WHAT IS THE EUCHARIST?

As you may or may not know, as Catholics we believe in the True Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. In other words, we believe that the communion host at Mass and the wine are really not bread and wine! They are the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Lord, Jesus Christ! We call this the "source and summit" of our faith. This means that the Eucharist is the "source" of our salvation, love, strength, and it's the "summit" or the goal of our faith. In other words, our source and our goal is not an "it," it's a "He." It's Jesus.

Think about that! That means that God Himself, the Creator of the Universe, the Almighty One who holds all creation in existence, humbles Himself to take on the appearance of bread and wine. The Eucharist is the greatest opportunity for intimacy and communion with Jesus, with God Himself!

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins.

Matthew 26:26-28

---

WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH ADORATION?

Adoration is an opportunity for us to pray before the True Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. The Eucharistic host is placed in a "monstrance" (meaning "to show"), which displays the Eucharist so we can see Him clearly. Then we pray. We talk, we listen. You don't have to worry if you're doing it right or not. Just show up and remain reverent in His presence.

This is an opportunity for you to spend time in the direct, physical presence of God. Who could pass that up?