Romans 14:7-9 “For we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves. If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. If we die, it’s to honor the Lord. Whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. ”
In simplest terms prayer is talking and listening to God just like you would talk and listen to your best friend. St. Theresa of Avila says, “Prayer is to realize how much it means to you to have God’s friendship and how much he loves you.” St. Therese of Lisieux offers this beautiful explanation about prayer: “For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look, turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy.” Begin each day, before you even get out of bed, by speaking to God saying, “Thank you God for giving me this day, help me to spend this day serving you and loving others.” Then get out of bed, live your prayer, and follow Christ.
Deuteronomy 6:13 “Honor the Lord your God, worship only him, and make your promises in his name alone.”
The more time you spend with your best friend the more you start to imitate their behavior and resemble them in speech. The same is true with Jesus. Spend time with Jesus in the Holy Eucharist and before long you will start imitating Jesus’ behavior and talking Christ-like to others. J.R.R Tolkien offers a beautiful reflection on the truth behind Eucharistic Adoration “Out of the darkness of my life, so much frustrated, I put before you the one great thing to love on earth: the Blessed Sacrament. . .There you will find romance, glory, honor, fidelity, and the true way of all your loves on earth, and more than that: Death leading to eternal life.” St. Theresa of Calcutta would spend each morning adoring our Lord before venturing out into the slums of Calcutta to care for the dying. She reflects, “The time you spend with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the best time you will spend on earth. ” We have a Eucharistic Adoration Chapel at St. Columbkille that you can come to anytime day or night and adore our Lord. There is no better way to become a disciple of Jesus than to spend time with Jesus in adoration.
Psalm 29:2 “Honor the Lord for the glory of his name. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.”
A sacrament is an external sign, given to us by Jesus Christ, that effects an internal change or conversion. It is a visible sign of God’s grace. Sacraments and faith are linked together in that sacraments pre-suppose, nourish, fortify and express faith. They build up the body of Christ, the Church. We have seven sacraments in the Catholic Church. The sacraments of initiation: baptism, confirmation and eucharist. The sacraments of healing: confession, anointing of the sick. The sacraments of vocation: marriage and holy orders. Dr. Peter Kreeft explains sacraments in the following way, “Sacraments are like hoses. They are the channels of the living water of God’s grace. Our faith is like opening the faucet. We can open it a lot, a little, or not at all.” When you open your faith life by going to Mass and confession your soul is fed with God’s supernatural life…food for your journey to Heaven. Attending weekly Mass and confessing your sins regularly is a key habit if you want to grow into a disciple of Jesus.
As missionary disciples of Jesus, formed as a community through Scripture and Sacraments, we are sent into the world to joyfully proclaim the Gospel.
6740 Broadview Road
Parma, Ohio 44134
216-524-1987