Adore and Be Healed

It was Sunday, April 28, 2019; The Feast of Mercy.  On this day, the Second Sunday of Easter, we celebrated.  Beginning with the Holy Mass, three priests, two deacons, and 300 faithful members of God's Family entered a profound door of Mercy and Love as we honored the request of Jesus to St. Faustina, so many years ago, that on the Sunday following Easter we would celebrate Mass, go to confession, and honor the Image He asked to be blessed and venerated this day.  One great moment is when Jesus is held by the priest for the Faithful to adore.  This was toward the end of our Celebration, as the Blessed Sacrament was exposed, there were teachings, praise and worship, and before benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and the conclusion of our Feast, two of us priests took turns holding the Monstrance (the large container that contains the Sacred Host).  Most people would not notice, perhaps, but the priest was holding something very precious, Jesus, and a bit heavy (the monstrance weighed about 15 pounds!).  Two amazing things were happening: healing and reconciliation.  The reason for confession, the sacrament of reconciliation, was to open the door to healing, since that sacrament is a healing instrument. The love I felt as I held Jesus for His children to adore and embrace (some touched, some kissed, some just nodded); and they did just that.  Tears could be seen flowing, the sound of weeping, and the awesome power of God was upon us!  The words I remember from a movie about Boys' Town seemed to fit here as I held My Lord, and Brother, Jesus, the Bread of Life:  "He ain't heavy, ... he's my brother."  The Healing Power of Jesus, Our Eucharistic Lord, is Real, as His Presence in the Eucharist is Real.  

I challenge my readers to spend 1 hour before the Blessed Sacrament.  1 hour.  Like Jesus asked of His Apostles that night in the Garden of Gethsemane. They could not. Can you? The healing available, the strength, power, love, and joy, are something you have to be willing to go and receive.  He is ready to give it!

Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on us and on the Whole World!

submitted by Fr. Ron Mathews, Chaplain