Though I am swamped with schoolwork and did not allow myself to step outside of my house, I am grateful to Busted Halo (BH) for creating the virtual stations on the cross. I was able to take some time out of my day to let reflect on Jesus and His journey on the cross. Here are a few prayers and reflections that spoke to me:
I haven't gotten to do as much for Holy week as I would have liked but I did go to Adoration on Tuesday at St. Malachy's on 49th and Broadway. It was very comforting for me to return to this place I used to frequent when I worked in that area. I met up with a good old friend of mine and as we sat there in adoration a few other friends and fellow christians joined us in silence. After our quiet time with Christ we shared a meal and fellowship at a restaurant on 9th avenue. I felt blessed to be gathered there with fellow young adult Catholics, some new and some old friends.
One of the topics that came up in conversation was how many of us are known as "cradle" Catholics and how difficult it has been to define or explain our reasons for remaining Catholic throughout our lives besides of course saying that "my parents are Catholic." One of the difficulties mentioned were how we do not remember our baptism, and how we secretly long to renew our baptismal vows with Christ in some kind of rebirth ceremony. I remember mentioning that I do have some recollection of my confirmation ceremony and process, but unfortunately do not remember who was my Saint nor much of what I was taught then. I mentioned how I secretly would love to experience my confirmation once again in my young adult life and truly understand the magnitude of receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit of Christ. Though some did talk about remembering the ceremony and knowing their saint, they agreed that it would be a whole different experience as a young adult.
The conversation made me further contemplate about how much we long for belonging and how much we are a people of ritual. In our group there was one fellow who had converted to Catholicism five years ago. He was not a cradle Catholic and remembers receiving his sacraments of initiation. It was quite inspiring to see his conviction for Christ and the Catholic Church. Though we "cradle" Catholics are fortunate to have been born into the church, I think most of us secretly long to renew our vows to Christ so that we can feel more connected to His church, the saints, and the Holy Spirit. May God fulfill this longing for us through Christ Jesus.
Amen.
Thank you Jesus!
Oh God help me to be courageous with Jesus like Veronica was when she wiped the face of Jesus on the Cross.
"Grow your kingdom with us, Jesus. Be there for us in our trials and sufferings, and let us do the same for others." (BH)
Oh God, help us to understand that just "being there" for others helps, the way the women of Jerusalem were there for Jesus during His carrying of the cross.
Oh Lord help us not to fall for the wrong reasons but if we do fall may it be for the right reasons as Jesus did.
"The kingdom begins with nothing more than a deep, personal, intimate and real relationship with Him." (BH)
"...we are Christians only if we encounter Christ...." (Pope Benedict)
Oh God help me to have a daily encounter with Christ Jesus.
"We cannot be part-time disciples." (BH)
Oh God help me to know and focus on the fact that the good outweighs the bad.
Help us Oh Lord "to let go of relationships that no longer give life, to let go of old opinions that hurt others, and to let go of old patterns of living that spread only bad." (BH)
"Please free our fears of letting go.." (BH)
"...and help us to know that you will be there to open new life for us." (BH)
I haven't gotten to do as much for Holy week as I would have liked but I did go to Adoration on Tuesday at St. Malachy's on 49th and Broadway. It was very comforting for me to return to this place I used to frequent when I worked in that area. I met up with a good old friend of mine and as we sat there in adoration a few other friends and fellow christians joined us in silence. After our quiet time with Christ we shared a meal and fellowship at a restaurant on 9th avenue. I felt blessed to be gathered there with fellow young adult Catholics, some new and some old friends.
One of the topics that came up in conversation was how many of us are known as "cradle" Catholics and how difficult it has been to define or explain our reasons for remaining Catholic throughout our lives besides of course saying that "my parents are Catholic." One of the difficulties mentioned were how we do not remember our baptism, and how we secretly long to renew our baptismal vows with Christ in some kind of rebirth ceremony. I remember mentioning that I do have some recollection of my confirmation ceremony and process, but unfortunately do not remember who was my Saint nor much of what I was taught then. I mentioned how I secretly would love to experience my confirmation once again in my young adult life and truly understand the magnitude of receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit of Christ. Though some did talk about remembering the ceremony and knowing their saint, they agreed that it would be a whole different experience as a young adult.
The conversation made me further contemplate about how much we long for belonging and how much we are a people of ritual. In our group there was one fellow who had converted to Catholicism five years ago. He was not a cradle Catholic and remembers receiving his sacraments of initiation. It was quite inspiring to see his conviction for Christ and the Catholic Church. Though we "cradle" Catholics are fortunate to have been born into the church, I think most of us secretly long to renew our vows to Christ so that we can feel more connected to His church, the saints, and the Holy Spirit. May God fulfill this longing for us through Christ Jesus.
Amen.
Thank you Jesus!
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