contemplative:
I have taken some time to think about your couple of replies on this thread. Your tone is different than mine. It seems that there will always being differing opinions.
There are those who feel justified in dismissing Eucharistic Adoration for everyday living demands.
There are those who are dedicated to Adoration of the Eucharist and look foward to their hour in the Presence of Christ in this special way no matter what.
Unfortunately these dedicated individuals don’t always carry the key that unlocks the church door.
All too often those who would dismiss Adoration of the Eucharist for a labor day picnic carry the key that unlocks the doors of the church.
Our parish has perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, including the holidays. It is in a side chapel, with a small lockbox holding the key. I have been attending Adoration for as long as we have had it, and I don’t truthfully know how long that has been - 8 or 10 years, I think; maybe more.
I certainly look forward to my hour. There are, however, times where other issues intrude on my life. It would appear that some here would never allow personal schedules or matters to intercede, and that is certainly their right. However, to be irked about the matter in my way of thinking is a bit over the top. If the people involved in making the decision felt that they would either be significantly short of adorers and/or that it might create a safety problem, then I would think they had made a good decision.
Undoubtedly there are some who might choose not to leave on the holiday, and would want to spend time in adoration. If the church is reasonably secured during nighttime adoration, then I would assume that there would be a way to enter the church to spend some time for those who chose to on the holiday. It might preclude exposition, but the time and location would be available.
If they do not secure the church in the night hours, and it would be locked during the holiday, I would suggest the first thing they need to do when restarting is to deal with the security issue.
But to be irked? Tos judge another’s level of prayer life and/or committment to Christ by the fact that they would want to do something on the holiday? Tad bit judgemental, and a tad bit over the top, in my book.
Perhaps I am reading the OP wrong, but I don’t think so. If they were disappointed that they were not able to spend time that they wanted, I could understand. But irked? I don’t understand. It is often the case that one person in the family has a specific hour; in some circumstances, they are the only fmaily member who has one. If an accomodation is made to those with families who would have other plans, who are we offending, besides the OP? The family? Christ? People who don’t attend adoration that day anyway?
I choose to attend Adoration on Friday evenings from 9 to 10 p.m. because I know that it is an inconvenient time for many others. If I make a choice on a particular Friday night to do something else, is the OP going to be irked with me? I do get that feeling…
And I don’t think that a careful reading of the Gospels will find much other than the fact the Christ, our model, spent time in prayer, and spent time with others - eating, attending wedding parties, visiting friends… as well as spreading the Good News. Sounds to me like Christ spent time in “everyday living demands”.
Would that all spent more time in prayer. Would that everyone in my parish would spend an hour a week in adoration. They don’t, but I am not irked.
Those who feel
justified in
dismissing adoration for everyday living demands?
Sounds to me like a “holier than thou” card just got played.
