Rekindling Our Faith: Growing in Devotion to the Eucharist
When it comes to our faith journey, we go through different stages of spiritual development. What may have once fascinated us can, over time, lose its spark. This can happen in many aspects of our spiritual life, including our relationship with the Eucharist. At times, we may find ourselves deeply moved by the mystery of the Eucharist, while at other times, we may struggle to feel its significance in our daily lives. This ebb and flow of devotion is natural, but it is important to recognize these moments and seek ways to rekindle our love for the Eucharist.
A Life-Changing Encounter with the Eucharist
Personally, I had a conversion experience around the Eucharist when I was a Sophomore in High School. The year was 2013 and I was attending a youth conference (the National Catholic Youth Conference, or NCYC) in Indianapolis, Indiana. Wandering around and exploring all the facets of conferences, as one does, I found myself walking down a large corridor. In front of me stood a somewhat thick, black curtain and I could hear music coming from behind this dark piece of fabric. Being curious about what was going on, I decided to open the curtain and venture inside.
Witnessing True Reverence for the Eucharist
What I saw on the other side of this curtain was truly amazing, I witnessed what looked to be about 50 high school students kneeling down on metal bleachers, adoring Our Lord as praise and worship music played (and the guitarist was kneeling in adoration as well). This was the first time that I had ever seen such a display of reverence and love from people of my own age.
Unfortunately when I was growing up, very few of my friends who grew up Catholic actually managed to stay Catholic through high school. This was not the case here, and it was absolutely beautiful that it brought tears to my eyes and I was convinced that Jesus is truly present under the appearances of bread and wine, the meaning behind Jesus’ Real Presence was not merely symbolic, but rather a tangible reality beyond anything I could have imagined.
Over the years my newfound enthusiasm comes and goes as with anything else. When I find myself stuck in a spiritual rut, I find it helpful to look at the Eucharist from a variety of angles and perspectives (nothing heterodox of course). For example, thinking of the fact that the God of the Universe actually wants to take time to spend time with me, or anyone else for that matter, and for no other reason than that He loves me and is concerned even with the seemingly insignificant things that we all experience.
Keeping the Fire of Faith Alive
That experience at NCYC ignited a deep enthusiasm for the Eucharist in my heart. However, as with any profound spiritual encounter, the initial intensity of that moment began to fade over time. I found myself, like many others, facing periods of spiritual dryness where my passion for the Eucharist was not as strong as before.
When I find myself in these spiritual ruts, I have learned that it helps to look at the Eucharist from different perspectives—always in accordance with Church teaching. Sometimes, simply meditating on the reality that the God of the Universe desires to be with me in the Eucharist, not because of anything I have done, but simply because He loves me, is enough to reignite my devotion.
Reflecting on how Jesus makes Himself present in the Eucharist out of sheer love and mercy reminds me that God cares about even the smallest aspects of our lives. He is not distant or indifferent; He is intimately involved in our joys, struggles, and everyday moments. This awareness helps me approach the Eucharist with a renewed sense of gratitude and awe.
Faith: A Gift That Must Be Received
Before anyone can become more intrigued by Jesus in the Eucharist, they must first have faith. But where does this faith come from? It is not something we can manufacture through sheer willpower or effort—it is, first and foremost, a gift from God. We cannot believe in Christ’s Real Presence unless God first grants us the grace to believe.
Yet, faith is not a static thing. It can be strengthened or weakened. There are times when faith feels vibrant, and other times when it seems to wane. In those moments, we must ask God to increase our faith. Jesus Himself tells us, “Ask, and it will be given to you” (Matthew 7:7). Just as the apostles pleaded, “Lord, increase our faith!” (Luke 17:5), so too must we humbly request a greater belief in Christ’s Real Presence in the Eucharist.
When will this newfound fascination with the Eucharist come? That, I cannot say. But one thing is certain—if you sincerely ask God for an increase in faith, He will give it to you, most likely at a time when you least expect it. Faith is a gift, and it comes in God’s time, not ours.
Living a Eucharistic Life
Understanding the beauty and reality of the Eucharist should not be confined to moments of spiritual highs. It should permeate our entire lives. Living a Eucharistic life means allowing the grace of the Sacrament to transform our daily actions, thoughts, and relationships.
The Eucharist is often referred to as the source and summit of the Christian life because it is where we receive the very life of God. If we truly believe in Christ’s Real Presence, we should strive to live in a way that reflects that belief. This means approaching every Mass with reverence, preparing our hearts through prayer and Confession, and striving to carry Christ’s love into the world.
One of the greatest ways we can honor the Eucharist is by loving others as Christ loves us. The same Jesus who gives Himself to us in the Eucharist is the one who calls us to serve the poor, comfort the sorrowful, and share His message with the world. If we receive Him in Communion but fail to reflect His love outside of Mass, we are missing the full impact of this sacrament.
By regularly attending Mass, deepening our prayer life, and making frequent visits to the Blessed Sacrament, we can keep our faith in the Eucharist alive. Our devotion may ebb and flow, but Jesus remains constant, always waiting for us with open arms.
So, when we feel distant, when we struggle to believe, when the mystery of the Eucharist feels overwhelming—let us turn to God and ask for the gift of renewed faith. And let us trust that, in His perfect time, He will grant it.
The article was written by: Br. Athanasius Mary of the Knights of the Holy Eucharist
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