Visits to the Blessed Sacrament
June 13, 1993
Brother John Raymond
This Sunday being Corpus Christi I cannot help but mention the
great advantage to one's spiritual life of praying before our
Eucharistic Lord. Unlike when one prays somewhere else, when one
prays in church one prays before Jesus Who is TRULY present in the
tabernacle. It is not just a spiritual presence but His total
Presence: Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. I might add that I am
talking about a living, feeling and loving Person Who is living in
our churches. Praying before the tabernacle as compared to praying
at home can be likened to the difference between visiting a friend
and talking to them over the phone - both are good but one is
better.
One should try to make a habit of stopping into Catholic churches
to pay Jesus a visit. Spending some quiet moments with Jesus can
make a tremendous difference in one's day. The problems,
difficulties and anxieties of life which seemed to be overwhelming
will slowly fall away or become much easier to bear. The peace of
Jesus will flow into one's soul. Let me relate the following true
story of a non-Catholic who learned this lesson. Elsie Briggs
entered the Mission Church in Roxbury, Massachusetts for one reason
only - to rest. She relates what happened next: "How long I sat
there, I don't know, but I suddenly became aware of someone living.
There was an actual presence all around that seemed to emanate from
the altar. It was pleasing and restful to feel. And without
half-realizing what I was doing I moved up front until I was sitting
in the first pew.
"The weariness and strain all fell away and a great sense of
peace and love came over me, combined with an intense desire to
sleep . . .
"And right here and now I want to explain that at that time I
knew absolutely nothing about Catholic teachings. No one had ever
told me of the Host or the ever-present living God on the altar."
This experience was the reason for her later becoming a Catholic.
It may be the case that the church one wants to visit is locked
most of the time. Still one should consider just parking the car
near the church and from there making a visit to Jesus. He will see
one's good intention of visiting Him and be pleased.
One important little custom which has fallen away in recent times
is acknowledging Jesus in some way when passing by a church. Jesus
is sensitive to our response of love so one should make it a point
of making the Sign of the Cross or even just saying "hello" to Jesus
when driving or walking by a church.
A great act of love one could do for Jesus in the Most Blessed
Sacrament would be to start Eucharistic Adoration in one's parish.
How happy Jesus would be to have people with Him night and day. How
many graces would He shower upon such a parish. For those interested
in giving Jesus the honor and glory He deserves by starting
Eucharistic Adoration contact:
Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration
660 Club View Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90024
Tel. 310-273-3856
Let us increase growth in our relationship with Jesus through
frequent visits to the Most Blessed Sacrament.