Go To Him With Joy

When I was in high school, I didn't know what Adoration was. I didn't know what an experience praise and worship could be. I got my first taste of both of these when I was 22 years old and lost, at a 242 Revolution conference that I went to with some young adults from my parish. While at that conference, I realized the true enormity of the gift of Jesus in the Eucharist. Previously, I had sauntered up to communion every Sunday at mass, said "amen" dutifully, and walked back to my spot to pray. Did I ever feel moved? Was I filled with joy after receiving our Lord? No. Perhaps this is you. Allow me to share with you what I learned that changed my view forever. If you have ever been to an XLT, which is basically a talk, praise and worship, and then adoration, you know how fiery people can get. They sob openly, they pray aloud, they laugh, fall to the ground, or jump around and clap. Bring Jesus out into the open carried in a beautiful monstrance and suddenly everyone goes crazy (in a totally good way). Flash forward to mass the next day: during the Consecration, people are talking, staring into the distance, checking their phone, etc. What happened? This is the same Jesus, the same Presence, that was there during adoration but for some reason the same people don't see it. I was guilty of this. Then I started to think: the same Jesus I worship in awe and joy during adoration is the same Jesus the priest presents to me during mass. Let that sink in. One and the same. This thought began to change my life. A few weeks ago, I was at another conference in Scottsdale, Arizona. A group of friends and I were discussing the points we had heard in the previous talk. One guy, being the only married core member, has a perspective and way of looking at situations that the rest of us don't have. He shared with us about the day he married his wife and that waiting there on the altar, watching her walk down the aisle to him, was one of the most moving experiences of his life. He told us how joyful he felt, knowing that she was willing to dedicate her life to him, and how beautiful she was. I imagine she felt the same about him, walking down the aisle to someone who totally loved her, who was waiting for her, who was ready to devote the rest of his life to her. This is when my friend said something I will never forget: I think this is how God feels, and how we should feel, when we walk to communion. Think about this. So. Jesus is waiting for you in the Eucharist. He is real, He is alive. He thinks you are totally worthy and beautiful. He wants nothing more than to be with you for your entire life. Whether in adoration or mass, his presence is true. Go to Him with joy in your heart.