Finding Comfort in Jesus

Bonnie Drury believes that our faith gives us comfort in many ways, especially in Eucharistic Adoration. We can always find comfort in Jesus. 

Word on Fire Catholic Ministries sent an email recently, asking Catholics to offer one Holy Hour to promote the Eucharistic Revival in the Church. Their goal was 10,000 Holy Hours. 

I signed up and decided to go the next day. Usually, when I go to Adoration, there’s only one or two other cars at church. On this day, the parking lot was full. I was puzzled but continued on inside. A man opened the door for me and said, “There’s a funeral going on.” 

I paused, remembering the recent call for prayer for an ill parishioner. “Is this for Maureen?” He nodded, and I went on to the chapel and bowed before Our Lord. 

Fellow Parishioners Mourn 

Memories flooded over me as I thought of the tiny, frail couple who always sat in the front row because they couldn’t walk to Communion. They were so gentle with one another. Maureen would pat down her husband’s hair as he found the next song in the hymnal. They both turned around with big smiles during the Sign of Peace. When they stopped coming to Mass, I asked the woman who brought the Eucharist to them, “How are Maureen and Gerry?” 

She shook her head. “They moved into assisted living together. Pray for a miracle. Maureen isn’t doing well.” 

Now, Maureen was gone. Maybe she didn’t receive the miracle of healing here on earth, but she was with her Savior, never to feel pain again. 

Acknowledging and honoring the Real Presence in the Chapel, I prayed for both Maureen and Gerry. As I sat there, gazing at Jesus, I could hear parts of the funeral. Our music director, Jon, sang the Lord’s Prayer in his angelic voice. It was so beautiful; I couldn’t swallow past the tightness in my throat. 

Our Faith is a Treasure Trove 

When Father spoke, it was obvious he knew the couple well. I hoped that his words comforted Gerry in his crushing grief, then realized that real comfort comes from the familiarity of the Mass. Our faith goes back nearly 2,000 years and stands solid behind us on every occasion. I felt privileged to be there in the Chapel, visiting with Jesus, while celebrating the life of a sister in Christ. It was a beautiful way to attend a funeral. 

Jesus is where all comfort lies, along with the Church He founded. He didn’t leave us alone to battle Satan or to grieve for the loss of a loved one. Our God hears the faintest whisper of our hearts, as rabbi Kurt Schneider wrote, if we just turn toward Him. Jesus and His Church are always ready to enfold us in loving arms as we go through this journey called life. We’re given the fullness of faith in the Catholic Church. 

When Jon sang the last song, “Ave Maria,” I thanked God for His Church. I thanked Him for His love, mercy, and forgiveness, and prayed that He would ease Gerry’s grief. In the not-too-distant future, he will meet his beloved in heaven, and they will rejoice together.  

Adoration … a time of contemplation, wonder, discovery, and the feeling of being surrounded by love. Whenever I visit Jesus in the Chapel, I always receive an answer to a question or insight into one of the mysteries of faith, and inner peace. There was such a powerful connection that day between life and death, and the glory beyond. I knew that all would be well because God is in charge. 

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Copyright 2024 Bonnie Drury
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