Gonna Be a Long One

Nehemiah 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10 - Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly, which consisted of men, women, and those children old enough to understand. Standing at one end of the open place that was before the Water Gate, he read out of the book from daybreak till midday, in the presence of the men, the women, and those children old enough to understand; and all the people listened attentively to the book of the law. Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform that had been made for the occasion. He opened the scroll so that all the people might see it - for he was standing higher up than any of the people -; and as he opened it, all the people rose. Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people, their hands raised high, answered, "Amen, amen!" Then they bowed down and prostrated themselves before the Lord, their faces to the ground. Ezra read plainly from the book of the law of God, interpreting it so that all could understand what was read. then Nehemiah, that is, His Excellency, and Ezra the priest-scribe and the Levites who were instructing the people were weeping as they heard the words of the law. He said further: "Go, eat rich foods and drink sweet drinks, and allot portions to those who had nothing prepared; for today is holy to our Lord. do not be saddened this day, for rejoicing in the Lord must be your strength!"

Thoughts: I read this passage multiple times as I am lectoring this weekend and this was the reading I was to proclaim. On my second time through the reading, it struck me that all of these people came to hear the word of God with as much excitement as people going to a football game. 

Sometimes, we go to mass and think boy is it going long today. I would venture to say we have all done it at one time or another. We sit there and try to listen but we keep checking out watch. It is lasting over an hour, yikes! But the people (children included) in this passage today came to hear the word proclaimed to them. They stood out there from daybreak to midday. I am guessing about six hours. Could you imagine what would happen if mass lasted an hour and a half, let alone six hours? I have heard of places in South and Central America where mass routinely last three plus hours. I can only pray for the faith to hunger for the word so bad as to listen for six hours. 

They didn't just sit there looking at their watches. They were engaged and excited. They raised their hands high and shouted Amen. Starting to feel like a football game or at least a pep rally. In these scriptures God urges us to be approach Sunday's with excitement and to celebrate. 

Let's have an extra piece of desert and some sweet tea. We have been given the scriptures, the Bible as a guide and cause for celebration. May we all find great consolation and reason to celebrate as we hear the word of God proclaimed to us today in Holy Mass.

What Time Is It?

I am neurotic about time. I would rather be 15 minutes early than 1 minute late. I also like to have a schedule. 'Wasting' time is something that drives me a bit crazy. 

I had my spiritual life pretty on schedule. Now, I don't know about anyone else but I find that when I try inserting 'Robert' knows best into my spiritual life all I ever end up with is a good chuckle from God. My schedule was pretty impressive though.

5:30 am - I read the daily readings and start with some prayer.
6:30 am - morning prayer
9:30 am - rosary
6:30 pm - evening prayer
9:00 pm - spontaneous prayer before bed

On Friday's I would go to morning mass at 8:30 am. This schedule felt pretty good, pretty comfortable. God does not like us to get too comfortable though. When we are too comfortable we can forget that we need Him. This time was no different. God was not about to leave me comfortable too long. 

My daily rosary time was getting many conflicts. Friday morning mass was getting rearranged by different things. My wife wanted to do evening prayer with me but not until later in the day. I was being forced to look at and change my prayer life. 

My frustrations were actually bringing me closer to God. I was starting to have more contemplative and reflective prayer. Some of my old devotions, while still good, were taking a temporary back seat. A healthy and alive prayer life is one that is always changing and evolving. I find I am moving closer to living in the presence of God where he is with me always. 

Sometimes, I feel like my prayer life is getting flat or dry. This brings me joy though because I know that is where I will meet Jesus on a whole new, exciting level. I pray that everyone will allow themselves to be in that place where they will meet Jesus on a whole new level.