Eucharistic Adoraion: Don't Quite Get It

[TrueLight]

Good morning everyone,

Last night I spent some time in Eucharistic Adoration. As I stared at the monstrance (?) and the wafer, I became a bit confused. Why exactly am I staring at the wafer? Yes, I know it is the real presence, but I still don’t understand why we need that.

Isn’t Jesus everywhere?

Can I not look up at the beautiful depiction of Jesus on the wall or the Crucifix and be reminded of Jesus?

I ended up spending the rest of the time, just closing my eyes in prayer.

I suspect there is something missing in my understanding. And I don’t know how I would explain Eucharistic adoration to someone else.

Help!

 

[hazcompat]

ewtn.com/library/DOCTRINE/WINDHEAV.TXT

peace

 

[TrueLight]

ewtn.com/library/DOCTRINE/WINDHEAV.TXT

peace

Thanks! This quote is helpful:

*In the Eucharist, we see . Not as we shall see Him when we
leave this world, not as He wants to be known by us in eternity,
but in the form in which He has chosen to come to us on our
earthly journey. Someday, when this present darkness ends and God
is “all in all,” we shall see His beloved face, and we shall be
embraced by and love the One Who made us out of love, redeemed us,
gave himself to darkest death for us.
*

Does anyone know when this tradition of Eucharistic Adoration began?

I mean it is one thing to believe in the real presence, but it is another to bow before it, or make the sign of the cross when passing a Catholic Church because Christ is in the tabernacle.

I don’t know. I just see Christ as being more vast than that.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

I have never in my life seen anyone cross themselves just for passing a Catholic Church! Wow…We bow in honor of the Altar where Christ’s transubstantiation takes place…We gaze upon our only sacramental sign of His presence with us until he comes again. When you truly understand the Eucharist, you will “get” adoration.

I have a very hard time not prostrating myself in front of Christ in the Host. I want to fall on my face and let the tears flow…He opens my heart to Himself whenever I am in His presence…

I cannot explain, it is a mystery. If you pray, then feel free to pray. You still might get answers you didn’t even know you had a question for.

 

[hazcompat]

Thanks! This quote is helpful:

*In the Eucharist, we see . Not as we shall see Him when we
leave this world, not as He wants to be known by us in eternity,
but in the form in which He has chosen to come to us on our
earthly journey. Someday, when this present darkness ends and God
is “all in all,” we shall see His beloved face, and we shall be
embraced by and love the One Who made us out of love, redeemed us,
gave himself to darkest death for us.
*

Does anyone know when this tradition of Eucharistic Adoration began?

I mean it is one thing to believe in the real presence, but it is another to bow before it, or make the sign of the cross when passing a Catholic Church because Christ is in the tabernacle.

I don’t know. I just see Christ as being more vast than that.

ewtn.com/library/HOMELIBR/HISTOREA.HTM

when you look at your hand, you look through Him. He is closer than you imagine. open your heart, He will commune with you. His presence is Deep peace, and unimaginable joy. Once he gives you this grace, you will never be the same.

peace

 

[TrueLight]

ewtn.com/library/HOMELIBR/HISTOREA.HTM

when you look at your hand, you look through Him. He is closer than you imagine. open your heart, He will commune with you. His presence is Deep peace, and unimaginable joy. Once he gives you this grace, you will never be the same.

peace

Well the thing is I do commune with God and I know he is close, always. Which is why I find it hard to focus all my attention on the Eucharist during adoration.

 

[nodito]

Can I not look up at the beautiful depiction of Jesus on the wall or the Crucifix and be reminded of Jesus?

Sure, just like you could look at a picture of your mother or your spouse and be reminded of them. There’s a difference between gazing at a representation of someone (a picture, a statue, etc) and actually being in their presence. When we go to Eucharistic Adoration, we actually put ourselves in the presence of Jesus. God is everywhere, in the sense that He created us and knows our every move, but when we look at a dog or a picture or a flower, we are not looking at God, we are looking at his creation. When we look at the Host, we are actually looking at Jesus.

 

[TrueLight]

have never in my life seen anyone cross themselves just for passing a Catholic Church!

Oh yes. Lots of Catholics do it.

Wow…We bow in honor of the Altar where Christ’s transubstantiation takes place…We gaze upon our only sacramental sign of His presence with us until he comes again. When you truly understand the Eucharist, you will “get” adoration.

Yes. I’m trying.

I have a very hard time not prostrating myself in front of Christ in the Host. I want to fall on my face and let the tears flow…He opens my heart to Himself whenever I am in His presence…

So that’s my problem, I guess. “In his presence”. When I am kneeling in front of my bed, I am “in his presence” as well. I don’t feel that I need to be in front of the host.

I cannot explain, it is a mystery. If you pray, then feel free to pray. You still might get answers you didn’t even know you had a question for.

Maybe I’ll continue to attend the Eucharistic adoration services and God will reveal something to me.

 

[hazcompat]

Well the thing is I do commune with God and I know he is close, always. Which is why I find it hard to focus all my attention on the Eucharist during adoration.

Then don’t. Let go. Jesus, I trust in you.

“Maybe I’ll continue to attend the Eucharistic adoration services and God will reveal something to me.”

Bring a handkerchief.

peace

 

[laszlo]

God is everywhere. God is three Person, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. All three Person is everywhere and present in every time.

In the time the Second Divine Person became man. He wanted to be united with the world, so he received his body from the Blessed Virgin Mary. Two natures in one person.

As man he was mortal, so he died, risen and ascended to the heaven.

He wanted to stay with us, and His presence is the Eucharist.

This is mystery, how, but we worship this mystery.

 

[mom2em]

I have never in my life seen anyone cross themselves just for passing a Catholic Church!

I like to think that I knew this … at least growing up, but I don’t think that I ever knew why, until recently. Now, whenever I pass a church, if I know it to be Catholic, I bless myself. If it isn’t Catholic, I’ll try and bow my head and thank Jesus all the same. Sometimes I might forget or sometimes it might just make a situation all the more awkward (like in a car with my father) and I’ll bless myself mentally and thank Jesus. Upon passing a graveyard, I’ll ask eternal rest and that His perpetual light might shine upon them and grant peace to their families, Catholic or no.

hehe when I don’t manage to do those things, I tend to feel a little guilty for not doing so.