Friday, December 22, 2023
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
This week’s journey On the Road to Emmaus is a little bit different. Usually, I throw out a challenge to you and then introduce a guest contributor to explain what difference embracing this challenge will make to our lives. This week, however, the subject of the film is yours truly.
My challenge is to make a Holy Hour and invite somebody to join you when you do. What is a Holy Hour? A Holy Hour is sixty minutes spent in the company of Jesus Christ in the Most Holy Eucharist. Sometimes the Blessed Sacrament is exposed in the monstrance. Most times He is reserved in the tabernacle. Either way, Christ is present and desires your companionship.
The pious custom of spending an hour with the Lord is inspired by the words of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane the night before his crucifixion. Despite asking the disciples to keep watch with him, he finds them asleep as says: "So, could you men not keep watch with me for an hour?" (Matthew 26:40). Today that divine invitation is being issued to us. So, how best to make a good Holy Hour? Let’s find out together.
+ Earl Boyea
Bishop of Lansing