A thirty day challenge

Question: So, what do you say when you are in the Real Presence and focussed on adoration?

Answer: Nothing in particular.

A saint once said, “God looks at me and I look at God.” That is often enough.

If the Holy Spirit moves me to think, speak, or pray about something, then I follow that prompting. If I am lost for words, I simply remain there - quiet, attentive and receptive.

If I feel bored and find myself watching the clock, then that too becomes something I can offer to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament: “Here I am, Lord - bored and dry.”

If I begin to wonder what I am doing there, or whether I truly believe in the Real Presence, I pray the words of the Gospel: “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.”

If a particular situation, person, or relationship crosses my mind—a so-called distraction - I offer a brief prayer for that intention and then gently return my attention to the Lord's presence.

Today is the feast day of St Thomas, or ‘Doubting Thomas’, as he has often - and somewhat unfairly - been described. We can take comfort from the words Jesus spoke to him:

Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe. (John 20:29)

We are in good company. If Thomas struggled to believe the testimony of the other disciples and the reality of the Lord's Resurrection, then we too may entrust ourselves in faith to God, whom we do not see with our bodily eyes. Yet we encounter Him sacramentally in Holy Communion and enter into intimate communion with Christ in Eucharistic adoration. In this way, we share even now in the blessing promised to those who believe without seeing.

A 30-Day Challenge

Here is a simple challenge for you, if you would like to try it.

If it is possible for you to spend ten minutes each day in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament in a church that is open and convenient to visit, try doing so for thirty consecutive days.

There is no need to bring a book. Simply be there.

You might begin with a simple prayer such as:

“Thank you for loving me and drawing me to this place at this time. Here I am.”

You may find mindfulness or breathing exercises helpful in settling yourself, but the focus is not on a technique. The focus is on Jesus Christ truly present in the Blessed Sacrament.

Remain there like a supplicant before a generous lover - grateful, curious, silent and open to receiving whatever the Lord wishes to give.

You might begin with five minutes a day and gradually increase it to ten, then fifteen. Perhaps one day you may even forget about deadlines, watches and phones altogether and simply allow time to pass in the Lord's presence.

You may experience refreshment, peace or consolation. Or you may feel nothing at all. That is all fine. Prayer is not measured by feelings but by faithfulness.

If you cannot, on particular days, get to a church where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved, set aside a time and place on those days - preferably in first half of the day - for a spiritual visit. Make an act of spiritual communion and place yourself prayerfully in the presence of Jesus, who is always near to you.

Church of the Holy Trinity, Goresbridge, Co Kilkenny

Remember that the Holy Spirit dwells within us through grace. At the same time, Jesus Christ is present in the Eucharist in a unique and sacramental way.

It is sometimes said that it takes thirty days to form a habit (or 40 or 1,000 – who knows?!). I suggest that thirty days is probably long enough to discover whether a daily visit to the Lord might become a treasured part of your life.