Homily for May 2018 Holy Hour
\n1 Kings 19:9-13a
\nPsalm 31:2, 6, 12-13, 15-16, 17, 25
\n1 Corinthians 11:23-26
\nMatthew 26:36-46<\/p>\n
In June of last year, we begin a Year of the Eucharist in our diocese.\u00a0 Bishop Matano proclaimed this year with the desire to help us deepen our awareness of the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and what the Mass means for us.<\/p>\n
In two and a half weeks (on June 3rd<\/sup>), our Year of the Eucharist will draw to a close as we celebrate the Feast of Corpus Christi, the Most Holy Body and Blood of Jesus.\u00a0 Of course, the end of the Year of the Eucharist does NOT mean that Jesus will stop being present in the Eucharist.\u00a0 Our belief in the Eucharist is based not on this year proclaimed by Bishop Matano but rather on Jesus\u2019 words 2,000 years ago at the Last Supper.<\/p>\n The first thing we started doing differently during this year was to return to the old custom of kneeling after the Lamb of God at Mass.\u00a0 We kneel now in recognition of the Real Presence of Jesus as the priest holds up the Blessed Sacrament.\u00a0 Then we stand as we come forward.\u00a0 Our standing signifies that Jesus lifts us up.\u00a0 So, we have both kneeling and standing now at Communion.<\/p>\n The other change we made at Mass came in October as we began distributing Communion only in the front of church except at Christmas and Easter.\u00a0 I note Christmas and Easter because those are times when the church is filled.\u00a0 When the parish started distributed Communion in back there were far more people in church.\u00a0 Unfortunately, now on our typical Sunday, Communion in back is no longer needed.\u00a0 (By the way, we need to pray for the decline in attendance to turn around.)<\/p>\n Our other big change for our Year of the Eucharist was the addition of our monthly holy hour.\u00a0 This was something I was actually thinking about before Bishop Matano proclaimed a Year of the Eucharist.\u00a0 We need to spend time with Jesus.\u00a0 I personally enjoy the hour before the Blessed Sacrament but would people come?\u00a0 The Year of the Eucharist became the perfect time to try.<\/p>\n I was ecstatic when we have about 45 people show up for the first holy hour.\u00a0 I was worried it might be one or two.\u00a0 Since then our numbers have dwindled to an average in the 20\u2019s but several of you are very consistent in your attendance.\u00a0 So, our monthly holy hours will continue.<\/p>\n What have our holy hours meant for you?\u00a0 I assume since you keep coming, that it has been a good experience.\u00a0 Have you shared with others how the time has been for you to perhaps encourage them to come and deepen their belief in the Real Presence?<\/p>\n As we reflect on what this Year of the Eucharist has meant for us, every one of our prayers, readings, and hymns tonight have been used during previous holy hours this year.\u00a0 I did this to review this year.<\/p>\n I will start with our second reading.\u00a0 It is Paul\u2019s telling of the Institution of the Holy Eucharist.\u00a0 He cites the words of Jesus, \u201cThis is my body\u2026this cup is the new covenant in my blood<\/em>\u201d reminding us that our belief in the Real Presence Jesus in the Eucharist is not some human invention but from Jesus\u2019 own words.\u00a0 This is fundamental to our belief in the Eucharist.<\/p>\n The gospel reading today comes from Jesus\u2019 prayer in the garden as told in Matthew\u2019s Gospel.\u00a0 I use this passage to provide the answer to the question of how long our time in Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.\u00a0 The answer, of course, is one hour.\u00a0 The reason is Jesus\u2019 words to Peter, \u201cSo, you could not keep watch for one hour<\/strong>?<\/em>\u201d\u00a0 Again, it is from Jesus\u2019 own words.<\/p>\n What about the structure of our holy hour?<\/p>\n We use incense as a sign of our prayers going up to God.<\/p>\n We use readings from the Bible to put God\u2019s Word at the center of our lives.<\/p>\n Of course, the Blessed Sacrament is on the altar because of our belief in the Real Presence.<\/p>\n How about the silence?\u00a0 The reason for the silence is found in the first reading.\u00a0 Often, God chooses to come to us in the silence.\u00a0 We need to turn everything else to be aware of God in the silence.\u00a0 God speaks to us in his words found in the Bible and he speaks to us in the silence of our hearts.<\/p>\n So, what are we to do with this hour?\u00a0 Here I turn to our responsorial verse, \u201cFather, into your hands I commend my spirit.<\/em>\u201d\u00a0 Give all to God in thanksgiving for all he has done for us.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Homily for May 2018 Holy Hour 1 Kings 19:9-13a Psalm 31:2, 6, 12-13, 15-16, 17, 25 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 Matthew 26:36-46 In June of last year, we begin a Year of the Eucharist in our diocese.\u00a0 Bishop Matano proclaimed this year with the desire to help us deepen our awareness of the Real Presence of …<\/p>\n