Weekly Reflection 11/8/2020
Reflection
Adoration of the Holy Eucharist
November 7-8, 2020
“Adoration is the first attitude of man acknowledging that he is a creature before his Creator. It exalts the greatness of the Lord who made us and the almighty power of the Savior who sets us free from evil. Adoration is homage of the spirit to the “King of Glory,” respectful silence in the presence of the “ever greater” God. Adoration of the thrice-holy and sovereign God of love blends with humility and gives assurance to our supplications.” [CCC 2628]
That is a mouthful, but what does this teaching in the Catechism mean to us in everyday life? What do I do during ‘adoration’? Here is a biblical example. This event in the life of Jesus is only found in the Gospel of Luke,[Lk 10:38-42] it is Jesus’ encounter with Martha and Mary. Recall Jesus is visiting, Mary is at Jesus’ feet listening to him. Martha is scurrying about doing good work being a great hostess, but she complains to Jesus, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving?” Jesus replies, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.” Mary sat in adoration, just watching and listening to Jesus and He appreciated what she was doing because it was right, it was right worship. Mary was sitting in front of God, gazing at his face and He hers. She sat in silence as He spoke. When you love someone, when that love matures and all the nervous talking is done, you can catch yourself just listening to this person you love. You’re content starring at the one you love and for you, it is a good use of your time. That is what God wants from us, for us to spend time with Him; to sit in front of Him; to look at His face, while He looks at ours. We can speak if we want, we call that prayer, but then, in stillness, we listen, we listen to Him. We are building and nurturing of our personal relationship with God.
Don’t think this can only be done when the Eucharist is Exposed in a Monstrance. That is an appropriate time, but anytime the Eucharistic Chapel is open, or you can sit in the naïve in front of the tabernacle; Christ is present there. The more time we spend with someone the more we take on their characteristics. That is our goal in adoration, to become more like Christ, more like what God wants us to be. What do we do in adoration? We look at the face of God while He looks at ours.