Can you remember a time you wished would never end? Most of us have such thoughts periodically during our lives whether they concern an era such as schooldays or something more specific like Christmas Day or a romantic meal. If only it could last forever! Experiences of God rarely seem to last for long. There are times when God feels very close and other times when we struggle to know that he is there, wondering why he doesn’t make it all a bit more obvious. When God does make himself known though the experience can be awesome.

God is there for us in the Eucharist and through it he reveals himself to us. As the great doxology is said or sung at the end of the Eucharistic Prayer, the consecrated elements are raised up and Jesus is made visible to his people in his sacramental presence. God has wrought a miracle before us, an extension of the greatest miracle of all, that of the Word made flesh. This revelation leads up to the great ‘Amen’ at the end of the prayer which, like the Sanctus is shared with all the armies of the heavenly host. If only that moment could last forever!

On a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham the pilgrims are able to share in a service of Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction. In this rite the Blessed Sacrament is brought from the tabernacle to the altar in the Shrine Church so that pilgrims can be still in the presence of the Lord, worshipping in humility and with reverence and awe.

Exposition and Benediction are a gift from God to his people which perpetuates the joy of Jesus’ presence at the Eucharist and heightens the awareness of his presence amongst his people. Many Christians find that devotion to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament brings them closer to God and strengthens them for their ministry and witness in the world. In this gift God blesses his people and although Exposition can take place without Benediction the final act of blessing is a solemn sign of all that God means to us and does for us. Through the rite of Exposition and Benediction God’s glory is revealed and his name is praised in earth and in highest heaven. Such praise will last through all eternity.

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. (Revelation of St. John the Divine 21:3)

Image by Jacob Bentzinger on Unsplash

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