As we are in a Holy Year dedicated to St. Joseph, I want to conclude this series of articles with a reflection on consecrations. The last several months we have been considering several forms of prayer – the Mass and the Daily Office, lectio divina, and mental prayer, with a separate piece outside of this set on the Holy Rosary.
Mental prayer is the furnace of love on this earth. The Church’s liturgy — Mass, Divine Office, liturgical devotions–, with lectio divina, the Holy Rosary, and personal devotions, all prepare us for the great personal encounter with Christ in our prayer.
The last several months have seen us go through a sea-change, into waters we had hoped we would never see. Now we are on the open seas, and there is a storm about us. What are we to do?
The Church was once very clear on this, in preparing her young people, and her adult converts, for Confirmation: we were becoming militi Christi, soldiers of Christ, entering the fray for the battle for souls.
We are at war. We did not bring this war to others: it has been brought to us. We do not impose ourselves upon others; we seek to share what has been given to us, and we accept that not …
Daily Mass should be the bedrock of our spiritual life, to the extent we are able to assist at the Holy Sacrifice. The Church does not require daily assistance at Mass of us: we are obligated on Sundays and holy days of obligation, unless we are dispensed. Yet the Church’s saints and doctors have always recommended daily assistance, and they advise us to attend with a missal in hand. Why?
Souls that thrive in times like these are deeply rooted in prayer. They spend part of every day in personal prayer and adoration. Perhaps they have access to an open church; perhaps they pray from home. But pray they do.