Mass during the week - Nothing ordinary about this. This is an extraordinary grace and one I am very grateful for.I'm blessed that my parish has a noontime Mass. If there wasn't a noon Mass I'm not sure I'd be able to attend Mass during the week very often. I can't attend a morning Mass because I'm busy getting my daughter ready for school. There is something so special about weekday Mass. I usually go alone and am able to give my full attention to the Lord. Not so on the Sundays. Half the time I am distracted by my daughter sitting beside me. I'm sure those with children can relate! This week I was able to spend a lot of time with God, both at Mass and in prayer. I particularly enjoyed the Old Testament readings from the Book of Genesis. There is something so awe inspiring about meditating on the creation of the world!
Bible study - There's nothing like delving into the word of God! I've been going for a year and a half and we are currently studying the Holy Spirit, so I've been focusing in a special way on the work He does in us and through us.
Prayer - It leaves me awestruck that the Creator of the entire universe meets us in prayer. I'm not sure we'll ever really understand the immensity of this gift. I've had some incredible prayer moments this week and I am very thankful for this treasure. This is a gift that is given to all humans. To think that each of us has the ear of the Almighty. Mind boggling, isn't it?
Ordinary people... extraordinary God.
I love weekday mass too! How lucky you are to have a noontime mass, I wish we had one, mornings are often hard with family obligations, but always a blessing!
ReplyDeletePrayer is such a gift, it is like finding his grace within us. He is there in the sacrament of the present moment.
God bless you Mary!
I know what you mean about prayer. I remember the first time I was told that God initiates all prayer. I kind of had the thought of Him coming to us and saying: "I really want to talk with you." So awestruck is the right word.
ReplyDeleteYou're so lucky Mary to have a noon Mass. Here Mass on weekdays is at 9:30 am (sometimes earlier). On Saturday evening it's 6:00pm and Sunday morning 8:00 am and 11:00 am. Our priest is responsible for two churches about a mile or so from each other and he drives from one to the other as required.
ReplyDeleteGreat post yet again Mary.
God bless.
So glad you get to the noon Mass. I wish we had a Mass during the day that is close to us without all the hand-holding, etc. that I just can't stand. I drive 40 minutes with my husband to get to the Traditional Mass every Sunday and on some holydays, we drive into Springfield to get to the Novus Ordo at one of the parishes up there. I wish our local parish would have midday adoration once a week. I would go. But the church is kept locked up tight. It's hard to do an hour at home by myself - too many interruptions. So God bless you. I'm sitting next to you at Mass.
ReplyDeleteDG,
ReplyDeleteI would actually prefer to attend Mass in the morning if I could but they all start too early. When Michaela is older I will be able to attend Mass in the morning again because school will start earlier but for now I'm very grateful for the noon Mass.
God bless you too, DG :)
Karin,
ReplyDeleteAnd He really does want to talk to us! Amazing, isn't it?
Victor,
ReplyDeleteThe morning Masses here start at 7:00 and 8:00. Before I had Michaela I could go in the morning but now it's impossible. You certainly have a busy priest! It's not easy to run 2 parishes!
Barb,
ReplyDeleteNone of that hand-holding stuff, huh? I used to hate that too :) My parish doesn't do that but sometimes I do attend other churches that do . I've gotten kind of used to it and it doesn't bother me much anymore. My father can't stand churches that hold hands! Mushy stuff makes him uncomfortable :)
Colleen,
ReplyDeleteSorry about the yawn on the moral theology. I'm sure it was very interesting indeed. Soooo, how many books did you read on your Nook while you were in there ? Just askin' ;)
Hi Mary,
ReplyDeleteI've answered your comment on my Blog about John 6 - and also wrote a post about it.
God bless.
I too agree how awesome God's presence is with us when we call upon His Spirit. Blessings to you Mary.
ReplyDeleteLoved your post on John 6, Victor!
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting, JBR! I just got off your site and am glad you seem to feel a little better today. God bless you too :)
ReplyDeleteThese are beautiful Sabbath Moments, Mary. And, yes, it IS awesome that we "have God's ear".
ReplyDeleteI am so glad (and perhaps, just a TAD bit jealous) that you have the opportunity to attend some daily Masses all alone. WHAT A BLESSING.
As you have been pondering the priceless gift of prayer...I have been struck with a powerful meditation lately on "Christ in the womb"...a friend of mine, whose tiny baby girl died in utero (but she delivered her and we attended the funeral) showed us a photo taken of her daughter's tiny hand inside the Daddy's great, big, strong hand...this baby was 20 weeks along and was ALL THERE...every little finger, knuckle, toes and arms and legs...ALL THERE...and as I gazed at that picture, it hit me: I have pondered Jesus as the Infant, born in Bethlehem many times...but never really thought hard about the time he was IN THE WOMB...when HIS little tiny hands and feet were forming...when HE...MY GOD AND KING was a mere 20 weeks along...anyway...it was a Sabbath Moment to be sure and I just thought I'd add it to your comments on prayer. xo
Judy,
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear about your friend's daughter, Judy. This is such a terrible loss for a mother (and father) to go through and I pray that Jesus and Mary will console them.
Your comment on Jesus in the womb is very beautiful, Judy, and is something I meditate on sometimes too! I often offer Christ in Mary's womb to the Father in reparation for the sin of abortion in this world.
God bless you, Judy :)