Yesterday, as often, our pastor led us out the doors of our church and into the streets of town with a Eucharistic Procession after Mass.
This particular day, my son Jacob, 14, had the great privilege and honor of being the Cross-bearer and leading us through the streets.
Just behind our pastor and Our Lord in His Holy Presence, was one of our best friends, Mr. G. who was carrying the procession flag or banner (sorry I do not have a proper Liturgical term for this item)...and just behind him...were myself and two of my sweet little daughters; Mary Clare, who is 7 and currently preparing for her First Reconciliation, and Sarah, 6, who was thrilled to be "taking a walk with Jesus".
I was overwhelmed with JOY at being SOOOOOOO close to the Savior.
As we passed by pedestrians, traffic at red lights, and people coming and going at convenience stores, I prayed for each of them; that the sight of JESUS in the streets would somehow move their hearts closer toward God...especially, the unbelievers.
Father J., our pastor, will usually stop at least 3 times during a Eucharistic Procession...he turns toward us and lifts Our Lord on high...and of course...no matter where we are at that moment...be it the sidewalk or the black top of the Sheetz parking lot...when he turns the Blessed Sacrament to face us... WE KNEEL.
During one of our kneeling moments of Adoration, a group of teenage boys who were across the street on bicycles began to laugh and jeer and mock us. My prayers increased and grew more intense as I begged God to help them SEE HIS SON and come to believe in HIS TRUE PHYSICAL PRESENCE.
Behind me, I could hear my husband's beautiful voice, singing and praying the rosary with us. I could hear my daughter Laura's voice too...She is 16, and I noticed that her voice became just a little more pronounced as we passed the laughing boys..."Thank you, Lord", I prayed. "Thank you, for giving her courage and the grace to NOT be ashamed of YOU".
Later, at home, a few of my kids asked if I had noticed the boys. I told them I did and that I had prayed for them. Little Mary Clare wondered aloud why they would make fun of Jesus and I explained, as gently as I could, that they do not KNOW that Jesus was truly there.
I am so glad and grateful that my children knew it...and believed it...and humbly followed their Savior through the streets...led by their own brother...on a beautiful sunny Sunday afternoon.
WE BELIEVE and WE BEG PARDON FOR ALL OF THOSE WHO DO NOT BELIEVE.
This is one of the best posts I have read for a long time.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
I agree with Victor. Great post!
ReplyDeleteThank you both; Victor and Heather. I am glad that this post brought you JOY today:)
ReplyDeleteJudy,
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that your pastor holds processions often.We need to take Jesus to the streets more often. How sad about the boys who laughed and mocked as He passed. It is one of those internal mortifications I was talking about awhile ago. We can accept the pain that something like that causes us and do as you and your family did and turn it over to prayer.
Thanks for sharing this with us.
What an amazing family you have, Judy! Thank you for sharing this story with us...it was very moving. It immediately brought to mind Jesus carrying his cross and the crowds jeering and mocking Him.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Victor and Heather - great post!
Karinann...internal mortification...so so beautiful; thank you.
ReplyDeleteMary, glad you enjoyed this! I am blessed by your kindness:) xo
What a great family you have. Whenever people mock Jesus or His Mother I feel so wounded inside - so sad for the mockers. Maybe some day those boys will think of this moment and lit by grace will know the truth that Jesus is real and He is among us and He loves them.
ReplyDeleteBarb, that is my prayer for those boys, also...that the grace of the True Presence would have pierced their hearts like a little sword that day...even if they remain unaware of it for some time...until that perfect moment, when they are ready to receive His Truth...and then, may they be filled with the memory of that moment and RECOGNIZE their Savior, among them!
ReplyDeleteColleen, you are welcome...I'm glad you enjoyed the post...we are so blessed to have a pastor who LOVES to have Eucharistic Processions, Rosary rallies, Prayer Hikes, Prayer bike rides, Adoration, and more. I thank God each day that my children have him as an example in their lives for he is a strong, down to earth, athletic, REAL, "messed up my own youth but chose to give my life to Jesus" kind of guy that simply emanates with the JOY that comes from dedicating EACH moment of every day to Christ. He is a true Shepherd and I know that each person in my family (self included) has grown in the Faith and closer to God since knowing Father J.