From the vicar…
My heart is still singing following Mass this morning at
Bethany House! What an amazing God we
serve – a God who loves us, knows us each by name, and who is calling us to
enter more deeply into his life of grace and mercy!
I went back to Bethany House this evening to pray Evening
Prayer and to sit quietly in the Presence of Jesus (his Sacramental Presence in the
Tabernacle). I was amazed, as I always
am, at the sense of peace I find in entering Bethany House and the Chapel of
Saints Mary and Martha.
As the Lord spoke to me through his word and in my heart, I
couldn’t help but wonder how many people pass Bethany House each day, not
knowing what they’re passing. Yes, the
sign is out front. Yes, the cross sits
atop the roof. But do they know that Jesus
is both spiritually and physically present (in the reserve Sacrament in the Tabernacle) in that little house?
I’m so thankful for what the Lord has given us in Bethany
House. I prayed a simple prayer tonight,
as I let the Lord spill his love over me:
“Lord Jesus, call us – and your whole Church – out of our
concerns, fears, and complacency. Enable
us to take the risks involved in following you without reserve. Give us the grace to say ‘yes’ when you ask
us to overcome our fear of the unknown or when you ask us to surrender
something we have loved or when you lead us into the depths of other peoples’
problems. Lord Jesus, strengthen us to
become stronger disciples.”
If you haven’t begun making time for Eucharistic Adoration
(quietly sitting with Jesus in the Chapel, listening to him, bearing your heart
to him, praying the Daily Office or the Rosary), please consider doing so. Yes, we can pray anywhere. But Bethany House, the Chapel of Saints Mary
and Martha, is an outpost of heaven (like every Church with a Tabernacle that
houses the Blessed Sacrament).
“Face-time” with Jesus makes all the difference! Spend some time with him. You’ll love it – and you’ll love him more
deeply – I can vouch for it!!
God bless you, brothers and sisters!
Father Todd