Fr. Hans' Pair o' Dimes

Hi everybody, and happy (almost) September! September is a month of re-starting, and here at Holy Trinity is no exception.

One of the things we’re re-starting this week is our Thursday evening Adoration — though it will be a little different than it was before. Every Thursday (not just the first and third of the month) we will have Exposition of the Eucharist on the main altar (not in the chapel) at 6:00pm, followed by an hour for Adoration and Prayer, and then Benediction at 7:00pm. As we have been doing for daily Mass, it will be show-up-and-sign-in.
 

The practice of Eucharistic Adoration is centuries old, with a drawn out development. In the very early days of the Church, the need to bring communion to the homebound was quickly recognized, so after mass, the Eucharist would be taken to them. In the following centuries (largely in the 4th), the practice of “reserving” the Eucharist in tabernacles began. This made it possible to have the Eucharist on hand for people who were dying.

In the 11th century, dispute over the Church’s teaching about the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist led to clearer doctrinal statements of the Church’s belief. From this time, the practice of praying before Jesus in the Eucharist grew. It was around this time that the “Elevations” were added to the Consecration during mass.

Originally, the priest had simply said the words of Consecration, but now he would raise the host and the chalice after saying the words so that the people could adore Jesus now present. Similarly, after elevating the host and chalice for the people to adore, the priest genuflects in adoration.
 

The Feast of Corpus Christi (it’s formally titled “the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, but “Corpus Christi” is so much easier to say!) developed in the 13th and 14th centuries, often featuring processions with the Eucharist, singing, and adoration. Over the centuries, Eucharistic devotion has taken many similar forms, with one central truth: the Eucharist is Jesus, and we worship Him!
 

My own reflection on Adoration often centers on mutual self-giving, and responsibility in relationships. We can pray any time, anywhere, and we should. If something makes us angry, we pray. If we are joyful, we can pray. If we need something, we ask God in that moment. This sort of sharing of the ups and downs in life is a necessary part of relationship with God.
 


Adoration is, and should be, something a little different. It is a time completely set aside for Jesus. It goes beyond surface level comments between family members, and into deliberate quality time with someone we deeply love. I personally find the time commitment helpful, as it reminds me to spend time listening rather than just talking and leaving. Jesus isn’t just useful to me; He is Someone to whom I owe time and effort.
 
Are you ready to commit an hour on a Thursday evening to Jesus? Please come and pray!