We look more closely today at the link between adoration and the fruitful reception of Holy Communion. This link is strong and true due to the fact that Celebration of the Mass and adoration of the Eucharist are bonded together and mutually compliment each other. We can say that adoration develops in us a longing and hunger to be in union with Christ through Holy Communion. We can also say that, after worthily receiving Holy Communion, a desire is born in us to remain with Christ and to have His presence to continue to shine in our hearts.

Pope Benedict XVI has spoken about this link on a number of occasions in 2006. In an address to the clergy of the Diocese of Rome he said, “The conciliar Constitution on the Liturgy enabled us to discover to the full the riches of the Eucharist in which the Lord's testament is accomplished: he gives himself to us and we respond by giving ourselves to him. We have now rediscovered, however, that without adoration as an act consequent to Communion received, this center which the Lord gave to us — that is, the possibility of celebrating his sacrifice and thus of entering into a sacramental, almost corporeal, communion with him — loses its depth as well as its human richness. Adoration means entering the depths of our hearts in communion with the Lord, who makes himself bodily present in the Eucharist. In the monstrance, he always entrusts himself to us and asks us to be united with his Presence, with his risen Body.” (March 2, 2006)

In an address to the Canadian bishops the Pope said, “The worship of the Eucharist outside of the Mass, but strictly linked to the celebration, is also of great value for the life of the Church, for it aspires to sacramental and spiritual communion. As John Paul II wrote, ‘If in our time Christians must be distinguished above all by the ‘art of prayer,’ how can we not feel a renewed need to spend time in spiritual converse, in silent adoration, in heartfelt love before Christ present in the Most Holy Sacrament?’ (Ecclesia de Eucharistia, no. 25). From this experience we cannot but receive strength, comfort and support.” (May 11, 2006) Next week we will continue to reflect on this beautiful and true link between heartfelt adoration and fruitful reception of Holy Communion.