Reverence to...GOD!

Every celebration of the Mass must fill us with a sense of God’s presence.

Too often we begin to talk in the Church and sometimes talk out loud. We call to a friend across the aisle. We forget where we are and how we should behave.

Sometimes people are standing on the Altar and are talking. I have seen people who come to help the Sacristan and they talk away to glory while being on the Altar and I have seen them lean on to where the mass is being celebrated from. I mean talk about lack of reverence. If you don't feel reverence, most definitely there is a lack of the presence of God in ones life.

Couple of months back at Mt.Carmel’s there came in a man who was in a way helping this lady who does the flower arrangements (out of her hobby) and he walked into the inner prayer room where the ‘Blessed Sacrament’ is present. I was the only one seated there. He thought no one would notice. I wouldn’t if he didn’t behave like he was doing something wrong. I normally don’t mind peoples business. But this person crossed the line. After I finished speaking with Jesus, I saw him in the room talking away. I excused myself and told him that one must not walk into the prayer room with their shoes on. He said he forgot. I replied you must never forget that you are in the presence of Jesus. The flower lady told me it is okay. I replied no, it is not okay. It is wrong. I did not go to argue or sound harsh. Like I said, I don’t go minding other people’s business. But there is a line one must never cross. 

The beautiful thing about St. Peter’s Church (‘Blessed Sacrament’) is they have put a notice-that one must remove their shoes and then enter. I appreciate that. 

I think there should be a notice for cell phones as well. I don’t know of St. Peter’s at Mt.Carmel’s there are people’s cells ringing in the prayer room ('Blessed Sacrament’) itself. The height of irreverence.  

I think we must inculcate this into our lives that we must come with our whole hearts in reverence to God. If we can’t show reverence to God we are useless. To feel reverence we must become aware of the presence of God. When one does not feel His presence - one simply lacks the most essential aspect to revere God.

We pass by the tabernacle with barely a nod. But if one meets with friends, then there are hugs and kisses. We barely notice God, and it is He who makes the time to be with us. We do a 'shoo fly' version of the Sign of the Cross, it seems so difficult, but we sure can lift the cell with such style and do the-what do you call it-yes-click selfies. Surprising that we don’t realize that it really is self-selfish-selfie. Selfish world. Selfie world. All obsessed about oneself. Think about it.

All of these actions show a lack of reverence and a lack of awareness that we are in God’s house; He is the King of Kings; and we are receiving Jesus Himself in the Eucharist. If we were aware, surely we would be in awe.

Disrespect tends to spread like wildfire. If one person is calling across the aisle, then other people think, ‘I can do that too.’

On Sundays, at the 10:15 am mass, the female lectors-(the confirmation students), one will always find them dressed inappropriately. Is it Inappropriate? A total and complete YES especially when one is on the Altar? I am sure every one notices. We have taken the celebration of the mass for granted. We are all accountable to God. 

God is HERE and we just don’t know how to behave. 

The practise of...

We need to be in a better understanding of how we can love God more.

There is a need for great reverence in our relationship with Jesus. To praise God in peace the soul needs a reverent atmosphere. Reverence must be observed because it is right and proper, always and everywhere to conduct ourselves with respect before God.

Reverence comes from an attitude deep within the heart. When we respect God, beholding Him with awe, we naturally reflect it in our very actions.

Fear of God is absolutely necessary. ‘Fear of the Lord’ is a gift of the Holy Spirit! This gift gives the soul a deep respect for God and a desire to avoid sin. It helps a person be attentive and ready to respond to the urging of God.

This type of fear reminds us of the greatness of God to whom we are speaking and the smallness of ourselves. From this profound awareness of the true awesomeness of the Almighty God comes reverence.

Those who are reverent know God well and their proper place before Him. We show reverence when we truly believe (and act accordingly) that we are in the presence of the Almighty Omnipotent God.

Ways to Jesus: Approach Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament with great reverence and speak with Him; make an act of thanksgiving after receiving Holy Communion; (out of greater reverence).

Once reverence for God is lost, then as night follows day, respect for nature and persons won’t be far behind.

Have a holy fear of the Lord in your heart and come in reverence to HIM. 

Please read:
Mass Etiquette

Please continue with:
Give Thanks!
Great Faith!
God's Ways
The Words of Eternal Life
Purgatory...
It's a wonderful LIFE!