Today I was at a monthly priest prayer gathering that I’ve been attending since I was ordained.  Every month, a small group of priests gather together and we pray a holy hour, have the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and then have some snacks and catch up after.  It’s a great gathering that I look forward to every month and today, as I sat in front of the Blessed Sacrament, I thought to myself: “man, I really need you today.”

There are many reasons why I love Eucharistic Adoration and I wanted to share some of those reasons here.  First and foremost, what I love the most about adoration is the focus and direct relationship with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.  When sitting in front of our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament its easy to forget just that…we are sitting in front of our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.  That’s Jesus we are sitting with and worshiping.  How cool is that?!  Our God is a personal God who wants to literally enter our lives and walk with us.  He isn’t a God who stays way out in the heavens and looks down on us; rather, he BECAME ONE OF US, Jesus walked our walk, talked our talk, died our death and rose from the dead!  Not only that, he continues to come back to us in each other and in the Eucharist.

The second thing I love about Eucharistic Adoration is the quiet.  I understand some parishes offer praise and worship music during adoration, which I also like; however, I love sitting in the quiet and being able to listen to Jesus as I sit in front of him in the Blessed Sacrament.  Do I hear an actual voice speak to me every time?  No.  But I always feel God’s peace and presence.  That is a great feeling!

Finally, I love that the Eucharist brings people together.  Whenever the Blessed Sacrament is exposed, there are always multiple people present (at least two).  We call it “communion” for a reason.  Jesus, and the Eucharist since Jesus IS the Eucharist, is not a man who divides; rather, Jesus brings together.  When we receive the Eucharist together at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass we all are strengthened in our corporate identity as the Body of Christ.  We literally become who we receive.  As we sit before the Blessed Sacrament, we are also brought together and pray as the Body of Christ.  

Eucharistic Adoration is a great gift to the western church and a devotion I highly recommend everyone at least try.  Even if you parish doesn’t have a formal time of Adoration with the Eucharist exposed, you can receive the same graces sitting before our Lord reserved in the tabernacle.  Go to your parish and pray before our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.  The most simplest way to start is by getting to church 15 min before (or staying after) Mass and praying before the tabernacle.  Give it a try and be ready to receive God’s grace.