I had never been to Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament before but I kept coming across things on blogs, books, Pinterest, and everywhere encouraging people to go.
Being that the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist was the thing that finally got me to convert, it seemed important to me to attend and really reflect on that.
Also, if you haven't noticed yet, Jesus is present right there in the church or chapel with you and that is so unbelievable awesome. Why on earth wouldn't you want to spend and hour or more with him?
Maybe this is one of those things where converts get super excited while cradle Catholics are like "yeah, I've known that since I was a child" but seriously, guys, it is amazing to realize that Jesus is there with you and you can just go and sit and pray or worship or just hang out and be in awe.
So, back to the story...
Checking out times and days for RCIA classes at the two churches nearest me, I noticed that one has Adoration for most of the day on the First Friday of each month. I had errands to run in that down on that day already, so I decided to spend an hour there at Adoration.
When showed up and another family was walking in at the same time. They looked at me a little bit puzzled, but I chalked it up to being a newcomer and possibly because I was wearing a headscarf (that could be another post, but I wear a scarf or mantilla whenever I'm in a church or praying; I started doing so years ago, when I was still a Baptist), and the lady closest to my age smiled so I figured all was good.
I was surprised to see how many people were there, but I thought that was great, because the impression I had gotten from others was that there were usually very few adorers present. It was silent when I arrived but, after a few minutes, the priest started leading us in prayer. As he prayed, in Spanish, it dawned on me that most of the people around me were Latino. The devotions and hymns that followed were all in Spanish as well.
It threw me off for a little bit, but I quickly realized the language didn't even matter. I understood some from the Spanish classes I took in school but, even when I didn't understand the words, I could recognize the reverence in them. I could also feel the peace and the presence of Jesus there and I would have stayed regardless of than language, because He transcends languages and words and He was there with us. I ended up staying for over an hour because of the presence there - I can't put it in to words but it was the best and most important thing I could have been doing and I did not want to leave.
I am looking back on the language barrier now and laughing a little bit, but I think I have a little better appreciation now for those who went to church when Mass was only said in Latin while they didn't understand it. The irony is I know most of the Latin prayers and songs, but I wasn't prepared for Spanish, which may be the more common language of the church at least in my part of the South.
It also reminded me of how easy it is to assume that the church is Anglo-centric. I've always taken for granted that the main language of any local church I went to would be English and that most people around me would look like me and come from a similar background, even though that's not true for the world or the church as a whole. It was good for me to be reminded of that and to realize more that I am entering into a truly worldwide church and faith and, again, that is is not about me and my particular culture or preference, but all about Christ and what He has done for the whole world.
What a beautiful post. Your final paragraph reminds me of when I visited St. Peter's Basilica in my teens. I don't remember saying this, but one of the people I was traveling with later told me that when we emerged from the church, and I looked out at the crowd and all of the nationalities that were represented, I gasped, "This really is the 'Universal' Church." Such a cool realization when that takes root in your heart - thank you for sharing that moment from your journey!
ReplyDeleteThanks. It must be amazing to visit St. Peter's and see all the people there together.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny for me because I spent a long time reading and studying the catechism, history, doctrine, but they're are a lot of things already that I'm just starting to realize now that I'm going to church. I guess it's the difference between learning and being.
One of the reasons I'm blogging (and keeping a more personal private journal) is because I want to remember all of these little things and moments and be reminded in case I ever get to the point where I start to take things in stride or for granted.