Читать книгу The Handy Little Guide to Adoration - Michelle Jones Schroeder - Страница 6

Read This First

Let me start by telling you what I’m not. I’m not a religious scholar. I’m not a nun. I’m not a super-holy, close-to-perfection Catholic.

I am a working mom with two kids and a husband, who does her best and fails often. I am a Catholic absolutely in love with Eucharistic adoration. It’s there I get to experience a direct, personal encounter with the living Christ.

I started going to the adoration chapel at my church during a very stressful time when I needed a quiet place to escape life for a bit and to be with the Lord. I don’t know why I chose that particular day to go to the chapel; I had walked by it a thousand times and never entered before. But when I finally did, it created in me a desire to return.

The best description about that desire is it feels like I’m face to face with Jesus, which, of course, I am, because he is present in the Eucharist. But it’s not that I KNOW he is there, it’s that I FEEL he is there. His presence brings me a feeling of peace that I can’t get anywhere else.

But what are we supposed to be doing in there?

As Catholics, we’re comfortable knowing what to do at Mass. We respond, we pray, we receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist. We’re also good at confession; we know the words and the procedure.

While adoration isn’t a separate sacrament, it is an extension of our experience with the Sacrament of the Eucharist. During Mass, we are in the presence of the living God, and hopefully we are fully aware of that fact as we participate in the celebration. Mass is celebrated with a community, which, let’s face it, at times can be distracting — I’ve seen people faint, the power go out, the microphone fall off the celebrant’s robe. Those of us who attend church with our kids can tell stories of moments our focus is not exactly where it should be. I’ll never forget when my son was eight years old and threw up right in the middle of Christmas Eve Mass!

Adoration doesn’t have instructions, and there’s no particular format to follow, which is why we are sometimes apprehensive. But that’s also what makes it so beautiful. It’s free time with Jesus, where we don’t have to think about kneeling and standing or finding pages in the hymnal. Adoration is our up-close-and-personal time with the holy Eucharist, where we can focus wholly on our relationship with God.

I think that’s why I’ve grown to love adoration. The silence that surrounds me in front of the Eucharist makes me feel like I’m alone with Our Lord, even when there are other people there. Outside of the structure of Mass, I can bring Jesus everything that is in my heart at that moment, no matter how raw those things may be. I don’t have to think about what I need to say next or if I’m singing off-key (which I always am). Adoration is a rare moment where we can be in his presence without anyone telling us what to do or say.

Adoration has actually made Mass a more meaningful experience for me even when it’s a bit chaotic. No matter what else may be happening around me, I’m able to tune in more precisely to the words and actions of the priest as he celebrates the Liturgy of the Eucharist. As he consecrates the bread and wine, I feel a deeper connection to the miracle that is happening before my eyes. I anticipate receiving the Eucharist in a way that feels more active, more alive than it did before I started going to adoration. It’s like the different level of intimacy you enjoy with a friend you spend a lot of time with compared with one you run into once in a while.

Sometimes I invite someone to go with me. If I have a friend who is struggling with something, I invite them along, hoping the experience might give them the same peace it gives me. Often friends will ask what I do when I’m there. As I think about it, I wonder how many people avoid adoration because they have no clue what they are supposed to be doing! Maybe the concept of going inside a church or chapel for freestyle communion with God is something we haven’t been properly introduced to yet. But it’s simply too good an opportunity to pass up.

Some of my most Spirit-filled moments have occurred in the adoration chapel. I find peace if my mind is restless and clarity if my heart is troubled. If I’m really happy about something, it’s awesome to share my joy and gratitude with the risen Lord. As I’ve spent time there with God, I am able to listen more attentively to his directions and feel more clearly the gentle guidance he provides. It’s a unique feeling of being surrounded by his love in the midst of daily stress and chaos. I credit the time I spend in adoration with helping me grow in my faith and strengthen my reliance on and devotion to Jesus.

Let me invite you to spend this one-on-one time with the Lord. Whether your heart is filled with joy, fear, gratitude, or problems, adoration is the perfect opportunity to bring it all to Our Lord. If you’re a Catholic who hasn’t ventured inside an adoration chapel, ask yourself why not. To be honest, the first time I opened the door, I experienced a little fear of the unknown. Is it like that for you? Do you assume you have to be in a holy, meditative mood or perfect state of grace to go to adoration? Have you walked by a chapel and wondered what exactly was happening inside? Are you afraid you’ll do something wrong and stick out like a sore thumb?

Open the door. Go inside. Jesus is waiting there with open arms, looking to have a more personal relationship with you. In the following pages you will see different ideas and suggestions to use as you venture into this amazing experience. Read this book before you go, bring it with you, jot down ideas sparked by something you’ve read. It’s your time with Jesus, enjoy it!