Why the lack of reverence bothers me

[ccmcmg]

**The best thing to do when others are acting irreverently is to offer our pain and discomfort to God in reparation for our own lack of reverence and to comfort Jesus as he’s being neglected. ** Maintaining serenity and love in our hearts is a WONDERFUL way to mortify our own will. Getting angry at others just feeds our own prideful resentments - NOT a good thing.

It always used to bother me when the altar was abandoned during the sign of peace and the ensuing jolliness washed out the Agnus Dei. Then one morning, I tried to mortify my will and my preferences and, after exchanging greetings with those around me, I focused on the chalice and paten in the empty sanctuary and said over and over in my heart “you’re not alone, you’re not forgotten on your altar. I love you and I’m here with you.” Whatever else was happening was irrelevant. God called me at that moment to serve and love him and I did. What had previously caused bitterness now produced joy and a deeper love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Maybe the others in that parish experienced the love of Christ by greeting others. Maybe they just welcomed the excitement and diversion. I don’t know. But I did learn that in each moment of our lives God calls us individually and presents an opportunity to love him. They key is whether we will act upon it.

Thank you. Your post is very helpful.

I’m trying; it isn’t easy, but I’m trying. That’s all I can do. Part of it is me; I know that. My ADD causes me to be easily distracted, even when I’m trying super hard to focus. But He knows me, and He knows my limitations, as well as what is simply weakness of my own.

Thank you so much for sharing!!

 

[Boy_Wonder]

Thank you. Your post is very helpful.

I’m trying; it isn’t easy, but I’m trying. That’s all I can do. Part of it is me; I know that. My ADD causes me to be easily distracted, even when I’m trying super hard to focus. But He knows me, and He knows my limitations, as well as what is simply weakness of my own.

Thank you so much for sharing!!

You’re headed in the right direction. I’ve found that by shifting the focus and attitude I can try to see what God wants from me in that moment.

St. Therese of Lisieux fought the same battle with staying focussed. Try her book “The Story of a Soul” or a new book about her called “The Way of Trust and Love” by Fr. Jacques Philipe: scepterpublishers.org/product/index.php?FULL=700

When you get off track, have a little aspirational prayer or “mantra” to refocus you. Something simple like “My Jesus show me the way.”

 

[Scott_D]

Related to the topic of reverence: I have a friend who says that we should change churches to go to one where the congregation show more reverence. He says our kids need to see what authentic reverence looks like. The church we go to is not irreverent and not especially reverent-somewhere in the middle. Shouldn’t we try to bolster our own church?