Seeking, Soaking, and Shining

I like to think that I seek Jesus first. The truth is, sometimes I do – and sometimes I don’t. I was inspired by something a priest said during a homily while I was attending a Mass & adoration vigil for the feast days of the Sacred Heart & Immaculate Heart. It was a vigil of reparation to the hearts of Jesus and Mary for all the sins that wound them – including our own and for the ingratitude and lack of love from mankind. The pastor addressed the issue of how many times that we desire other activities or leisure times over spending time with Jesus. He then said something about this in a particular way that stuck with me: about making personal reparation ‘for the times that I’ve preferred the television to the tabernacle.’ (Mic. Drop.) That could have been his whole homily. Case. And. Point.

We live for Jesus, we worship Him, we pray, we go to Mass, we do good for others. But how many times do we not seek Jesus first? Just 10 more minutes on Facebook, just one more episode, just a little more Xbox… how much time do we spend with Jesus versus the time we spend on other things that in the grand scheme of life, merit nothing toward our eternal salvation? And, in fact, can detract from it.

Now, these things aren’t all bad, and God knows and understands that sometimes these are our outlets! I know a little bit of down time, and a movie or a few episodes of a favorite TV series helps me to unwind after a hectic day. But, I can easily do that instead of taking time with Jesus. It’s not that we can’t ever watch TV again, but are we taking 10 or 20 or 30 minutes to pray first? Take those moments and soak up some Son! Read a few verses of Scripture, grab that devotional book and peruse through it, grab a journal and pen and write out your thoughts and prayers to the Lord. Sit and talk to him. Sometimes, I just sit in the middle of my bed, or the middle of the couch, and I just start talking – out loud – as if Jesus were just sitting there in the room with me. And I just talk. And eventually I slow down, and then just pause. And listen. Those are some of my most fruitful times of prayer, some of the times were I really can tune into Jesus’ presence and His attentiveness to me.

Jesus, help me to seek You first – in all the things, in all the chaos, in the joys, in the trials, in the decisions, in the time I have each day. Help the fast-paced, media-driven things of this world lose a bit of their luster, so that I see Your splendor, and spend more time soaking up Your shine. Amen.

Seek, Soak, Shine - repeat!