Defining Adoration

Have you ever been prompted by the Holy Spirit while in private prayer, perhaps before the Blessed Sacrament, into deep adoration and, upon conscious attempt to respond to such prompting, been totally at a loss as to what to do? Realization of our own inadequacy leaves us without any recourse as to know where to begin. It is at these times that we may remember the words of St. Paul: "The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words" (Rom 8:26). Abandonment of our faculties for prayer to the movement of the Spirit may allow a glimpse of such workings of the Spirit in our souls. Sometimes, however, the abandonment itself can be so delicate a process - with distractions and futile attempts to silence our wandering minds for even a short while - that we may benefit from some sort of method for adoration.

The Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church defines adoration as: "The humble acknowledgment by humans that they are the creatures of the thrice-holy Creator" (552).

This definition may serve as a simple guide to follow in order for us to practice, with the Spirit's aide, adoration of God. Please find below verses of Scripture which would also serve as such guides for adoration.

1) "Know that the Lord is God! It is he that made us, and we are his." (Ps 100:3)

2) "Be still, and know that I am God." (Ps 46:10)

3) "Apart from me you can do nothing." (Jn 15:5)

4) "As therefore you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so live in him,    rooted and built up in him."  (Col 2:6-7)

A deep but simple meditation specific to adoration before the Blessed Sacrament:

5) "That's Jesus. Whoa."