Reflection for Wednesday of Week 17: Which How important is it to keep up our communication with God right now?
Good morning.
The Confirmation class continues to meet every Tuesday evening via Zoom. We follow a program from Ascension Press in the USA called “Chosen”. (I have provided the link to the video lessons, if you want to view them). I have always thought that this is such an appropriate title for a Confirmation course because it emphasises the unique relationship between Jesus Christ and the individual at this critical time of their spiritual journey in life. Last night we dealt with the topic of Prayer and I thought that it is worth sharing a couple of salient points from the session with you.
We are so aware at this time that our social contact with each other is severely restricted. Imagine that we did not have the benefit of social media which allows us to have at least some contact with each other! How damaging would that be to our relationships? Would friendships last? Would family bonds be affected?
Imagine if we were cut off from God as well. To some extent, we might argue that our relationship with God has been damaged by not being able to get to Mass and receive the Eucharist. But it would be unfortunate if we lost sight of the importance of communicating with Him – especially now.
Jesus is our friend. We should make talking to him a priority. We should pray regularly, every day.
It is helpful to set aside a certain time for prayer when there are no other distractions. For many of us this has become much more possible while we are confined to our homes. The morning, even during these cold days, is probably the most suitable. The beauty of the day has not yet been interrupted by the chores of the day and other general distractions.
There are many different forms of prayer but it is often helpful to pray for a specific intention. Pope Francis has offered us this opportunity to receive a Plenary Indulgence by including special prayers. We have attached the Decree of the Apostolic Penitentiary on the granting of special Indulgences to the faithful in the current pandemic.
“The Plenary Indulgence is granted to the faithful suffering from Coronavirus, who are subject to quarantine by order of the health authority in hospitals or in their own homes if, with a spirit detached from any sin, they unite spiritually through the media to the celebration of Holy Mass, the recitation of the Holy Rosary, to the pious practice of the Way of the Cross or other forms of devotion, or if at least they will recite the Creed, the Lord’s Prayer and a pious invocation to the Blessed Virgin Mary, offering this trial in a spirit of faith in God and charity towards their brothers and sisters, with the will to fulfil the usual conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion and prayer according to the Holy Father’s intentions), as soon as possible”
“This Apostolic Penitentiary also willingly grants a Plenary Indulgence under the same conditions on the occasion of the current world epidemic, also to those faithful who offer a visit to the Blessed Sacrament, or Eucharistic adoration, or reading the Holy Scriptures for at least half an hour, or the recitation of the Holy Rosary, or the pious exercise of the Way of the Cross, or the recitation of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, to implore from Almighty God the end of the epidemic, relief for those who are afflicted and eternal salvation for those whom the Lord has called to Himself.”
We hope that you find these informative and useful.
God Bless and stay safe. Dc Mike & the team.
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