+JMJ
I sat meditating on the Nativity this week and I was struck by the actions of the shepherds and the Magi. The joy and wonder, filling their hearts are almost tangible right off the page. Their desire to see the new King. Their need to honor and adore Him. The actions of the shepherds and Magi need to be played out in my own heart because their actions show a drawing near to the Lord.
There is one place where I find I am able to do this….
The Visit of the Shepherds
When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.
-Luke 2:16-20
The shepherds were moved by the glorious moment with the angels to see the miracle that had been announced to them. They are consumed by the grace that was present in that little stable. The grace that radiated from the child in the manger. Their hearts completely filled with the love of the Lord come down from heaven and they adored Him.
They are filled with the Spirit as they sit before the newborn King. They are strengthened by being with Him and they go forth glorifying and praising Him to everyone they meet.
The Visit of the Magi
After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star and entering the house they saw the child and Mary His mother. They prostrate themselves and did Him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. -Matthew 2:9-11
How far the Magi traveled to meet the infant Jesus. How much they must have sacrificed and endured to be in His presence. I feel the longing of faith within them allowed them to follow a star not knowing where it would lead them. To pay homage to an infant they found in such a lowly place.
It is incredible to think about three kings, who I am sure were rich and dressed in the finest robes, prostrated themselves on the dirty floor of a stable. These magi laid themselves face down on a floor that would have been a mix of dirt, manure, urine, animal feed, and hay in order to pay Him homage. The adoration this shows towards the King of Kings is so beautiful.
Spiritual Longing
O God, You are my God- it is You I seek! For you my body yearns; for You my soul thirsts, in a land parched, lifeless, and without water. I look to You in the sanctuary to see Your power and glory. For Your love is better than life; my lips shall ever praise You!” -Psalm 63:2-4
It was deep spiritual longing for God that made these two very different groups of people be compelled to praise, glorify, and adore the infant Jesus. They were both drawn to Him, for reasons not known at first, but in His presence things became clear. Wisdom and understanding flowed forth from the infant Jesus in the lowly manger. This clarity moved them to love Jesus and act accordingly.
We too have a spiritual longing that draws us constantly to Jesus and we too have a place where we can be in His presence and adore Him.
We have the gift of Eucharistic Adoration.
Eucharistic Adoration: What is it exactly?
Adoration in the dictionary has two meanings:
- Deep love and respect
- Worship and veneration
Eucharistic Adoration is the act of praying, worshiping, and venerating Jesus Christ, truly present in the Eucharistic Host, which is exposed in a monstrance. It is usually exposed in a small Adoration Chapel, but I have attended Adoration before the main altar as well.
It allows us the opportunity to give the Lord our deepest love and respect.
Holy Hour
It stems from the Gospel of Matthew:
When He returned to His disciples He found them asleep. He said to Peter, “So you could not keep watch with me for one hour? Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
–Matthew 26:40-41
An hour is usually the block of time used to pray before the Blessed Sacrament in remembrance of the Agony in the Garden. That we may keep “watch with Him for an hour”, and be strengthened for “the test.”
The Image of Adoration To Me
Adoration for me is walking into the chapel, it is completely silent, and only one person sits in a pew near the front.
It is Jesus.
I sit next to Him and He reaches over to take my hand. We sit silently, but He knows everything in my heart, mind, and soul.
He waits as I pour out everything in silent prayer. He just sits holding my hand, quietly waiting for me to give it all to Him. It all seems to spew out like a garbage bag that rips open as you are carrying it. All my worries, anxieties, questions, concerns, needs, wants, praises…
As each prayer gushes out my heart feels lighter. My mind stops turning. My soul slowly fills with peace.
Sometimes I think I am done, and try to leave. All too often rushed by the laundry list of things I need to get done. But Jesus isn’t done with me yet, so I feel a gentle pull to stay as if He squeezes my hand saying, “Not yet.”
So, I relax and let His grace wash over me.
Once, I have given everything to Him, my mind is clear and settled. It is only when everything is handed over, sometimes unwillingly, He starts to teach me. To guide me to the answers I desperately seek. I just need to listen as His wisdom comes forth during meditation on scripture, reading the life of a saint, and/or praying through the catechism.
It is in adoration that I am blessed most often with Contemplative Prayer. It always puts me in the right mindset and an open heart to receive Him.
After I am completely settled and He has imparted some gift of wisdom to me, it is as if He gives my hand a gentle squeeze and releases it. He releases me back out into the world, lighter, free of the burdens I entered the chapel with, and strengthed for the tasks He has prepared for me.
Challenge
I challenge you to find an Adoration Chapel near you and spend One Hour with Him this week.
Praise, adore, and glorify Him in the Holy Eucharist just as the shepherds and the magi did. Imagine yourself coming before the infant Jesus in the manger. What would you say? What would you do? For just as we long for Him, He longs for us. He wants you to spend an hour (or more) with Him.
If you need help finding an Adoration Chapel, this is a good place to start or call your local parish for more information about Adoration in your area.
One of my favorite things in the whole world is to sit before the Blessed Sacrament in Eucharistic Adoration. It gives me a chance to glorify, praise, and adore my Lord Jesus. It gives me the opportunity to be strengthened by Him as His grace pours forth from His presence in the Eucharist. It is where I receive so much wisdom, understanding, and clarity. So, I urge you to take this challenge and allow the love of God to guide you in the presence of the Holy Eucharist.
Thrive in Jesus, my Friends!
Do you pray before the Blessed Sacrament regularly? Do you have an assigned hour? Any worries who have if you have never been before?
Leave a comment if the Spirit moves you too!