On the Blessed Sacrament

The Blessed Sacrament is the greatest treasure of the Catholic Church. Because God loved us as he did, He remained with us for all eternity in the form of bread and wine. True food for the soul. As Catholics we are encouraged to spend time with in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament in the form of adoration. Shouldn't we be like the Mary character in the Gospel and spend time contemplating Christ?

In a time of New Year resolutions, perhaps we can all make the effor to visit the Blessed Sacrament at least once a week to spend a few minutes in the presence of Christ himself. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says,

1418 Because Christ himself is present in the sacrament of the altar, he is to be honored with the worship of adoration. "To visit the Blessed Sacrament is . . . a proof of gratitude, an expression of love, and a duty of adoration toward Christ our Lord" (Paul VI, MF 66).

Here are some quotes from some of my favorite writers.

"Out of the darkness of my life, so much frustrated, I put before you the one great thing to love on earth:the Blessed Sacrament.There you will find romance, glory, honour, fidelity, and the true way of all your loves on earth." ~J.R.R. Tolkien

"We adore Thee most holy Lord Jesus Christ, here in all Thy Churches, which are in the whole world, because by Thy holy cross, Thou hast redeemed the world."
~St. Francis of Assisi

Each time we look upon Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, He raises us up into deeper union with Himself, opens up the floodgates of His merciful love to the whole world, and brings us closer to the day of His final victory "where every knee will bend and proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord". "The reign of God is already in your midst." The coming of Jesus to us in the Eucharist is assurance of His promise of final victory: "BEHOLD, I COME TO MAKE ALL THINGS NEW." ~Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta

"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

"The Church and the world have a great need of Eucharistic worship."~Pope John
Paul II

"When the Sisters are exhausted, up to their eyes in work; when all seems to go awry, they spend an hour in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. This practice has never failed to bear fruit: they experience peace and strength," ~Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta