Dear Parishioners,
Peter, James, and John are brought by Jesus up the mountain to experience the Transfiguration. They fall asleep when they get to the top. This idea of falling asleep in front of the Lord strikes me, so let me reflect a bit on it.
This might sound weird, but I enjoy it when I’m in the Adoration Chapel and I see people falling asleep. Not that I’m looking at people, but it’s a small space and sometimes you can’t help but notice or hear. One priest I know calls it “prayer fishing,” since the head bobs up and down like a fishing line. I enjoy seeing people fall asleep because it means they’re tired and that they are finding rest before God. I’d rather them fall asleep in the Adoration Chapel than in front of a TV or, God forbid, behind the steering wheel or at work. I’m happy to see that a person feels comfortable falling asleep before God. When a person nods off I say a silent prayer for them–that they may rest peacefully–and then I pick up the slack for them. I’ll offer prayers on their behalf. I think of when I used to fall asleep as a child on the couch and my dad would carry me to bed. I feel like I’m carrying the person to God.
So, if we think that Peter, James, and John falling asleep on Mount Tabor is a bad thing, I might encourage you to think twice. It wasn’t their fault they fell asleep. It’s almost as if Jesus intentionally tired them out by making them hike up the mountain. He wanted them to rest, and while they were resting he exposed his divinity. (The connection with falling asleep in our Adoration Chapel isn’t a random one…what is occurring in the monstrance is similar to what occurred on Mount Tabor.)
Now, so you don’t think I’m some great saint, I want to confess that I often nod off in the Adoration Chapel too. So these words are very much preached to myself, for I often feel bad when I fall asleep in the chapel. I think it’s embarrassing, I think I’m wasting time that should be spent on praying, and I feel weak, like I can’t control my body. Also, if God himself is present before me like the Transfiguration, how could I fall asleep as if it were some boring movie? You might have similar shame when you fall asleep in prayer.
Please don’t. Peter and the others felt some fear when they woke up. Jesus quickly dismissed that. Like a parent enjoys seeing a sleeping child, I’m sure Jesus was proud to see his disciples being vulnerable. For sleeping is a very vulnerable state. Our God loves you very much when you are tired.
(Now, Gethsemane will be a different matter, but that’s a topic for another occasion.)
May you feel comfortable around Jesus like Peter, James, and John. And if you’re awake and seeing someone sleep, perhaps you’ll carry them to the Lord.
+
Please be reminded that we will have a Family Mass in the Holy Family Chapel this Sunday, March 16th at 10:30 a.m. Also, please note that due to Palm Sunday, Easter, and Spring Break, there will be no Family Mass in the month of April.
The next Word on the Street will be this Thursday, March 20th at the Harp and Fiddle bar in Park Ridge. I will be joined by my two good priest friends, Fr. Victor Ingalls and Fr. Pat Arensberg, who are priests in Mobile, Alabama. We hope to see you there.
We will have Stations of the Cross on Friday, March 21st at 7 p.m. in the upper church. That same night we are hosting a Fish Fry in the gymnasium. Thanks to the Knights of Columbus and AOW for making this possible.
We are in the midst of our annual Lenten Almsgiving Project. This year we are supporting the struggling parishes in Mobile, Alabama. This African-American community has many needs and very few resources, so our support will be a tremendous help. Fr. Victor Ingalls and Fr. Pat Arensberg will be with us at the weekend Masses, March 22nd-23rd, to speak about their mission. Our work with Catholic Extension Society has been significant over the years (we’ve even earned an award because of it), from helping parishes and communities all across the United States, from the northwest United States to Puerto Rico, and now the south. Thank you for your generosity.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. James Wallace
Comments