for your friends, and most of all, allow yourself to grow up into a person of deep Faith.

May Jesus bless you and keep you.

Fred

Fred S. Schaeffer, SFO
1-13-2006