In her book, Forming Intentional Disciples, author Sherry Weddell, who has a fascinating story of how she found the Catholic faith, refers to Eucharistic Adoration (the sacred Host placed on the Altar for a period of quiet prayer and reflection) in terms that a friend shared with her: “Spiritual Radiation Therapy.” What an interesting thought to ponder as today we resume our First Sunday of the Month Eucharistic Adoration.
Eucharistic Adoration has a long history in the Catholic Church. The documents of Vatican II refer to this sacrament as “the source and summit” of the Christian life. Christian spirituality is a two-way street: It leads us to the Eucharist as our starting point, and it brings us back home to the Eucharist in the midst of our daily journey. We have the privilege of receiving our Lord when we approach Him at Mass for Holy Communion. During Eucharistic Adoration, we place ourselves before Him, our heart speaking to His Heart and His Heart speaking to ours, during a time of quiet prayer and reflection.
All are invited to take advantage of this special time every first Sunday of the month (as well as during our weekly Friday evening Holy Hour). The Blessed Sacrament, available in such an intimate way in the monstrance on the Altar, is “Spiritual Radiation Therapy” because the soul is in “the direct presence of Jesus Christ, in the trust that HE will act if we leave the door open the merest crack (Forming Intentional Disciples, p. 164). All that Jesus asks of us is that we give Him our time as we kneel or sit in front of Him, and allow what He has to offer, during this time of “spiritual therapy.” In the richness of ALL that our Catholic faith offers us, and especially if we know that we could benefit with such time with our Lord, who would not want to take advantage of this encounter with our loving God?
Not exactly sure what to do in those moments of silence? Well, let’s enter into the “School of Silence” with Matthew Kelly’s “Prayer Process,” as explained and outlined in the book we distributed Christmas of 2020, I Heard God Laugh, p. 41 (there is also a wonderful Prayer of Surrender that could serve one well during this time with our Lord, on p. 82 of the same book). As always, lectio divina, the Rosary and other prayers, or just quiet meditation, are ways to spend such time with our Lord.
Please see the bulletin for details on what will take place at various times during the hours we have with Jesus present on the Altar. Even if for just a few moments, the Lord has something special in store for whoever approaches Him in trust and love.