The other day I was browsing through the channels on the TV to try and find something on the Olympic Torch Relay, however I came across Daily Mass so I turned it on.  The Mass was half way through, they were just singing the Alleluia.

The two older kids were playing in a different part of the room.  As soon as they heard the Alleluia being sung, they stopped and came over to the TV.  My son sat down on the couch and watched the rest of the Mass with me and my little girl would come and watch, then wander and play for a bit and then come back and watch.

There was no prompting from me what so ever to come and watch the Mass but I guess God was doing the prompting.  I was pretty amazed that they were interested in watching Mass on TV.  I guess that means that I have to try to get them to Daily Mass more often and when we don’t make it at least we can watch it on TV!

What I needed to hear

This past Saturday I had an opportunity to go into town, run errands, have supper with a friend and go to Mass all by myself!  It was nice to have a few hours to myself and really nice to go to Mass on my own.

When I take the kids to Mass with me it’s really difficult to listen to a good portion of the Mass.  And although I know it’s important to bring the kids to Mass I also feel like I’m neglecting my own faith life for not being able to listen to some of the Mass.  So this was a special treat to be able to be fully focused on Mass.

Father’s homily was everything that I needed to hear.  He talked about how important it is just to come to Mass, Jesus asks us to be there, this is the way He has chosen to be with us, how can we deny Him our presence?  It doesn’t matter how much we listen, pray or sing as long as we are there, He will provide the graces.  The other thing that Father talked about was something that I could take back to my husband (not that it did much good, but I tried).  Father said that some people complain about being bored at Mass, how can we be bored in the presence of Christ?  Jesus just wants to be with us and wants us to share our time with Him.

I think sometimes we forget that Jesus is actually there, we KNOW that He is there but we tend to not fully understand what that means or not appreciate His presence.

Father’s homily reinforced for me the importance of bringing the kids to Mass even if I don’t fully participate – the important thing is that I am there, the kids are there and we are open to the presence and gifts of Christ.

I am Christ’s; I have given myself to Him; and I ask you Jesus to give me Your Spirit and keep me by Your grace.  For it is by giving myself to God, and believing His promises, that I become His child.

The 5 Finger Prayer

1. Your Thumb is nearest you.  So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you.  They are the easiest to remember.  To pray for our loved ones is, as C.S. Lewis once said, a “sweet duty.”
2. The Pointer Finger.  Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal.  This includes teachers, doctors and ministers.  They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction.  Keep them in your prayers.
3. The Tallest Finger.  It reminds us of our leaders.  Pray for the Prime Minister, President, leaders in business and industry, and administrators.  These people shape our nation and guide public opinion.  They need God’s guidance.
4. The Ring Finger.  Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger.  It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain.  They need your prayers day and night.  You cannot pray too much for them.
5. And lastly comes our Little Finger. The smallest finger of all which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others.  As the Bible says,  “The least shall be the greatest among you.”  Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself.  By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.