When we think of the word “adoration,” we think of a high form of love, perhaps the highest. Theologically, we equate adoration with latria, the worship and love due to God alone. In the vernacular, to say “I adore you” is to indicate an intense and elevated form of love.
Liturgically, adoration of the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament indicates a period during which one enters into the experience of loving God and gazing upon Him in that love. The Lord, too, extends a gaze of love to us. This is beautifully stated in the Song of Songs: Behold, he is standing behind our wall, He is looking through the window, peering through the lattice (Song 2:9).
In these examples there is an intense yet resting love expressed, a love that is tender and deep, quiet and fixed.
However, the greatest act of adoration the world has ever known exhibited little of this quietude or restfulness. Indeed, one might call it quite stormy; though intense, it was certainly not restful. You might not consider it adoration at all, but consider this reflection by Fr. Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange, O.P.:
Adoration of infinite value was offered to God by Christ in Gethsemane when he prostrated himself saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this chalice pass from me. Nevertheless, not as I will, but as though wilt.” Christ’s adoration of the Father recognized in a practical and profound manner the sovereign excellence of God … The Savior’s adoration continued on the cross (The Three Ages of the Interior Life, Vol 2, p. 251).
At the root of this most perfect act of adoration was obedience. Not only did Jesus love God, but he wanted only what His Father wanted. True adoration of God includes both a loving acknowledgment of His excellence and a submission of our will to His in loving obedience. Out of love we offer our whole life to God.
Thus, adoration is more than mere feeling, no matter how intense. It is sacrifice; it is the willing offering of one’s very self as an act of love to God, who has so loved us. No greater love is there than to lay down one’s life for God and for those we love in Him.
Is obedience and sacrifice what you and I mean when we say that we are going to Eucharistic adoration or when we say that we adore God? The most perfect act of adoration was love expressed as obedience and sacrifice.
Cross-posted at the Catholic Standard: Adoration 2.0 – A Unique Insight from a Spiritual Master
Very good, thank you, now here is what the Lord told me:
Our sacrifice should be an offering up to God of everything so that our obedience is a listening to God in all things, and by this I mean the Word Incarnate resounding in our souls, His Spirit, the Advocate. To me, for this, the highest adoration is a spirit of gratitude.
Gratitude, because every time I suffered what He suffered, He kept raising me up, and this gives me greater appreciation and love for the Master. Gratitude that I know His Voice. Gratitude that I can know by the Spirit, despite the media, that the Holy Father recently said ‘don’t let duty obscure the gift’. Remember that we receive as we’re disposed to. Think of all the Lord has done for you, and be grateful.
If I may share: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kx2PgEj3B-g
This and every article you write and share are profound and real food for meditation, and for prayer. Thank you, Msgr. Pope. You and all the writers help others to really think hard and to weigh the words you write , listening to God speak to us through them. Thank YOU again and God bless you. We are better for it.