Are You There?

   To me the sanctuary of the Church is a sacred place.  It is a place to go for silence, prayer and worship.  Yet, I see many who are apparently there for socializing.  People are in prayer before Mass begins and others in the next pew are chatting and laughing.  They ignore the fact that they are likely disturbing those in prayer.  Maybe they should consider praying and save socializing for after Mass.

   As do many Catholics, I go to Eucharistic Adoration to be with my Lord in prayer, looking for the quiet and silence so hard to find in our world.  Even there I hear others talking rather than silently praying and worshiping our Lord.  A phone rings and someone digs into their pocket or their purse to silence it; some even answer it and begin a conversation on the way out of the chapel.

   I wonder if they are really there?  Certainly they are physically in the sanctuary or the adoration chapel, but where is the heart, the mind and the soul?  Do they think that just being there is all that is necessary?  To be there is more than just being in a particular space, it requires more than physical presence.  Our Lord wants all of us, not just our physical presence.

   We are blessed to have the opportunity to go to Church or Adoration to worship and give glory to our Lord, but sometimes we seem to withhold so much.  We believe we have fulfilled our “obligation” yet all we did was show up.  The head nods during the homily, the eyes wander to see how Mr. and Mrs. So and So are dressed.  We complain because the choir didn’t sing our favorite hymn.  Oh, and by the way, the sermon was far too long.

   Many all over the world do not have the blessing of unrestricted access to the Lord’s house; they must hide in small groups to worship, always fearful that they may be found out.  But they are there; body, mind, soul and heart.  They are willing to risk arrest and persecution to worship our God.  They are there; are you?

Father, too many times we ignore Your presence.

Not only in our life, but even in Your house.

Help us to clear our thoughts of all but You.

Help us to truly be there with You.

Amen