Pope Francis has asked you for a day of fasting and prayer, specifically targeted for peace in war torn Syria. Besides the issue of how fabulous it is to see our Pope wading into the land of international diplomacy, here in the cyber convent we have learned to power of mass prayer.
Not Mass prayer. Although mass prayer with Mass prayer is just dandy. I'm talking about when we all pray together at the same time. Literally the same time. Using a clock and paying attention to time zones.
Tomorrow the Vatican is holding a five hour prayer service, which is another fabulous idea, considering the time zone issue. The vigil is Vatican time from 7pm until midnight on the vigil of the Birth of Mary, Queen of Peace. So adjust your time accordingly to join in.
You can pray all day. The Pope has asked you to fast, too. Fasting is a great way to prepare for prayer. Fasting is a prayer in itself, but helps to focus your mind. The simple rule of fasting is: only one meal and two smaller meals that, when added together, wouldn't exceed the amount of one meal. No between meal snacks.
Alcohol is allowed! "Crazy talk!" you say. No, you can have wine with your dinner, or a Tom Collins while you put your feet up. Obviously, it's not the best plan to indulge in anything on a fast. Indulging yourself flies in the face of the the spirit of fasting. GET IT TOGETHER! This is world peace we're going for here!
So put away the ice cream and Jack Daniels, set your clock and focus your mind. You don't have to go for five hours, but join in for as much as you can during the five hours.
Because there are 1.2 BILLION of us. Catholics. I realize that all 1.2 billion probably won't get the message. They're off the grid or still on vacation or skeptical or lazy or not playing with a full deck. But I'll bet a few non-Catholics will pick up some of the slack.
DON'T BE PART OF THE SLACK! Do as much as you can, even if it's just a little, because you will be amplified a billionfold. Let's go Catholics!
7 comments:
I'll be praying!
Susan
We have a prayer vigil scheduled. It will be later in the day, but better fits the parish schedule. Where two or more are gathered...
Here's a non-Catholic who's hoping to remember to not slack. You have brought so many wonderful things to my attention through this blog-- and I'll let my sisters and Mom know, too. Anyway, thank you, and bless you. I've felt so sad every time I've read/seen Syria news, and this is definitely something concrete I can do.
I am yet another non-Catholic praying with you from noon onward.
We couldn't fast here in Australia, because there was an election going on; so our archbishop arranged a whole week or prayer, with the day of fasting to be either this Friday or Saturday - I'm afraid I can't remember which it was.
My children would say that I am beginning to be heard of hearing - if Father speaks V-E-R-Y clearly!! - then I'm just fine.
St. John Chrysostom today, and appropriate to my question, sort of, he was fantastic speaker--I remember learning in grade school the word mellifluous--"honey tongued". I thin the only time you can use the word is in describing this saint.
So my question, Sister, is this. We are a small town parish. Our religious education program has gotten a good new start for the year. Our middle school group is growing. Our high school confirmation classes are great. Our high school youth group is getting a new boost. And our RCIA program is thriving in English and in Spanish.
We have a local satellite community college campus and many of our young adults are starting their college education close to home. It is a group that has more or less escaped notice in the parish. We need to reach them. The main campus has a Catholic student center nearby. The universities have Newman Centers. Where do we start? (I know. The first step is to pray over it. But then...?)
BTW, I am a senior citizen myself--and yes, we have a senior group that gathers once a month.
I wonder if St. John Chrysostom mellifluously talked me into this question.
It is hard to tie up today's first reading about God being so angry with the people He had to be persuaded by Moses not to let His anger consume them, and the Gospel about His forgiveness for the prodigal son. How can this be the same God?
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