Day Five - Silence and the Sacrament
Tonight, in lieu of the Evening Office I spent time in the presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Exposition, Adoration and Benediction were never really part of my own personal piety, but since coming to serve in this parish, and having become a regular attendee of On Fire Mission's national conference , they have become increasingly important for me. Having now experienced the powerful and yet peaceful presence of Jesus in this way, I would not want to be in a situation where I couldn't again. There is a lovely story of the Curé d'Ars, St Jean Vianney. One day in his latter years, the priest noticed a peasant come into the church building and gaze for hours at Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. The saint asked him what he said to Jesus during all that time. The peasant replied, 'Nothing. I look at Him, and He looks at me.' There is something profound in that story. As we gaze at Jesus (whether that's in an icon or a stained glas...