Christ Made Known in the Eucharist

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I was born and raised Catholic. My mom was heavily involved in our quaint West Virginia church, which meant my dad, siblings, and I were also heavily involved. I was an altar server for many years, went through Religious Ed until receiving Confirmation, and I even had a part time job as the parish music liturgist and cleaning staff. 

Surprisingly enough I didn’t find my personal relationship with Christ in my Catholic faith, but rather I found Him through the Methodist youth group I attended. I was even invited to attend a national Methodist youth conference where to this day I remember the one agenda item that stood out to me the most: they wanted to increase the number of times communion was offered at a service to once a month. 

First off, it was amazing to see so many young people desiring to receive communion. But I was still shocked. They were missing out on a huge opportunity! I could receive communion any time I attended Mass, and here were my peers, desiring to receive Him more than once on occasion. What I didn’t realize at the time was we were talking about two completely different things, even if my mind perceived them as one in the same. Sadly they had no idea what they were missing out on—along with all of our Protestant brothers and sisters—but little did I know that I too was missing out on the exact thing I took for granted.

It wasn't until I got involved at my college Newman Center that I discovered I had been falling ever slightly so short: Christ's very true and very real presence found in the Eucharist, body and blood, soul and divinity. You might be wondering how on earth I missed this important teaching when it was told to me over and over, but to be honest I knew there was something special about the Eucharist we celebrated at Mass, I just could never wrap my mind around it. Yes, I was told Jesus was fully present in the Sacrament, but something just didn't click for me until I actually spent time in adoration searching for our Lord, or attended Mass beyond my obligations. I had the Sacraments and tradition of the Church. I had the love of Jesus in my heart. I just needed to FIND Him.

Ever since 2013 I've been reignited with a deep faith that has been a crucial part of my life, and now I know why. I know that the God of the Universe, the One who made Heaven and Earth, has made Himself available to us in the humble form of bread and wine. Why? Because He DESIRES to be found. He desires us to understand that we can have the fullest of this world by making Him our priority in life, and that He is readily available for us in a way we can receive His love.

Next week I'll be attending the Eucharistic Revival Conference with tens of thousands of other Catholics from around the country, and I am so excited to be there! I ask for your prayers as we dive deep into the heart of our Lord through His Blessed presence in the Eucharist, partake in daily Mass and adoration, and hear from countless speakers how Christ has touched their lives, igniting their faith through His True Presence.

God bless, and may Christ lead you home through his very presence in the Eucharist.

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this IS my body." Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This IS my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom." Matthew 26:26-29

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