Welcome to this Hour of Adoration led by Sr Anne Flanagan, FSP. The first two minutes of this hour are a space for entering into prayer. She guides you through prayer on the Gospel passage of the raising of Lazarus, and at the end of the Hour of Adoration we recite the glorious mysteries of the Rosary.
However long it takes, this epidemic will run its course. Humanity will come forth, still bound in the winding cloths of the tomb, reminders of death. Jesus will tell his disciples, all those who listen to him, to help the survivors out of a mindset dominated by fear: “Unbind them and set them free.”
To do that we must be like Martha, confident in approaching Jesus through prayer, but with sleeves rolled up for service.
To be the Marthas and Marys and Lazaruses of the post-epidemic world, we need to be the ones who hear the voice of the Son of God now; who set apart sacred time every day to receive the Word of God; who let the Word of God challenge us to a daily spiritual resurrection from whatever comfortable grave we may have dug for ourselves through habits of self-indulgence, sin, entitlement…the spiritual diseases are many. In every sinful act, we wind our own grave-cloths more tightly around us. But while we are in this life, we can still “hear the voice of the Son of Man and come forth” (cf Jn 5:28) to a new and risen life, the life of Jesus in us.
In this time with Jesus, let the Lord call out to you, in the depths of your heart, calling to you to “come out” from whatever it is that keeps you trapped behind the cold stone you may have propped in front of your heart. Let the voice of Jesus penetrate the darkness now, speaking to you as he spoke to Martha, “If you believe, you will see the glory of God. I am the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes in me, even though they die, will live…forever.”
Blessings and deepest gratitude for sharing your Visit with Jesus with us, for your spiritual guidance in this beautiful Holy Hour.
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