Eucharistic Adoration: A Date With Jesus



by Colleen Miner

In the sixteenth year of happy marriage, you wouldn't think I'd be anticipating a date with another man. But this date was not just with any man; it was with Jesus.

This First Friday, I took the plunge. After reading in the bulletin that volunteers were needed to spend time with Jesus during the 12-hour adoration period, I signed up. After all, it is Advent. It's the least I could do to “prepare the way of the Lord” in my heart.

I took the only thirty minute slot. One hour might be way too much time for me take away from the time-consuming duties I have as a wife and mom to three school-aged daughters.

I must admit, I felt proud after signing up but when exiting church I could feel my nerves start to kick in. What am I doing? I am going to

be “in charge” of watching Jesus for half an hour?! What if I'm all alone with Him? What if something happens while I'm on post? What if I forget and

Jesus is left all alone?

I talked myself out of the pessimistic “nervous Nellie” thinking and told myself that the church would most likely be full of people at 10 a.m. This would be no big deal. After all, it's not like I've never prayed in the chapel before. What difference would it make if Jesus is in the tabernacle or exposed in the monstrance?

As 10 a.m. approached, I found myself in line at the bank's drive thru. Great, I thought, some elderly lady is probably wondering right now who this Colleen Miner is who was so unthoughtful as to sign up for a measley half-hour and then fail to make it to church on time.

I entered the dimly-lit chapel to find only one person there with Jesus. Gulp. She was friendly, introducing herself to me and saying that “she knew who I was.” Wonderful, I thought. She left quickly, explaining she had been there for a while because the person who signed up before me never showed.

So, there I was, face-to-face and alone with my creator. I knelt down and began praying my rosary — quickly, excitedly.

A feeling of joy soon swept over me. I had a date with Jesus, alone. How awesome! I fought back tears of joy. It's a feeling words cannot adequately express.

The candle flames surrounding Jesus were so still; the church so silent. A deep peace filled me as I remembered the Bible passage: “Be still and know I am God.” Now so relaxed, confident and strong, I felt as if I could conquer anything with this new wholeness from God.

Then I heard the church doors open. Could it be that my half hour was already finished? The next volunteer stepped forward to begin her time with the Lord and I left with a new confidence, mystically touched by His grace.

Jesus exposed in the monstrance is a life-changer, a life-healer, a boost for the soul. I would urge all Catholics to volunteer for First Friday Adoration in their parish. Everyone is invited to share that special time with our Lord. So go ahead, make a date with Jesus! You'll be glad you did.

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