Sixth Sunday of Easter
"As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love." (Jn 15:9-17)
Oh, My Sweet Jesus, I will remain in your Love. A brisk breeze swept by, and then I remembered, before opening the Church's double doors, an article that I had read about Eucharistic Adoration: "Leave all your fear about specifics at the door and simply approach Jesus with humility and reverence."
Oh, My Sweet Jesus, I will remain in your Love. I entered the Church, and there upon the altar was the golden monstrous, which was tightly secured and held the body, blood, soul, and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ. The cool air continued along with my footsteps to genuflect before sitting in a pew. All I could think of was, "My Lord and My God, My Lord and My God."
Oh, My Sweet Jesus, I will remain in your Love. I immediately fell to my knees in the sincere hope that Our Lord would hear my prayers and my humble cries; I prayed the "ACTS," Adoration (I adored God with all my love because I know he loves me). Contrition (Reparation: I immediately brought to mind my sins and repented of them). Thanksgiving (I thanked Our Lord Jesus Christ for everything and how they were). Supplication (I began my intercession praying for the salvation and sanctification of souls. I prayed for grace and my own conversion and needs. I prayed for those around me and the world).
Oh, My Sweet Jesus, I will remain in your Love. I sat quietly, staring at the altar and the body, blood, soul, and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ, lying there and exposed to all who were in commune with Him. My mind wandered to whether I would receive a call from my cousin. The call would confirm if the property owner would agree to a press release on the archaeological findings of 32 unmarked graves. Many of my ancestors were buried at that cemetery.
Oh, My Sweet Jesus, I will remain in your Love. As I left the Church quietly, the brisk, cool breeze followed me. When I got into my car to turn on my GPS, I noticed a phone message asking me to return a call. I returned the call while sitting in the Church parking lot. I was told that the property owner gave approval to the university to run the press release on the unmarked graves found, and the fieldwork was done at the abandoned Hanna Cemetery. All I could do was shout thank you, Lord Jesus!
Oh, My Sweet Jesus, I will remain in your Love. While still sitting in the Church parking lot, I called a restaurant to order take-home food. The woman who took my order was Hanna, the same name as my ancestor's abandoned cemetery.
Author: Dr. Terrie Gaskins-Bryant is the Director of Saint Teresa Community Outreach and Empowerment in Lake City, SC. She cultivates and preserves African-American history locally and is a candidate for receiving a Certificate in Black Catholic Spirituality from Loyola Marymount University in June 2024.