The Centennial Challenge
What is it?
As St. Joseph parish celebrates one hundred years of Catholic community in Salem, NH, we challenge all members of the parish to deepen their relationship with God. There are 8760 hours in the next year. Between now and Easter, 2011, spend 100 of those hours with your Creator, your Lord, your Savior.
Why would I do that?
The First Commandment says: "I, the Lord, am your God... You shall not have other gods besides me." (Deut 5:6-7) We may assume that we never sin against the first commandment because we're not manufacturing pagan idols, but in fact we fail to observe this commandment whenever we place anything ahead of God in our priorities – and of course most of us do that all the time.
"Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone! Therefore you shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength." (Deut 6:4-5)
It is sometimes said that the opposite of love is not hate, but indifference. We don't love someone that we ignore, and many of us tend to ignore God a lot of the time.
In Luke's Gospel, Jesus says to Martha, "You are anxious and upset over many things; one thing only is required." (Lk 10:41-42) That one thing is to be present to Jesus.
Here are some very practical suggestions for spending "quality time" with God:
Actively participate in (don’t merely attend) Sunday Mass.
The same at daily Mass.
Pray often in whatever way suits you: Adore God. Acknowledge your sins, apologize and ask forgiveness. Thank God for your blessings; be specific. Tell him what's bothering you; let him know your needs and the needs of your family and neighbors.
Sing praise to God at the Evening of Praise on April 17, 2010 in the church
Lectio Divina (Praying with Scripture)
Daily Prayer of the Church (Liturgy of the Hours)
Say the Rosary or other prayers
Participate in Eucharistic Adoration (we have this twice each month: the first Friday from noon to 5pm in the church and the third Friday from 6pm to noon Saturday in St. Julie Hall).
The Sacrament of Reconciliation
Read the Bible (best to start with the New Testament).
Participate in the parish weekly Bible discussion group at 8:00 on Saturday mornings in the parish Family Room.
Purchase some of the CDs at the entrances of the church and listen to them in the car.
Borrow and read some of the inspirational books from the parish library in the Family Room.
Participate in God-centered events sponsored by your parish. During Advent we have Lessons and Carols. During Lent there is the annual mission and Lent in Story and Song. The Chaplet of Divine Mercy is sung in the church at 3pm the Sunday after Easter.
Is anyone keeping score?
This is between you and God. 100 hours is a suggestion that would be a challenge for many people, but not for some. Set your own goal, but make it a stretch and keep track of your progress. Like St. Paul said, "My entire attention is on the finish line as I run toward the prize to which God calls me -- life on high in Christ Jesus." (Phil 3:14)
To adore God is to acknowledge him as God, as the Creator and Savior, the Lord and Master of everything that exists, as infinite and merciful Love... To adore God is to acknowledge, in absolute respect and submission, the “nothingness of the creature’, who would not exist but for God. To adore God is to praise and exalt him and to humble oneself, as Mary did in the Magnificat, confessing with gratitude that he has done great things and holy is his name. The worship of the one God sets man free from turning in on himself, from the slavery of sin and the idolatry of the world. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2096-2097 )
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