According to St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta, “When you look at the crucifix, you understand how much Jesus loved you then. When you look at the Sacred Host, you understand how much Jesus loves you now.” The Eucharist is the Sacrament of the Real Presence of Jesus Christ. His body, blood, soul, and divinity under the appearance of a simple host. Sitting in Eucharistic adoration lets you draw closer to the Mystery of the Eucharist. How easy it is for us to dismiss this reality. But by visiting a local church, we are making a sacrifice. A sacrifice of time. The same sacrifice we make on Sunday.
What is Eucharistic Adoration? Eucharistic Adoration is the act of worshiping God, as He is present in the consecrated Eucharist. Since the Last Supper, when Jesus broke the bread and distributed the wine, saying, “This is my Body” and “This is my Blood,” Catholics have believed that the bread and wine are no longer merely baked wheat and fermented grape juice, but the actual living presence of the Second Person of the Trinity.
At the moment of Consecration during the Mass, the “gifts” of bread and wine are transformed (transubstantiated) into the actual Body and Blood of Christ, at the Altar. This means that they are not only spiritually transformed, but rather are actually (substantially) transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ. The elements retain the appearance of bread and wine but are indeed the actual Body and Blood of Christ. This is what is meant by Real Presence – the actual physical presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.
The Eucharist is: Jesus truly present – Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity.
Spending time before the Blessed Sacrament, in prayer and devotion, is exactly the same as spending time before the living God. Adoration occurs whenever someone kneels in front of a tabernacle, bows before receiving the Blessed Sacrament at Mass, or in a more focused way, when the Blessed Sacrament is placed in the monstrance (vessel used to display the consecrated Eucharistic Host) on the Altar for Adoration.
A Holy Hour – The image of an hour with Jesus has been part of Catholic Tradition since the very beginning. Jesus, in the Garden of Gethsemane, mournfully asked His disciples, “Could you not watch with me one hour? (Matthew 26:40).
A Holy Hour gives us the opportunity to honor Our Lord’s request and place ourselves before Him. We join our own prayers, works, joys and sufferings with His and “by the mercies of God, present (our) bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is (our) spiritual worship. (Romans 12:1).
At its most basic, a perfectly good Holy Hour can be made simply by sitting in the presence of God. Place yourself in front of the tabernacle or monstrance and just be (Psalm 46:10). Quietly allow the silence – just you and Jesus sitting in each other’s presence. Some Catholics have jokingly described this simple exercise as “spiritual radiation therapy,” because being in the presence of Christ, with a heart open to His love, can change and heal you.
You may find, however, that simply trying to be silent is much harder than it may initially seem. A great many voices inside us try to fill the silence. Talk to Jesus about them. Are they voices that need to be listened to or voices that need to hush for now, while you listen to Jesus? As this process goes on, you will discover the truth of something Pope John Paul II pointed out – Jesus doesn’t simply reveal the Father to us – He reveals us to ourselves!
The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Catholic faith (CCC 1324). Jesus is truly the Bread of Life. Like the Apostles, Mary Magdalene, the Blessed Virgin Mary, Joseph, and other New Testament figures, we too can see Jesus on a consistent basis.
Let us be generous with our time in going to meet Jesus in adoration and let us be ready to make reparation for the great faults and crimes of the world. May our adoration never cease.
During Eucharistic Adoration, we watch and wait, we remain silent in His Presence and open ourselves to His Graces which flow from the Eucharist. By worshiping the Eucharistic Jesus, we become what God wants us to be. Like a magnet, The Lord draws us to Himself and gently transforms us.
In its fullest essence – Eucharistic Adoration is God and Man reaching out for each other, at the same time.
If Jesus were actually visible in church, everyone would run to welcome him, but he remains hidden in the Sacred Host under the appearance of bread, because he is calling us to faith, that we many come to him in humility.
“The Blessed Sacrament is the ‘Living Heart’ of each of our churches and it is our very sweet duty to honor and adore the Blessed Host.
With transforming mercy, Jesus makes our heart one with his.
He proposes his own example to those who come to him, that all may learn to be like himself, gentle and humble of heart, and to seek not their own interest but those of God.
If the Pope himself would give you a special invitation to visit him in the Vatican (which would be amazing), this honor would be nothing in comparison to the honor and dignity that Jesus himself bestows upon you with the invitation of spending one hour with him in the Blessed Sacrament.
Biblical Reasons for wanting to spend a Holy Hour with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament:
When you look upon the Sacred Host, you look upon Jesus, the Son of God.
“Indeed, this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks upon the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life. Him I will raise up on the last day.” (John 6:40)
Each moment that you spend in His Eucharistic Presence will increase his divine life within you and deepen your personal relationship and friendship with him.
“I have come that you may have life and have it more abundantly.” “I am the vine, and you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him shall bear much fruit because without me, you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)
Each hour you spend with Jesus will deepen his divine peace in your heart.
“Come to me all of you who are weary and find life burdensome and I will refresh you…” “Cast all of your anxieties upon the one who cares for you…” “My Peace is My Gift to you.” (Matthew 11:28; Pt 5:7; John 14:17)
Jesus will give you all the graces you need to be happy!
“The Lamb on the throne will shepherd them. He will lead them to the springs of life-giving water.” (Rev 7:17)
Jesus is infinitely deserving of our unceasing thanksgiving and adoration for all he has done for our salvation.
“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive honor, glory and praise.” (Rev. 5:12)
For peace in our country!
“When my people humble themselves and seek my presence … I will revive their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)
Each hour you spend with Jesus on earth will leave your soul everlastingly more beautiful and glorious in heaven!
“They who humble themselves shall be exalted….” “All of us, gazing on the Lord’s glory with unveiled faces, are being transformed from glory to glory into his very image.” (Luke 18:14; 2 Corinthians 3:18)
Jesus will bless you, your family and the whole world for this hour of faith you spend with Him in the Blessed Sacrament.
“Blessed are they who do not see and yet believe…” “Faith can move mountains…” ” What is needed is trust… ” “Behold I come to make all things new.” (John 20:29; Mk 11:23; Mk 5:36; Rev 21:5)
Each moment you spend with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament brings joy, pleasure, and delight to his Sacred Heart!
“My joy, my pleasure, my delight is to be with you.” (Proverbs 8:31)
It is not always about what He can do for us, but what we can do for Him!
