What is Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament?
As
Catholics, we believe that once the bread and wine are consecrated, “Christ
himself, living and glorious, is present in a true, real, and substantial
manner: his Body and his Blood, with his soul and his divinity (cf. Council of
Trent: DS 1640; 1651).[1]
Therefore, when “Christ himself is present in the sacrament of the altar, he is
to be honored with the worship of adoration.” [2]
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is an opportunity to have an intimate time
with God. What can we do during Eucharist Adoration? We can pray our favorite
prayers, read the Bible, or simply remain in silence accompanying God, as if we
were with one of our dearest friends.
In
those moments of closeness with God, we might feel called to thank Him for the
countless blessings He bestows upon us. Maybe we feel grateful for our good
relationships with members of our family, relatives and/or friends; work
success; peace and joy in our hearts; health; prosperity; love for life, and so
on. Giving thanks to God helps us to realize how blessed we are and that indeed,
God is with us …
Another
way of spending time before the Blessed Sacrament is to bring to God our personal
and other people’s petitions. It is a consolation to remember what Jesus told
us, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the
door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks
finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened” (Mt. 7, 7-8). When
we are before Him and embracing His peace, it is easier to think about others, the
sick, the poor, the vulnerable, the lonely, the sad, etc. Our heartfelt prayers
for those who are in most need of God’s mercy are the kind of prayers that
start changing people’s lives, and therefore the world. Jesus invites us to be compassionate
and to help others; being mindful that every time we do so, we are doing
directly for Him, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of
these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Mt. 25, 40).
Before
the presence of God, we could also open our hearts and share with Him our most
intimate secrets or experiences that we wouldn’t share with anybody else. In
this moment of Adoration it is only you and the Lord in a loving atmosphere.
Anything you share with Him will remain in Him, and God will never let you go
with empty hands. He will most likely heal you, teach you, or grant you the
peace you have being longing for … Always remember that beyond all the
conceptions and understanding we have about God, He is most of all a loving,
merciful, forgiving and always present God …
(Text & photos contributed by Daniela Picazo)
Join us on Tuesdays for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
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