Shadow and Glory

Monstrance blessed by Pope Saint John Paul II

March 2024

Praise God!  Praise Him, who came down to us in the form of a babe.  Praise Him, who suffered and died for us on the cross.  Praise Him, who rose from the dead.  Praise Him, who ascended into heaven and reigns as King of all kings!

Thank You, Lord, for all that You have given, allowed, and taken away!  Thank You for all Thy benefits.  Thank You, Lord, for all the many blessings You have bestowed on us.  Thank You, Lord, for all the little confirmations and consolations You set before us.  

Forgive us, Lord, for the many times we are unforgiving and selfish.  Forgive us for forgetting all that You have done for us.  Forgive us, Lord, for failing to seek You and Your Kingdom.  Forgive us, Lord, for the many times we have placed ourselves as God, thinking that our plans and our wants and desires are above Your plans for us.  

I was so blessed recently to sit in Adoration with a few very special women.  We met there to renew our Consecration to Jesus through Mary.   We had journeyed through the preparation together and desired to mark the consecration day with a special act of love to our Lord.  

It “just so happened” that a monstrance blessed by Pope Saint John Paul II would be used in Adoration that special day.  What a blessing to have this special saint to be a part of our renewal!  The above picture does not do the monstrance or our time in front of it justice.  What a fruitful and holy hour we all had! 

While I was sitting there, my eyes were noticing that due to the reflection of light on the precious metal, I could not make out clearly the details of the monstrance.  It was as if the sparkle and shine was overwhelming my senses, so I looked behind the monstrance to the shadow.  I could more clearly distinguish many of the details that were “lost” in the shine and sparkle when I focused on the shadow. 

The story of when Moses spoke to God flooded my mind, and I remembered that the people were overwhelmed by God’s glory.  I then recalled that Psalm 91 mentions that we should “abide in the shadow of the Almighty…”  I love how God makes His Presence known in so many different ways even when I am sitting in front of His Body Blood Soul and Divinity. 

Each morning, I read the daily readings, and to my surprise, today’s first reading from Isaiah 49:1-6 reads (emphasis added): “...from my mother’s womb he gave me my name.  He made of me a sharp-edged sword and concealed me in the shadow of his arm.  He made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me. You are my servant, he said to me, Israel, through whom I show my glory.”   

I should not be surprised, yet I am because I am forgetful and short-sighted.  God’s truths are constantly being revealed to us.  He is God and can use anything to make them real to us, but how appropriate that He would use the time we sit in His presence to do so. 

Has God revealed or made real a truth to you lately?  Be sure you share what He confirms and how He consoles you, for you never know who needs to hear it.