Monday Musings - On Our Knees

(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)

It is astonishing how hard-headed, stiff -necked and obstinate a people we Catholics and our leaders are. The answer to all that troubles our Church in these times is, has been, and always will be, to humble ourselves by spending time on our knees in front of the Blessed Sacrament and surrendering all that we do to our abandoned and imprisoned Lord. But most of us don't and won't.

The late St. John Paul II envisioned and urged that every parish have Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration. Only a handful have accepted His challenge. 

Despite the demands on his time, this Saint spent multiple hours a day in Eucharistic Adoration - the essential fuel for living a holy life. He, like Venerable Fulton J Sheen, recommended that all priests make a daily Holy Hour.  For the most part, both men have been ignored.

In a recent article written by Monsignor Robert J. Dempsey and  published in Adoremus Bulletin, October, 2018 entitled "To Pray, Protect and Promote: The Bishop's Role in the Liturgical Life of the Church," the author highlights yet more advice given by John Paul II, to his brother bishops - which tragically they have failed to follow.

Citing John Paul II's 2003 Apostolic Exhortation, Pastores gregis, Msgr. Dempsey reminds us that our beloved Pope urged his bishops "to cultivate a love of the Holy Eucharist by devoting a 'fair part of his time' during the day to adoration before the tabernacle. In this way he allows his heart to be molded by the Good Shepherd, who laid down his life for his the sheep, and he can make constant intercession for his sheep".

How different our Church would be today if our Shepherds had heeded this advice. The only hope for them and our Church is that they do so now.