This Lent, Try Eucharistic Adoration
“If we are to experience the Eucharist as the source and summit of all Christian life, then we must celebrate it with faith, receive it with reverence, and allow it to transform our minds and hearts through the prayer of adoration.”
– St. John Paul II
I asked Father Scott (Director of Vocations for the Archdiocese of Omaha) if he could say one thing about adoration, what would it be? He told me that after Jesus is exposed in the monstrance, He is fully showing Himself to us. In return, He wants us to expose and show ourselves back to Him. Jesus does not want us to hold anything back. He already knows what is going on in your life because He is all-knowing. So even though He already knows what is going on, He still wants you to come to Him and pour your heart out to Him.
What do I do during adoration?
A lot of people think “give one hour just to God, how do you do that!?” The answer is, you already do it during Mass on Sunday, except the Mass has elements, which attracts us. Adoration can too, but it is up to you to structure your time with Jesus and make it a time of active participation. You just need to find what you like to do in silence with Jesus.
Here are a few tips:
Come to adoration with an open heart. You might be seeking answers for something specific. God has a plan and if you go to pray and demand that he tell you the answer, that will not work. Pray for patience and ask God to show you in many ways - “give me signs, tell me, show me” - and he will listen. You might not hear what you are wanting to hear that instant, but rest assured he has a plan.
Be quiet. Listen and rest in the Lord’s presence. “We must understand that in order ‘to do’, we must first learn ‘to be’, that is to say, in the sweet company of Jesus in Adoration.” - Saint John Paul II
You can take distractions and rather than being discouraged by or focused on them, use them to draw yourself into conversation with God. As you sit in silence and start thinking about random things, bring God into the conversation and pray about those things. Thinking about the snow? Ask God to protect those who do not have a home to stay warm.
Pray the rosary, which usually takes 15-20 minutes.
Journal, read the Bible, or read a book about adoration or other spiritual reading.
Tell Jesus what is bothering you. Ask him for guidance and peace with any decisions you need to make.
Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet, specifically during a 3PM holy hour if able.
Read scripture. After reading a few verses, dive deeper into the scripture by utilizing Lectio Divina.
Find inspiration for reflection in the words of the saints, who have written about adoration:
“If, in the presence of this mystery, reason experiences its limits, the heart, enlightened by the grace of the Holy Spirit, clearly sees the response that is demanded, and bows low in adoration and unbounded love.” - Pope St. John Paul II
“We can but silently adore the Infinite Love which encompasses us on every side.” - St. John Henry Newman
“He remains among us until the end of the world.” – St. Maximilian Kolbe
Jesus in the garden said, “Will you not spend one hour with me?”
I invite you to try your hardest to spend an hour each day with the Lord. Prayer is the ultimate gift God has given us to grow closer to him. What better way to start this new habit than during our 40 Hours Devotion starting Ash Wednesday night.