I am a member of the Emmanuel Community. The profound grace of the community comes from Eucharistic Adoration. Members of the community commit themselves, as far as possible, to a long period of daily adoration. It is in Adoration that we meet God: ‘Emmanuel’, truly present among us, and come closer to him. This inspires us to reach out in compassion to and share the Good News of God’s love through evangelisation.
In Eucharistic Adoration I meet Jesus face to face. I come to him as I am, giving him thanks for calling me into his presence, to come before him in Eucharistic worship. During Adoration the real presence of Jesus penetrates through my entire self and gives me peace. I sit with the Lord and look at him; and he looks back at me, radiating his goodness and love.
I come before Jesus in Adoration in sincerity and truth, speaking to him all the aspects of my daily journey, and I allow him to converse with me about this journey, as I listen and attune myself to his presence in the silence of my heart. As I gaze at the Lord I receive the grace of his divine love, which challenges me to live the Eucharist, to make it alive and active by acts of charity and compassion.
Jesus said ‘Come to me all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest’ (Matthew 11:28). In Adoration I come close to Jesus and I allow him to come close to me. I speak to him about my struggles and I surrender them all to him. I thank him for the ways he has blessed my life, for the gifts he has given to me, and for the encounters of my day. I spend some time with the scriptures and in intercession, remembering those who have asked for my prayers.
Through Eucharistic Adoration I am renewed and refreshed by meeting the Lord Jesus, truly present in the Blessed Sacrament. I am constantly nourished and sustained in the Lord’s goodness and love by his real sacramental presence, and through having a personal encounter and conversation with him. The peace I feel during Adoration fills me with gratitude for all I’ve been given in life and helps me to let go and let God, trusting in him and striving to live in the present moment, one day at a time.
