Men’s Adoration

It’s early morning. Still dark outside. Still Lent. It’s what we used to call in the Navy, “zero-dark-thirty.” It’s adoration, before our monthly Men’s Breakfast.

The Church is dark except for three spotlights on a purple shrouded crucifix and statues of Mary and Joseph. The other statues are similarly shrouded. The only other light comes from the candles on the altar in the midst of which is Our Blessed Lord in a monstrance.

When you step inside you smell the incense, the sign of the presence of the divine. Slowly men move silently into the pews. By the time we get to benediction there will be at least twenty who left the warmth of their homes and went out into the chill night air to come adore Our Lord.

I look at Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and understand that He is here--for me and for all of us, even those not present. He came and died for me individually and for mankind collectively. The words of St. Augustine come to mind, “He loves each one of us as if there were only one of us.”

It’s a chilly morning. These men have gotten up while it is still night just to spend some personal time with Jesus. The parish is preparing for Holy Week. The altar, pictures, statues and such are all draped in purple.  But Jesus is here. He is here in each of us and for each of us. In some way He speaks to each one of us, personally.

If you don’t believe, come join us. Join us with open hearts and minds. You will feel His presence. It will change you.

Jesus welcomes everyone. But if you truly encounter Him it will change you. He asks you to bring all you have, your worries, cares, failings, joys, and even your sins and place them before Him on the altar, at the foot of the Cross. Then allow Him to work in you, to change you.

Adoration changes you. We think we are doing it for Jesus but in reality He is here for us, each one of us. He meets us where we are. Don’t turn away from Him. He wants to show His love for you. Just as He did for Thomas, He is willing to show you His wounds, how He suffered for you. Can’t you love Him back just a little?

C’mon guys. We do this every month. Come join us. Try to love Jesus as He loves you.

If your parish doesn’t do adoration on a regular basis, demand it, it’s your right. Not only that, as the Eucharistic prayer says, “It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks, Lord Holy Father, almighty and eternal God, through Jesus Christ Our Lord.”

What better way to thank someone, especially a friend, than to spend time with them? Jesus is your friend.

Spend time with Him.

Get to know Him.

It will change your life, for the better.