I am the gate.
John 10:9
As work on the Adoration Chapel continues, you may notice the absence of two “privacy walls” on either side of the church. One parishioner referred to them as “ears”. They kind of did look like ears.
The one on the parking lot side had to be removed in order to provide a safe, easily visible entrance to the future Adoration Chapel. I had thought that this corner of the church might look awkward without the wall. In fact, it seems to look a little better. There is a clear sight line from nearly the entire parish property to the Adoration Chapel door, so an adorer coming in the wee hours of the night should feel more safe and secure to come and spend time in the presence of the Lord.
The “ear” on the street side of the church had to come down for other reasons. For one, it had cut off water supply to the church a couple years back, and I had something against the wall for that reason alone. Furthermore, it was clearly continuing to settle, pull away from the building, and crack. So I was concerned that it could jeopardize the repairs we made to the supply pipes. Happily, that corner of the church also looks a little better and more open.
Providing a safe and secure point of entrance to the Adoration Chapel seems a fitting reflection as we hear Jesus describe himself as “the Gate”.
“I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” -John 10:7-10
It is our sincere hope that the Adoration Chapel will provide ample opportunities for us to “come in and go out” from the presence of our Eucharistic Lord. In His presence, we find strength, guidance, rest from our labors, and a deeper communion with Jesus. The mysteries of His life shape the mysteries of our lives, and He shares with us the abundant life of divine grace – the perfect communion of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit truly abiding in us.
As the physical construction of the Adoration Chapel progresses, we will also be working to coordinate a schedule of committed adorers. It is foreseen that the Chapel will be open to the public during certain daytime hours, and will be accessible to registered adorers outside those hours. The details of the schedule and the security and access system are being worked out, but I encourage you to consider if the Lord is inviting you to “come in” and spend time with Him in Eucharistic adoration.
Currently, we have Adoration each Wednesday evening from 5 to 9 pm in the Church. If you have not yet had the opportunity to spend time with the Lord, I encourage you to give it a try on a Wednesday evening. If you don’t know what you would do, you can find many helpful resources and suggestions online – just search for “How to Make a Holy Hour.” But you don’t need anything other than your presence and your heart. Jesus loves to receive us, and to have us simply spend time with Him. We can pour out our hearts to Him, and he gives His heart to us. Sometimes in words, thoughts, images or feelings we might experience. Sometimes in the simple silence of His presence.
Come to Him, and receive his gift of abundant life.
-Fr. Tom
