16^th C Terrace, 2010

by Fr. Terry Brock, Sacred Heart Parish, Terrace, BC

The reading from Genesis begins in this way: “The Lord appeared to Abraham.” Abraham looks up and sees three men who mediate for the Lord. This scene points to the nearness of God in his life and in our life too; not only the nearness of God but the elusiveness of God. God is mysterious as He comes in so many and varied ways. To Mary, he sent Gabriel; to Saul he came himself in the form of a vision. Throughout history God has mysteriously visited his people … visions and heart.

The psalm asks: “O Lord, who may abide in your tent?” The answer is simple, “the one who is blameless and speaks the truth from his heart, and does not slander with his tongue.” When we obey his commands, God is near, his joy is freely given. When we disobey God we are sad, this sadness does not come from God but from the evil one.

In the Gospel, two women are presented, only one makes the good choice. It was Mary. Why, because she sat at Jesus’ feet and listened to him. Sounds very simple, doesn’t it? Another way to describe Mary is to say that she was attentive and present to Jesus. Like, Abraham who was present to the three mysterious men; Mary was attentive to Jesus.

The Spirituality of Presence is a tried and true way to find God, or should I say to discover God or allow God to find you. O how I wish I could live in this way. I don’t know about you but I am easily distracted. I try to read and then check the email; I start writing a talk and then check the score; I begin to pray and my mind wanders. I can’t imagine adding a blueberry to my life! My spiritual director preaches the spirituality of presence not only preaches it but practises it. When you speak to him it seems that you are the only one on earth. Often times he will return to you the following day and say something to the effect of: “I have been thinking of what you said yesterday …” When this happens, I feel loved and accepted and listened to. This is the fruit of the spirituality of presence. The fruit of not being present is the agitation of Martha.

While in Rome … photos, Cell phones, Text messages.

It takes great discipline to be present to others. But practising the spirituality of presence helps us to form good relationships and teaches us to be attentive to the Lord. I strongly suggest that parishioners take some time each week to pray before the Blessed Sacrament. Jesus is the teacher of the spirituality of presence. Eucharistic Adoration: M-W in the morning; M and F evening. Check the times on the front of the bulletin.

The last hour of the day can be difficult, even lonely. Jesus calls us to himself, he wants us to try and be present to him. He will do the rest, i.e. he will speak to us, he will hold our hand, he will affirm us, he will love us, and he will put his arm around us.

Hear the words of St. Aug. that were sent to me just recently.

"And he departed from our sight that we might return to our heart, and there find Him. For He departed, and behold, He is here. "St. Augustine.