Karen Glen

Eucharistic Adoration changed my life!
 
When I was young I would attend Eucharistic Adoration with my mom on Tuesday evenings. It was a special time with my mom and an important part of my spiritual journey. Little did I know the impact it would have later in my life. As I married and had children of my own, my time for spiritual nourishment took a back seat to what I considered the more pressing needs at hand. There was work, children’s activities, home life, etc. Occasionally, I would go to Adoration as opportunities presented, most often on Holy Thursday, when we as a Church are invited to sit and wait with Jesus, in remembrance of His Agony in the Garden.
 
About 18 years ago I was a parishioner at St. Agnes in Concord. They have a Perpetual Adoration Chapel (24 hours a day). I had begun to attend daily mass and was continually drawn to spend time both before and after in the chapel. It became an unimaginable blessing in my life. So true was it that the more time I spent, the more I desired to sit with the Lord in quiet prayer and reflection. The peace that came from bringing my sorrows and my woes, as well as my joys and praises to the Lord was such a gift.
 
About a year and a half ago, I had the opportunity to participate in a CEDDO Mass (Confraternity of Eucharistic Devotion Diocese of Oakland) here at St. Catherine of Siena. During the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, the celebrant asked each of us to come to the altar rail as he brought the monstrance to pass by. He invited us to reach out and touch the cloth that was wrapped at the base. It had been an extremely difficult couple of weeks for me. My mother was not well and I had to help my family adjust to the changing care that my mother required. I was upset, frustrated, sad, and very angry. I knew in that moment as I waited for the Lord to come, just as the woman in the Gospel of Mark, “If I just touch His garments, I will be healed.” The anticipation was cleansing and as I touched the cloth that surrounded our Lord, I felt relieved from my burdens of sorrow, frustration, and anger. In that moment the Lord had heard my cries and wiped away my tears. The Lord, present in the Holy Eucharist invites us all to come and sit with Him. Sometimes we think we don’t have the time, but I encourage you to make the time because I know what a difference it has made in my life. Whether you have an hour, ten minutes, or are just able to make it for the Benediction (Closing Prayers). I have experienced that time spent with the Lord lifts my heart, relieves my burdens, and refreshes my soul.
 
I hope that you answer the Lord’s invitation.