We are into the second full week of Lent, which I am “celebrating” in a very special way this year. I’m partaking of a very old and very mystical tradition, so stick with me through the explanation of what it is, it is changing my life and opening my heart in a deep and profound way.
I am approaching Lent this year differently than other years. I didn’t know what I was going to “do” or give up until about a week before it started. In case you don’t already know, Lent isn’t only about sacrifice, it is about prayer, fasting (which we think of as giving things up) and almsgiving. This year I decided to focus on prayer.
Stay with me here, or if you already know what adoration is, skip the next two paragraphs — in the Catholic church there is a very old and beautiful tradition called Adoration. Since we believe that the bread we break and the wine we drink in the mass (our church service) are ACTUALLY, LITERALLY transformed into Jesus’ body and blood, we believe that the transformed bread and wine is incredibly special. It’s hard to contemplate, especially if you are not already religious, but imagine if you had God physically in front of you, and that He could enter your body and heal and make you whole.
The tradition of adoration is sitting in front of that transformed bread and wine (which we call the Blessed Sacrament) and praying. It is a special way of praying in the physical presence of God. I was pretty skeptical about this for a long time, but after enough times of trying it and being brought to tears by the things that I felt I had no choice but to believe.
This Lent, I am trying to take time each day to “visit with God”, and sit and pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament, in Adoration.
This practice has been amazing and transformative. I am calmed, I am often brought to tears, I feel like I know how to go about my day in a way that will be better for me and those around me. I even get this tiny inkling of what will come next in my life, what I need to do to prepare.
The first day I did this I was with my sister and my Grandma, neither of whom are Catholic. I was so excited that though they aren’t Catholic (none of my family is Catholic) they wanted to come to AshWednesday service with me and receive the blessing of ashes, and pray with me. I was so thankful to have them there with me, to be in front of God with them, that I didn’t get into the nitty gritty of opening my heart wide until the second day.
That second day I went to the little church in my town and kneeled down on my pew in front of God, and tried to get in a prayerful mindset. I said an “Our Father”, I thought of the things I wanted to ask for, I thought of the things I was thankful for, the usual basic prayer stuff.
I thought of the things I was truly anxious and scared about, that tiny little place of true and deep fear in my heart. I thought “don’t do it Michelle, don’t let the lid off that tiny box, you’ll come unglued and won’t be able to keep it together.” Then I realized that doing that is exactly the reason I was there. I was there to open that box and let God in, I was there to come unglued and not hold it together. I felt my tense muscles immediately relax and I cried, I let all the little pain of my heart come out there in that church in front of that Blessed Sacrament.
When I left the church that day my heart was less heavy, my little fear box was less full. My armor was weaker and my heart was more open. I was kinder to those I met, I shared my love more freely. I won’t say that I was never anxious again, but that release brought great catharsis. A calming peace that came from not being held together, but open and true and in humble submission to my Lord and His plan for my life.
Sure I am giving up other things this Lent, I’m not eating meat on Fridays, I’m not playing with my phone during mealtimes. I’m cleaning my house and am only buying things we really need. I’m filling in my little Lenten prayer journal and reading the bible more.
My focus though, is on the prayer. On the opening up and letting go. On giving it up all to God, leaving it there at the altar in front of His body and blood and gaining His peace and guidance. It’s been amazing so far, and I can’t wait to go back again today.
If you live nearby, I invite you to join me any time. This Lent or not. Whatever faith background you come from or whether or not you believe the things I do. It truly is a mystical experience.
Have you ever had a mystical religious experience? Have you ever given up something for Lent that has changed your life?
Michelle Brown is the Owner / Editor of Oh The Simple Joys. There she shares her passion for parenting, birth, homeschooling / unschooling, gardening, cooking, living naturally and loving unarmed.
(c) 2015 Michelle Brown
Heather K says
I have been struggling with a lot of anxiety and fear these past couple of months, and am frustrated because I feel like I am letting it get the best of me. This is a beautiful post and I feel like I’ve had 2-3 conversations/readings etc. in the last couple of days and I know God is continuing to call me to Him! Thank you for sharing your Lenten practice!
Michelle says
Well, I cannot escape the invitation from God today. I’m not sure if you are familiar with the Catholic Company’s Morning Offering. It’s what I’ve been waking up to for years now. Today I scrolled down and saw something I haven’t noticed until today:
3rd SUNDAY of LENT
This Week’s Morning Offering Lenten Challenge
Each day this week make a little visit to the Blessed Sacrament. Stop by a Catholic Church at some point during your day to pray – even if just for 5 or 10 minutes. Ask Our Lady to help provide you with small opportunities this week to spend time in the presence of Our Lord.
Challenge your friends and family to do the same on your favorite social media channel using hashtag #MOLentenChallenge. We’ll reshare your images and video. Spread the love this Lent!
“Little things done out of love are those that charm the Heart of Christ.”
– St. Therese of Lisieux
So I saw the hashtag, etc. of which I have no knowledge, but still, I want to take it seriously. You have put this so beautifully. It wasn’t until I came back to the church and started going to adoration that an old childhood trauma came to the surface in order to be healed. I didn’t realize it was that though, until years later upon reflection.
Blessings, and please remember me when you see Him.
Michelle says
Hi Michelle, nice name! Thanks for sharing your story, it’s amazing that through Adoration you were able to realize that trauma was still hurting you. God is truly good! Thank you for letting me know about that hashtag, I’ll have to check that out. I’ll send prayers for you to our Father today 🙂
Blessings,
Michelle
- Martha says
Bette , thank you for sharing this with me . I used to not understand adoration , but now I cherish those opportunitues . Thank you Michelle – I worried sometimes that I was the only crazy emotional lady who is often brought to tears when Im praying before HIM in adoration . Those tears are healing tears , in awe of his love and mercy for me . For my lent this year I have been taking the ignatious spiritual excerises class and each day we are asked to do a holy hour . Its been such a blessing , such a source of grace for me . thank you again michelle for an excellent blog post ! and I agree , to those who havent tried adoration- give it a try . God will be / is so generous in his blessings ❤️ – Martha
Michelle says
Thanks for reading it Martha! Those healing tears are so powerful… they are part of what made me KNOW Catholicism was the place for me. I am constantly overwhelmed by God and His presence in the mass and in adoration.
Jenny says
I read somewhere recently about praying for the gift of tears. I need to go find that and reread it.