“The time you spend with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the best time you will spend on earth. Each moment that you spend with Jesus will deepen your union with Him and make your soul everlastingly more glorious and beautiful in Heaven, and will help bring about everlasting peace on earth.” Saint Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa)

In the center of Mass is a beautiful moment of adoration of the Blessed Sacrament which occurs when the priest lifts the host and says: “Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.” Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament flows from the sacrifice of the Mass. As Mother Theresa Our Roman Catholic devotional tradition of spending time in Eucharistic Adoration in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament offers grace, blessing, and healing.

Sitting alone with Jesus present in the Eucharist can be intimidating. What do we do alone with the Eucharist? Can we read devotional material? Perhaps the life of a saint? Do we reflect on the Scriptures? Pray the rosary? Is it okay to sit or kneel? The good news is that all of these are appropriate ways to share time with Jesus. Spending time praising God, asking for help or forgiveness, looking for answers to the questions that weigh on our hearts are all conversation starters for some “me” time with God.

Some like to keep it simple. Reflecting on “Jesus, I love you. Have mercy on me, a sinner.” Or, pray as St. Francis of Assisi taught us to pray when we are in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament: “I adore you, Oh Christ, present here and in all the churches of the world, for by your holy cross You have redeemed the world.” The important thing to remember is that this is a conversation. We pour out our thoughts, hopes, love and concerns to Jesus. Then we take time to listen to what God has to say to us.

Adoration is an opportunity for relationship. Many note that “Jesus is their best friend.” Friendship takes time, enjoying being in each other’s company. Simply being in the presence of Jesus, looking at him, opens the opportunity for Jesus to look back at us.

Our parish joins together in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on the first Friday of each month. This month, it is Friday, March 1, 2019 in the Parish Chapel from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Tantum Ergo

Down in adoration falling,
Lo! the sacred Host we hail;
Lo! o’er ancient forms departing,
Newer rites of grace prevail;
Faith for all defects supplying,
Where the feeble senses fail.
To the everlasting Father,
And the Son who reigns on high,
With the Holy Spirit proceeding
Forth from each eternally,
Be salvation, honor, blessing,
Might and endless majesty. Amen.