I prayed for a tv character

You know you're addicted to a tv show when during intercesory prayer you think to pray for a fictional character who had his spinal cord severed.

Downton Abbey is just so good. The other night I watched about 4 episodes and then the next day in adoration - which is always makes me a little sleepy - I caught myself thinking I should pray for this guy. How funny is that? Or sad? (no, not sad, I was groggy and falling asleep against the wall)

If you haven't watched Downton, I highly recommend it! You won't be disappointed. And you may even pray for the characters.Pin It

Funny isn't it?

Tonight I ran to the Catholic Church that's close by, St. Tims, which has an adoration chapel. It was wonderful. Both parts. I decided that Jesus is absolutely the most motivating and rewarding finish line ever. Which actually applies to life in general as well!

One of the things that hit me while I was there was how God works in my life. You know, often I think how awesome it would be if God worked some crazy miracle in my life. I can't help but want some big explosion of grace and power to prove God's existence and love to others.

But that's not how it goes - at least in my life, and i think it's safe to say most lives. However, tonight I was totally in awe of God's humility. I think it's more incredible that He hides all that power in humility. If we were always seeing these big miracles it'd get old. Instead we have to look for God's hand. He hides so we can love Him more when we see Him in all the little details.

Once Fr. Dominic said "The healing of emotions isn't emotional." It's the same in my life with other things I ask God for. I prayed that I'd be able to trust people more. Do you ever pray for something and then hold your breath, look around and wait for the sudden and drastic change? haha cause I totally do that.

But no, slowly and humbly, day by day He works without me noticing. The God of the universe decides to hide and not let me see His grace working little by little. Then one day, I realize things are different. He knew all along what He was doing. But did it silently. No big show.

Funny isn't it?Pin It

Dust on the Monstrance

I noticed there's dust on the monstrance. 

A fly keeps obnoxiously buzzing around, sometimes landing on the altar cloth that was washed...oh wait...a year ago. There are papers rustling and a mower pelting grass and pebbles at the windows. So much for revered silence. This doesn't resemble Heaven. That's where you belong God; not here. This isn't what you deserve. Plopped among unworthiness, surrounded by hypocrites who can't even concentrate on their God before them. What time is it? I have work to do. The phone keeps ringing. The demands never end. I know you're outside of it, but time doesn't stop here, God. 


Someone lets out a soft snore in the corner. Another sneezes. Probably from the dust. This isn't marvelous. It isn't glorious. I'm shaking my head at you, God. Where's your glory? Why do you deign to descend here? If I close my eyes...will that help? If I try to feel you, will I experience your glory? Maybe if I weren't next to him - he smells like sweat. It's his fault. 

But you chose this. You who are madly in love with your creation, with each of us....with the fly. Searching for you we give you praise. Unseen angels making up for our inadequate worship. You smile on the snore-er, while I judge. Heaven is different, yes...but I'm not there. And you want to be with me. Fr. Dan said I would fall over if I saw your glory. I would be immobilized. So for me, you hide and I have to take the leap of faith- pushing my boundaries to see the unseen behind that bread. 


“Look harder” you say. “My glory is in everything.” This is your heaven- our hearts. The undeserving hold more of your love. I'm starting to understand...It's that you're here despite the mundane, the messy, and the mediocre. Your glory sanctifies. Your glory overlooks. Your glory is in being humbled. Your glory is in making sure that I saw these things. Your glory is even in the things that bother me. 

I noticed there's dust on the monstrance.Pin It