The Chance of a Lifetime

The Lantern Vol. 52

Recently our church began an effort to provide perpetual adoration during the weekdays.

I have tried to think about how I can encourage everyone to participate in this great gift. So I just thought I would share my experience. A Protestant I recently met referred to adoration as babysitting God. On the contrary, it is God babysitting me. They hear of the Catholic teaching that during adoration, God should not be left alone. I reflect on how poor our faith is that He could be left alone. How can we have so great a treasure and opportunity and yet take it for granted.

A few years ago, I was blessed by God to experience radiation therapy. An experience that reminds me of adoration.

I was exposed to a great power that although I cannot see it, I know it affects me. Later I developed an understanding that Adoration is much like a day at the beach. I go for a Son Tan, an opportunity to soak up the rays of the Son. Adoration Provides us with an intimate opportunity to bathe in the light and warmth of our lord. Like the sun we might feel a warmth yet we never see the immediate effects. Adoration gives us warmth and it refreshes the soul. A radiation that like the sun is also unseen but so effective. It warms and heals yet never burns. I like to sit upfront because when we go to the beach, we like a good spot and I want to get a good spot on His beach.

When friends and I go to a concert everyone seems to want the closest seats to the performance. I see in my mind's eye God sitting on His throne and I am able to sit at His feet, sometimes rambling like a child sometimes just listening.

I want unrestricted access to the Son. When I am there, it is much like Adam in the Garden. We are naked yet unafraid. God sees me as I am. There is no hiding, no lies, no deception. He knows me as I can be known. It brings a level of anxiety being so close to the lord and I would be fearful of my unworthiness but I think of the scriptures. Like the scripture when the angel touches the tongue of the prophet, we are made worthy by His love and mercy to be here.

I always consider myself His Child. As a parent we long for our children to come to us to seek advice, forgiveness, love. When our children are babies, they completely rely on their parents. In our society adulthood is often marked by age. A function of time when learning or experience has matured a person enough to understand on their own. As we grow up, how many of us abandon those simple things we were taught as a child, like prayers before bed. That's why I remember we always remain His children. God is ageless and timeless, and we never approach a time where we equal His knowledge.

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As I lay, or kneel, or sit in His presence I can only imagine how God really appears. He is here in the flesh, but the eye made blind by sin his glory may not see. One morning we looked at the security cameras and I believe it showed what we should see.

Although sometimes I sit by myself, I know I am never alone, rather I'm in a crowd of angels. I think of my own guardian angel with me. I wonder if he is worn out from the struggle of my unfaithfulness. Decades on the defensive. So, I am happy that he is with me on the beach, for once having a picnic, taking a break while I sit with dad.

I remember how throughout the centuries Our Lord has displayed His glory with Eucharist miracles. Young blessed Carlo Acutis took the time to document over 100 of these miracles and each week we present one to the public. It is wonderful reading these events and knowing what God has done to help us to erase our doubts.

When we go to adoration, knowing who we are with, some of us hope God will show us something special, and I am confident He does, to each as they need it.

But why did I come? Because he is here in the flesh. Like a famous actor or celebrity He is making an appearance. I cannot see Him, yet I want Him to know I desire His counsel. I pray for forgiveness, for those I love, for those who don't love me. I pray for thanksgiving because I can never fathom the love and gifts and time and patience He has shown me. I want Him to know his child loves him no matter how often I fail. I want him to be familiar with my face so when I am called from this life He knows me as that child who would always say hello .

I am unusual in that I have headphones with me, and I will listen to songs that help me pray and meditate and think of His love. I start with "WILL LIFT MY EYES" By Bebo Norman, it goes like this…

God, my God, I cry out, Your beloved needs You now.. God, be near calm my fear and take my doubt, Your kindness is what pulls me up Your love is all that draws me in.. I will lift my eyes to the Maker…

There is also a wide selection of spiritual books around me which I see covered with God's fingerprints. These are books purchased by our brothers and sisters which touched their hearts. So touched by God that they wanted to share that experience. When I am there with others it reminds me of a kitchen. The place where the family gathers for good times. Where we are all a family at peace. The few pictures and images surrounding us are, but heavenly reminders of what Jesus has done for us. A crucifix, stations, a statue of His mother, an icon of Christ the bridegroom and the image of His Divine Mercy. Sometimes the monstrance reminds me of an old fashioned microphone, with Christ as its center, the Instrument of our Redemption. As if I could hold it and speak to the Father through the mediation of the Son. The way to the Father is through and with the Son.

Above all and above all, front and center is our Lord and the last thing I remember are His words that he who sees Him sees the Father. What a great and miraculous gift being, able to sit in the presence of God.

Please take the opportunity to spend time with God now. As they say in the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life”, “You hear- the chance of a Lifetime”