This Eucharistic Prayer Companion is designed to help you spend thirty minutes to an hour in meditation and silent prayer with Jesus during Eucharistic adoration. Even if you cannot be physically present in a church or adoration chapel with the Blessed Sacrament, you can unite yourself spiritually to Jesus in the Eucharist as you spend this time in prayer. During the Easter Season, we are offering reflections rooted in the tradition of mystagogy. This is an ancient form of liturgical catechesis that invites us to go deeper into the sacred mysteries we experience at Mass and in the sacraments. Each week you’ll be invited to reflect on a rite or part of the Mass and an excerpt from the Sunday Gospel.
THE GRACE I SEEK: To believe that Jesus fulfills my deepest longing for love.
IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. AMEN.
Jesus, the Lord of Life, has given himself to you in the Eucharist. He is gazing upon you, his beloved child, with great love at this very moment. Pause for a few moments and allow yourself to rest in his loving gaze. Thank Jesus for the gift of himself in the Eucharist.
ASK FOR THE GRACE: Jesus, help me to believe that you satisfy my deepest desire for love.
Read slowly, allowing your senses to help you enter into this moment of the Mass. Let the Holy Spirit fill your heart with his divine grace, that the hidden mystery from this moment in our memorial of Christ’s sacrifice may be revealed more abundantly to you.
The priest’s attention is upon the fragments of bread and drops of wine contained in the sacred vessels. Your eyes move, tracking his actions as he carefully lifts the tiny host with his hands. “Take this, all of you, and eat of it, for this is my Body, which will be given up for you.” You silently adore Jesus as the Host is lifted high by the priest. A silent pause … a gentle laying down of the sacred Victim … your head bows. Moments later, these words echo in your ears: “Take this, all of you, and drink from it, for this is the chalice of my Blood, the Blood of the new and eternal covenant, which will be poured out for you and for many, for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in memory of me.” The candles upon the altar reflect off the golden chalice as it is lifted toward Heaven, and you silently speak from your heart, “Jesus, I love you.” Soon, you who are nourished by the Body and Blood of the Son, and filled with his Holy Spirit, will be made one body, one spirit in Christ.
Allow yourself to reflect for a while, being attentive to how the Lord is speaking in your heart.
How is Jesus revealing the fullness of his love for you at the moment of consecration? What is it like to hear the words, “This is my Body, which will be given up for you”? What stirs in your heart when you reflect on the words, “This is the chalice of my Blood, the Blood of the new and eternal covenant, which will be poured out for you”?
Read slowly, 3–4 times. Allow the words of Scripture to wash over your mind and heart. Let the Holy Spirit speak to you through this passage.
“In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be.” (John 14:2–3)
Allow yourself to reflect for a while, being attentive to how the Lord is speaking in your heart.
Jesus assures you that, like a true lover, he has prepared a dwelling for you to share with him. How is this a game-changer in your relationship with Jesus? How does his passion for you, revealed in the Sacred Scriptures and re-presented in the Blessed Sacrament, enliven your heart? Right now, make an offering of your whole life with confidence to Jesus, sharing in the heartfelt words of St. Paul, “Jesus is Lord!”
Remain in silence with the Lord. Allow him to speak in the silence, in your heart. Receive his presence. If it helps, write down what you sense the Lord communicating to you during this time of prayer.
Almighty, ever-living God, constantly accomplish the Paschal Mystery within us, that those you were pleased to make new in Holy Baptism may, under your protective care, bear much fruit and come to the joys of life eternal. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect, Fifth Sunday of Easter)
At every Mass, Jesus offers himself to the Father for us. We can always join our own offerings with Jesus at Mass. This Sunday, offer your desire to be completely united to Jesus, Lord and Lover of your soul.
Would you like to print a copy of this resource to bring with you to the chapel for prayer? Click here to download the Eucharistic Meditations for the Easter Season in English or Spanish.
