Going Through Life with the Eucharist

When it comes to our faith journey we go through different stages of development. What may have fascinated us no longer has the same spark. This can very easily be our relationship around the Eucharist itself.

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.

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.

Before anyone can become more intrigued by Jesus in the Eucharist, they must have faith first. Where does this gift of faith come from? It is not something that will come through our own effort or simply willing it into existence, it is first and foremost a gift from God Himself. We must first receive the gift of faith, and then when this newfound faith is reduced we need to ask God for an increase in faith.

When this newfound fascination with the Eucharist will come, I am not able to say, ask God for an increase of faith in the Eucharist and He will inevitably give that gift to you most likely at a time when you least expect it. The gift will come, and it will come in God’s time and not ours.

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