Page 20 - LOTN Advent issue 57

EDUCATION AND FORMATION

Adoration

Adoration:

a moment

of peace

that defies explanation. In this enlightened moment, I come
BY ANH TUAN NGUYEN to understand that true peace is not an abstract concept, but
A sacrament of the Eucharist, I am afforded the opportunity to
rather the Person of Jesus Himself. He is Peace, and through the
psalmist once proclaimed: “A day in the house of
the Lord is better than a thousand elsewhere”
encounter, experience, and be enveloped in His peace.
(Psalm 84,10). It is with profound gratitude that
Before the blessed presence of the Lord in the Eucharist, I
I kneel before the Lord each morning in the
chapel at St Mary’s College, Oscott, during the Holy Hour contemplate Jesus through the mystery of His Resurrection.
My heart brims with gratitude for His triumph over death,
of Adoration. This sacred time allows me to offer thanks to ushering in an era of peace for all humanity. Following His
God for the gift of peaceful sleep and to beseech His peace resurrection, Jesus imparted His peace upon His faithful
for the new day ahead. In the presence of the Lord, revealed disciples, commissioning them to carry forth His message of
through the Sacrament of the Eucharist, I am enveloped in peace to the ends of the earth (John 20, 21). Through the peace
a profound sense of tranquillity. As I contemplate the Body of Jesus - the Holy Spirit - His disciples, once timid and frail,
of Christ exposed on the altar, I am led to ponder the true were transformed into bold witnesses, steadfast in proclaiming
essence of peace. the Gospel of Peace to all. Reflecting upon the power of peace,
Before the blessed presence of the Lord in the Eucharist, I I realise that it is an invincible force that enables humanity to
contemplate Jesus through the mystery of the Incarnation. My overcome all trials and challenges of life.
heart overflows with gratitude for His divine condescension, I acknowledge that true peace is not easily attained here and
for through Him, God assumed human flesh, bringing eternity now. While worldly comforts may provide temporary solace,
into the realm of time and uniting the divine nature with the peace bestowed by Jesus exceeds all understanding. It is a
humanity. It is through Jesus, the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9, 6), peace characterised by forgiveness and outward-directed love,
that the glory of God in heaven and peace on earth for humanity empowering me to navigate life’s tumultuous waters with
are intricately intertwined. Reflecting on this, I realise the unwavering faith and hope. I am convinced that it is only
surpassing importance of peace, transcending all other worldly through Jesus’ peace that I can transcend suffering, loss, and
concerns such as health, wealth, and talent. Without peace, misunderstanding, emerging victorious in the face of adversity.
these treasures seem empty and devoid of true meaning. Before And yet, in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament each
the blessed presence of the Lord in the Eucharist, I contemplate morning, I am able to attain the peace that only Jesus can give.
Jesus through the mystery of His Passion. My heart is filled For I firmly believe that the Holy Eucharist is the spiritual
with gratitude for His selfless sacrifice, enduring suffering and nourishment that sustains my soul and imparts peace as
death to bestow upon us the gift of peace. Prior to His Passion, promised by Jesus Himself: “I am the living bread that came
Jesus bequeathed His peace to His disciples, a peace unlike any down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever”
offered by the world (John 14, 27). This promise was fulfilled (John 6, 51). Here, spending time with Jesus, the Source of
through the institution of the Eucharist during the Last Supper, Life, I not only partake of this Holy Communion but also bask
wherein Jesus gave Himself entirely so that humanity may in the abundance of His peace, enabling me to live and live to
experience life in abundance. God, the sovereign ruler of heaven the full.
and earth, willingly suffered and died out of boundless love for
humanity. Even now, He remains present as a humble piece of Anh Tuan Nguyen is a seminarian at St Mary’s College, Oscott
bread upon the altar. As I contemplate the Body of Christ, I am for the Diocese of Aberdeen, and this article was originally
filled with strength and renewed vigour, experiencing a peace published in the "Oscotian".

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