As Jesus’ disciples returned from their labors, He invited them to “Come away by yourselves to a lonely place, and rest a while”. These words were not just meant for the disciples following Jesus 2000 years ago – they are words He speaks to us in our own time, amidst our own labors. He says something similar to a crowd who was weary from endless searching for fulfilment in something other than God, who were even guilty and wounded from seeking true peace in something other than Him. To these He offered a gentle invitation: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Jesus invites us into a peaceful life, not because it is somehow burdenless, but because He has assured us of His presence and friendship, His grace and strength, and His presence and grace eases the burden and offers us peace. We are blessed to be able to come to Jesus and lay down our burdens at His feet in the Eucharist. The Eucharist is truly Him (cf. Luke 19-20). While He has given Himself as Heavenly Food, He also chooses to remain with us as a companion, and this companionship deepens into true friendship when we spend time with Him in Eucharistic Adoration. This truth of the Presence of the Lord is not always and everywhere well-honored. In 1947, Pope Pius XII defended the practice of Eucharistic Adoration against the irreligious and anti-devotional attitudes that grumbled even in his day. Adoration of Jesus in the tabernacle or exposed in a monstrance is a strong profession of our gratitude to Him and the reality that we enjoy His friendship (Mediator Dei, 132). This is why this Holy Father reminded pastors of souls to encourage this exercise of piety among their flocks. He offered a warning against neglecting or discouraging adoration and other devotional exercises:
“Where adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and visits to our Lord in the tabernacles are neglected; where devotional confession is discouraged; and devotion to the Virgin Mother of God, a sign of ‘predestination’ according to the opinion of holy men, is so neglected, especially among the young, as to fade away and gradually vanish: this conduct is like poisonous fruit growing on the infected branches of a healthy tree, which must be cut off so that the life-giving sap of the tree may bring forth only the best fruit.” (MD, 176).
Fostering a life of true devotion is the secret to strong faith life, and the more of us who tend to this work the stronger our parish will become. Devotion is the life-sap of a fruitful life. And it all starts with the Eucharist. I want to share just a few more thoughts on the importance and centrality of devotion to the Eucharist in the Christian life:
“The Eucharist is Jesus Himself, Who gives Himself entirely to us. Nourishing ourselves on that Bread of Life means entering into harmony with the heart of Christ, assimilating His choices, His thoughts, His behavior. It means entering a dynamism of love and becoming people of peace, people of forgiveness, of reconciliation, of solidarity. Heaven begins precisely in this communion with Jesus” – Pope Francis
“In a world where there is so much noise, so much bewilderment, there is a need for silent adoration of Jesus concealed in the Host. Be assiduous in the prayer of adoration and teach it to the faithful. It is a source of comfort and light, particularly to those who are suffering” – Pope Benedict XVI
“Of all devotions, that of adoring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the greatest after the sacraments, the one dearest to God and the one most helpful to us” – St. Alphonsus Liguori
“When you look at the Sacred Host you understand how much Jesus loves you now” – Mother Teresa
One of our goals as a parish is to have near-perpetual adoration at St. Wendelin, from Monday 8am until Friday 5pm, through the day and night. Not only will this be an act of righteousness towards God, whom we owe our love and adoration, but this will be a consolation for our souls, and a strength for our parish. Together, we can offer an unceasing prayer to God as a family. Being with Jesus in the Eucharist is a foretaste of Heaven, where we will dwell forever in the Presence of the Lord, loving Him and being loved by Him. Please prayerfully consider that God is beckoning you to “Come to Him” in adoration, and I hope many of us respond to the Lord’s invitation to rest a while with Him in the Blessed Sacrament. I remain,
Affectionately Yours in Christ,
Fr. Hess
