The Blessed Sacrament and prayer

Christ's love for us in the Blessed Sacrament is beyond comprehension. He chooses to remain with us for adoration in the Blessed Sacrament because of our great need for Him. Christ desires and intimate relationship with each one of us. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is what keeps us grounded in that relationship. This is especially true for priests. Adoration of our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament keeps us focused on our duties. It also comforts us in our struggles and sorrows, and gives us the courage and strength to continue in our ministry.

Pope Benedict XVI recently wrote:

"Be models of prayer, become masters of prayer. May your days be marked by times of prayer, during which, after Jesus' example, you engage in a regenerating conversation with the Father. I know it is not easy to stay faithful to this daily appointment with the Lord, especially today when the pace of life is frenetic and worries absorb us more and more. Yet we must convince ourselves the time he spends in prayer is the most important time in a priest's life, in which divine grace acts with greater effectiveness, making his ministry fruitful...time for prayer must be given a true priority in our life."

Prayer is in fact the most important thing I "do" as a priest each and every day. Exposing the Blessed Sacrament and spending significant time with our Lord is simply a necessity in my daily routine. Without first being present to our Lord, how would I be able to do any good whatsoever to anybody seeking the ministry of a priest?

On this feast of Corpus Christi we have the wonderful opportunity to show our love for our Lord by carrying Him in procession in public. This is also a great opportunity to bring Christ to the world as we bear witness to our firm belief in the true presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament.

Sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Jeffery Fasching