Finding God and Serving Others

Overcoming Loneliness Through the Love of Christ

God knows that we have all experienced some aspect of feeling lonely or unloved throughout the course of our lives. Some of this may come from negative experiences we’ve had in the past or from things that we’ve come to believe about ourselves. Feelings of isolation can weigh heavily on the heart, leading us to question our worth and purpose. However, one of the best pieces of advice that I can give to those who are currently going through a bout of loneliness or depression is this: God always gives us a way out of our most troubling circumstances in life. He does not abandon us in our suffering but offers His presence as a source of strength and healing.

Finding Peace in Eucharistic Adoration

Eucharistic Adoration can be a great tool to combat our mental struggles and provide comfort when we feel lost. Spending time with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament allows us to rest in His presence, bringing our worries and burdens to Him. As a precaution, if you are dealing with mental illness, it is always wise to seek help from a licensed professional. God desires our healing, and sometimes that healing comes through both spiritual and medical means.

Adoration can work alongside natural remedies to help us navigate life’s challenges. Jesus, present in the Eucharist, longs to bring peace to our troubled hearts. However, for those not used to spending time in silence, Adoration may initially feel uncomfortable or even intimidating. The world we live in is filled with noise, whether it be from technology, daily responsibilities, or spiritual unrest. Taking the time to sit in stillness with Jesus allows us to hear His voice more clearly and to rest in His love.

Bringing Our Worries to Jesus

Even though the world is filled with distractions, Jesus wants to provide us with an opportunity to rest apart from the chaos. Holy hours, when used properly, can be a place of refuge, a space where we can tell Jesus about our problems and let Him work through our struggles. Jesus desires a personal connection with each of us. He is not a distant figure but rather a loving friend and Savior who wants us to come to Him when we feel downcast and unloved. After all, He is the lover of our souls, and all He asks is that we reach out to Him in our time of need.

Overcoming the Struggle to Reach Out to God

There are times when it can be difficult to reach out to Jesus, and I understand that struggle. This also happens in our earthly friendships—there are moments when we don’t feel like talking, even with those we love. Even when we have the best of friends, Jesus, who only wants what is good for us, we still find ways to remain distant. This is a result of our fallen nature.

In these moments, we must remind ourselves that Jesus only desires our good, and because of this, we should turn to Him when we are able. Sometimes, it seems impossible to do so, and we may believe we can handle our problems on our own. But the truth is, we were not created to bear our burdens alone. The simple act of acknowledging Jesus in our struggles and whispering a short prayer can be enough to re-establish that connection with Him.

The Importance of Community and Service

God designed the human race to be social, we are social creatures. We strive for connection, friendship, and intimacy with those around us. This realization can come to us slowly and over time. God placed other people in our lives because we need both God and other people in order to function. Being of service to others is one key component that God has placed within the human heart in order for individuals and communities to thrive. Jesus gives us this example in the gospels. He is focused on serving others and not His own interests.

The Eucharist has the capacity to be seen as a total act of self-gift. Jesus gives Himself completely to the communicant and is received completely by the recipient. Our Lord also wants our lives to be lived in the same way, we are supposed to be a gift to those around us; not because of anything that we’ve done, but God working through us. The goal of the Christian should be to act as a conduit of grace to the point where the graces that God wants to give can easily flow through our lives and be given to others, this process begins with receiving the Eucharist and being thankful for the greatest gift that God can give, namely, Himself.

The article was written by: Br. Athanasius Mary of the Knights of the Holy Eucharist