Beautiful Eucharist: The Heart of Our Catholic Faith
If you didn’t receive your free copy of Matthew Kelly’s Beautiful Eucharist and wish to join the parish-wide reading of the book, see Kathy or Judy in the parish office. There may still be a few extra copies.
Here is a paragraph from Bishop Andrew Cozzens’ “Right Here, Right Now, No Other Place I’d Rather Be” chapter of our Beautiful Eucharist book:
It’s important to understand the heart of our Catholic teaching, which is simple, even though it’s mysterious. And the simple truth is this: the substance of the bread and wine changes completely through the words of consecration, such that there’s no more bread and wine there. It appears like bread and wine. It has all the properties of bread and wine, but there’s no more bread and wine there. What is there? Jesus.
Bishop Cozzens then relates the story of a young man he witnessed at a conference who was resistant at first to go to Adoration but after going, “all of a sudden, all of his defenses went down” when he experienced Jesus really present in the Eucharist. His life was changed forever. Bishop Cozzens says it’s important that we hand on the teaching of the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist because when someone experiences the Real Presence, it helps them to understand what it means to be a disciple.
Do you think it’s important to teach others of the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist? Why?
How should we orient our lives if Jesus is really the Lord and present with us right now in the Eucharist?
If you’ve spent time with Jesus in the Eucharistic Chapel or in Adoration, how has that changed you?
Share your thoughts and see how others are responding in the "Comments" section below.
In the peace of the Real Presence of our Lord,
Bob
Comments
Cathy KenderPosted on 2/27/24
It is important to share our awareness of the real presence of our Lord in the Eucharist, the greatest of our gifts, His presence with us to adore and feed our souls! However, timing is important and, as Jim recognized, help from the Holy Spirit.
If we truly believe in His presence, then our lives should witness to Him, mirror what He would do, be guided by His love. We should bring Him along with us throughout our day.
Being in the Chapel in adoration of our Lord is an awesome experience. You can be totally exhausted, beaten down, joyful, in need of help for yourself, friends, or family, a myriad of situations. Then you lay it all out before Jesus. Somehow, you walk out of there more whole, strengthened, and oh, so in love with God our Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit!
Steven HumbletPosted on 2/18/24
It has been interesting to me this line of questions have been coming at me more often, and not from those I'm very close to. Family and friends, as Jim states is the easy share. These "outside my network" people are much more dificult to provide an answer to. And the ever present fear I'll say the wrong thing. So I need to work on my elevator speach, the long version in my heart would further confuse people.
Jim MartinPosted on 2/17/24
If someone asked me a direct question on the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist I would answer it and could share reasons for my belief. And, perhaps with encouragement from the Holy Spirit, could share this with a family member or close friend without a hesitation. The more difficult sharing comes when in the presence of others that are not relatives or close friends.