Eucharistic Adoration
In today’s Gospel passage from John 15 Jesus tells us, “As I have loved you so also should you love one another.” It sounds good but how do we put that into practice? I offer one way that can help us do that.
It has to do with something we’ve done most every Thursday in the historic church since 1997. I’m talking about Eucharistic Adoration. My dad got it it started in his parish, so I thought I’d get it started at St. Victoria. It’s what I like to think of as our Thursday Prayer Vigil for the world.
So, what exactly is Eucharistic Adoration? It’s a centuries-old spiritual practice in which the Blessed Sacrament is placed on the altar in a sacred vessel called the monstrance. Time before the Blessed Sacrament offers us a chance to unplug from the busyness of the day. The invitation is to sit still, to take in a deep breath, and then to check in with Jesus. Someone once put it this way, “Breathing in Jesus helps me catch up with my soul.”
Keep in mind, time in Eucharistic Adoration is not so much about words as it is about presence. I like St. John Vianney’s description of Eucharistic Adoration. “I gaze at Jesus and Jesus gazes at me.”
And the point of spending time in Eucharistic Adoration? We take in the love of Jesus so we can go out and be the love of Jesus to others. Recognizing Christ’s real presence in the Eucharistic Adoration we are now called to go out and recognize Christ really present in all we encounter, especially in the least of our brothers and sisters. And yes, even in those who annoy you.
So, if I get into the habit of sitting in quiet before the Blessed Sacrament with a heart open to God what can I expect?” I like to think of it this way. You marinate a steak, and it tenderizes the meat. In prayer you marinate in God’s love, and it tenderizes your heart.
And what has the habit of sitting in quiet prayer done to me personally? I’ve got a long way to go but I do notice that it has helped curb my tendency to want to control life instead of letting God be in charge. It’s when I let go of that need to control life that I’m better able to accept life for what it is.
Now if you’ve never done Eucharistic Adoration before and you’re driving by the church on a Thursday why not stop in tor a visit, even if it’s just for a few minutes. The historic church is open Thursdays from 800 am to 800pm.
And if you’re ready to take the next step sign up for a half-hour time slot and then commit to showing up the same time each week. Even better, get a friend to sign up with you. That way if one of you can’t make it the other one can cover. Think of it as a twelve-hour spiritual team relay. You carry the baton for your time slot and then pass it on to the person after you. If you’re interested in signing up contact John Abel.
So, Jesus tells us, “As I have loved you so also should you love one another.” A good place to be schooled in that love is the spiritual practice of Eucharistic Adoration. It’s every Thursday here in the historic church. Why not stop in and give it a try.
