By Brian Cook
One of the most comforting things to me as I studied Catholicism was learning which beliefs and practices were required, and which were not. All “public revelation” (the teachings and practices of Christ and His Apostles) are mandatory of course, but “private revelation” (Marian apparitions like in Fatima, or Eucharistic miracles like the face of Jesus appearing and staying on the Host – see below) are not. Once I could separate all the “weird Catholic stuff” into the “not required” category, Conversion became inevitable because all Catholic Dogmas are incredibly biblical and make perfect sense. Also, since Conversion, continued study has illuminated all the “weird Catholic stuff” making many of the private devotions desirable because they serve to build faith in Christ and His Church (an example would be the Holy Rosary).
But, in my experience, there was one practice that stood as the gateway between the “normal” and “weird” Catholic stuff, the practice of adoring Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. Adoration is separate from a Mass. It is a time set aside to come into the Church and kneel before the Consecrated Host, Jesus in the form of Bread. The Holy Eucharist is exposed within a gorgeous monstrance and displayed upon the altar allowing the faithful to kneel, prostrate themselves, pray, and “adore” (look upon) Jesus Christ. It lasts for several hours, and you are free to come and go as you please. It is a gift from the Church since you can physically spend time with Christ present in the sanctuary. HE is in the room, and we behave accordingly. As a Convert, the Mass made perfect sense biblically. Adoration is also a biblically consistent practice that naturally flows out of the Faith of the Church. But it was very new to me and felt strange at first while my heart was catching up with my head, and vice versa.
That was until I read the book “Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist” by Brant Pitre. This book is, hands down, one of the greatest Bible Studies in the world.
Dr. Pitre, among many examples, highlighted something that really “clicked” with me. In the Old Testament, in the Tabernacle and later the Temple, one of the three items in the Holy Place was the golden table of the Bread of The Presence (Exodus 25:23-30) upon which was placed the “Showbread”. The word “showbread” literally translates as THE BREAD OF THE FACE because it “shows” us the Face of God (allowing them to “see the Face of God and live” – compare Exodus 33:20 and Exodus 24:9-11). On this table was bread and wine reflecting the time of Abraham (Melchizedek Genesis 14:18), that continued in the Temple till the sacrifice of Jesus Who gave us Himself (Hebrews 7:17) in the form of Bread and Wine (Luke 22:19-20).
But the part that melted my heart was this ancient tradition: at the three Jewish feasts of Passover, Weeks and Tabernacles, the priests would bring the golden table from the Holy Place, elevate the bread so the crowd could see it and say, “Behold God’s love for you!”. This practice still thrives within the Catholic practice of Adoration as we get to see the face of the One Who so loves us (John 3:16 and Romans 5:8). This beautiful Tradition reflects perfectly the core belief of everything the Church teaches.
Recently, after a 10-year investigation, the Vatican confirmed a Eucharistic miracle in Kerala, India – the appearance of Christ’s face on a Consecrated Host (something I used to put in the “weird” column). But now it makes sense that occasionally God would bring forth the image of His Face on what has become the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of His Son. This gracious kindness of His builds the fragile faith of doubters of His Real Prescence in the Eucharist, just like the Road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35). And for over 2,000 years, seamlessly transitioned from Abraham to Moses to Today, Jesus has made Himself present to us. And the call still rings out, as the Host is elevated for Adoration, the Spirit and the Bride say, “Behold God’s love for you!”
Brian Cook may be contacted at thedtc@protonmail.com or thedevotiontochrist@gmail.com.
