By Sr. Teresa Joseph fma.
Title of the Book: An Hour with Jesus
Publisher: Kristu Jyoti Publications
Year: 2023
Pages: 187
ISBN: 978-93-93227-70-6
Price Rs.220/-
“The greatest love story of all time is contained in a tiny white Host,” opines Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. How many hours of prayer, reflection and contemplation are required to get a glimpse of this greatest love story? Are we in need of resources to undertake this journey of love?
An Hour with Jesus is one of the latest books by Sr. Alice Chacko fma.
St. John Paul II has expressed eloquently on the Blessed Sacrament: “I encourage Christians regularly to visit Christ present in the Blessed Sacrament, for we are all called to abide in the presence of God.” In order to learn the art of abiding in the presence of God, we need to get into the habit of being present to the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. We can make this happen in various ways: just sitting and gazing at the Blessed Sacrament, allowing the Word of God to speak to us, letting a friend of ours to lead us closer to the Lord, listening to audio visuals that will introduce us gracefully into the process or by simply being what we are and being present to the Lord. How fitting it is to evoke the words of Blessed Carlo Acutis: “The Eucharist is the highway to heaven.”
Have you ever thought that a simple book can help you to taste the beauty of being with the Lord? Yes, of course. Sr. Alice Chacko, in her book: An Hour with Jesus offers anyone who wishes to spend time before the Blessed Sacrament, 30 themes ranging from Bless me with Wisdom to How do I resemble Mother Mary?; our authoress gives indications to spend time before the Blessed Sacrament, examine oneself on his/her call, what it means to be disciples of Jesus. This is enhanced with intercessory and personal prayers. The sentiments of praise, worship and gratitude permeates the entire hour of prayer. The theme considered is expected to lead the worshiper to examine his /her self, to see what it means to me to be the salt of the earth; to be a prophet today.
Themes which people normally don’t consider as important, like Am I Saul or Paul?, Am I a Wall or a Bridge?, Original Freshness, On the Road to Emmaus/Holiness will surprise the one who is willing to loose time before the Lord. You will find tips on how to use this book too. What motivated Sr. Alice Chacko to write An Hour with Jesus is the fact that few people truly take time out for personal introspection. St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta has an apt piece of wisdom to share with us: “When the Sisters are exhausted, up to their eyes in work; when all seems to go awry, they spend an hour in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. This practice has never failed to bear fruit: they experience peace and strength.”
As we enter into a deeper intimacy with Jesus guided by Sr. Alice Chacko’s book An Hour with Jesus, we turn to St. John Paul II to learn how to adore the most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist: “United with the angels and saints of the heavenly Church, let us adore the most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist. Prostrate, we adore this great mystery that contains God’s new and definitive covenant with humankind in Christ.” Amazingly the same Pope has affirmed that: “From the Eucharist comes strength to live the Christian life and zeal to share that life with others.” May it be so for each one of us for today and for the days to come. Amen.