Lilly jumped into her Grandma's car and headed for the church. As they pulled into the parking lot, Lilly reached into her pocket. "Oh no, I think my rosary fell out of my pocket. It's not here," confessed Lilly.
"Would you like to use mine?" Grandma offered.
"What are you going to use then?" Lilly wondered.
"Oh, I don't always pray the Rosary before the Blessed Sacrament. Sometimes, I talk to Jesus from my heart; sometimes, I sit in His Presence and try to listen. I like just being near to Him."
"Really? I always thought you had to say a specific prayer. Hmm, maybe I'll talk to Him from my heart today," Lilly replied as she and Grandma walked into the small chapel. Lilly sat down and looked around. She was a little surprised there weren't more people there. Lilly turned her focus to the monstrance as she allowed her heart to take over. Then she closed her eyes and became conscious of each breath she took. As she breathed in, she silently prayed, "Jesus, I believe you are here with me."
After a few minutes, Lilly opened her eyes and noticed two pictures behind the altar. One picture was the image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and the other was Mary holding Jesus in her arms. Lilly remembered her Grandma's words from yesterday. "Ask Mary what she did to prepare for the coming of Jesus."
For a few minutes, Lilly just wondered. "Mary, did you spend much time just wondering what it would be like to hold God in your arms? Could you feel Baby Jesus' heart beating inside you? What would it be like to be that close to God? What would it be like to know God depended on you to bring Jesus to the world?"
Lilly closed her eyes and wondered for a while. Interiorly, she felt her questions being redirected toward herself. "What does it feel like to be so close to Me, Lilly? Do you not feel me?"
"Of course I do. I just..." Lilly didn't finish her sentence.
"You just what?" the Voice questioned.
"How come it's so easy for me to forget you are always with me?"
"That's a good question. I never leave you, you know." the Voice answered.
"If you aren't the one who leaves, then it's because I leave. A tear slid down Lilly's cheek. "Why is it so easy for me to forget about you? " Lilly sat with her own question for a few minutes, feeling uncomfortable and foolish. "I don't have any good answers for that one. I'm sorry. I guess it's good that you asked Mary to bring you into the world, not me," Lilly said, staring straight at the monstrance.
"Lilly, Mary's role was very different, but I have asked you to bring me into the world. Bring me into your world and the people you encounter every day. Speak my words. Be my Voice."
As Lilly brought her folded hand close to her face, she felt the gloss of her new lipstick touch her hands. She looked at the glossy sheen on her hand. Lilly remembered the promise she had made to her Grandma. "Ok Jesus, my lips are yours," Lilly promised as a small smile spread.
(To be continued...)
-Susan
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