This morning’s Gospel John 3: 14-21 has that infamous quote that we’ve been seeing at every major televised event since the 1970’s …… John 3: 16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.”
While I’ve never been one to do that (I’d have to go to a sports event first, and they don’t look kindly on these signs at broadway shows and classical concerts) God and I have a longstanding joke, or affinity around this.
For many years now, at 3:16 AM or PM, I usually get some little jolt calling me to prayer. It might be waking in the night and needing to walk to the little room down the hall, or my cat waking up, and looking at the clock and seeing 3:16.
Similarly I may be driving or in a meeting, or any number of things, and all the sudden I glance at the clock, and there it is again, that 3: 16. Usually I smile and muse, and at least acknowledge God, or take a bit longer for prayer.
On stressful days, or in the midst of a confrontation, I’ve seen those numbers and realized “You are with me…. you have it all in control.” On the days I miss it, and glance down at 3:17 or 3:19, I feel like I have missed an important part of my day.
Of course I am not the only one who holds a claim to these times. The ancient monks prayed seven times a day. Perhaps this is my way of keeping one of the Little Hours. Those with a special devotion to Faustina often pray the 3:00 prayer.
The point is, we can pray anywhere, any time…. and don’t have to search to hard for inspiration. God is with us and ever so close!
