I am a wonderfully-made special child of God and an Alleluia person!

“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have no known.”  – Jeremiah 33:3

My soul had been thirsting for the longest time to be still and hear God’s voice. I had heard that still, small voice once, more than 20 years ago at a Sr Briege McKenna rally, and since then have been yearning to hear it again. But the constant distractions and noise externally and internally have been an insurmountable obstacle. “Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.”  – Hebrews 2:1

The Adoration Room has been my go-to place the last few years where I often sought solace and healing. However, it had been a challenge to be calm, still and collected. I finally made the decision to stop working nine months ago so I could concentrate on devoting myself to the Lord’s calling. But still the chatter in my mind persisted, and I found myself losing the battle. I knew that the temple of my body, especially my mind, needed to be cleansed but I did not know how. At the Watchman Retreat, the four days of silence and solitude gave me the chance to focus my thoughts, absorb spiritual food, and finally break and re-order the pattern of my life. “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” –  John 10:27

I’m trying practise what I learnt at the retreat about being pre-occupied with thoughts of God throughout the day. Our thoughts will pass, but not God’s Word. Every time I sin, it breaks God’s heart. So I need to be focused on glorifying the Lord in all my thoughts and actions throughout the day. “

Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”           – Luke 11:28

Sometimes I read scripture before the Blessed Sacrament, but I mostly remain silent waiting upon the Lord. I nearly always come away feeling a deep sense of peace. I realise that even though there are times when I do not hear anything during my time of adoration, the answers will come later. When I was besieged by an illness, I chose to spend time in His presence, allowing His healing touch to heal me.

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”  – Romans 10:17 I learnt that the best time to offer our requests was during the Doxology. After receiving Jesus in Holy Communion, I thank Him for residing in me. I am in awe of the majesty of our Lord and humbled by the magnitude of His all-embracing love for me. I want to spend more time with Him in the Blessed Sacrament and intercede for others.

“The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,”                 – Romans 8:16

At the retreat, I learnt that angels will help us wait upon Him. I will ask them to intercede for me. I have felt drawn to join the cenacle with Mary in the Upper Room to pray for the 2nd Pentecost, and also to be like Mary (Martha’s sister), just sitting at His feet. With angels and holy souls present wherever the Blessed Sacrament is, I feel I am part of a larger holy community.

By Mary Pierre