A Word on Evangelization

1st Sunday of Advent, December 1, 2024

Deacon Mike Meyer

The Eucharist—the Real Presence of Christ—is not found in Protestant churches.

Jesus described himself as the bread of life, stating that whoever eats his flesh and drinks his blood will have life eternal (John 6:54). At the Last Supper he gave the apostles and their successors, the bishops (and through them, validly ordained priests), the power and authority to continue his sacrifice when he said, “Do this in memory of me” (Luke 22:19). The Catholic Church has been obeying Christ’s command for almost two thousand years, and whereas many Christian denominations see the Eucharist mainly in symbolic terms, the Church has consistently taught that it is truly the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ. Moreover, only Catholic and Eastern Rite Orthodox priests—because of their ordinations—have the sacramental power to consecrate the Eucharist. (Anglican or Episcopalian priests sometimes claim to possess this power, but Pope Leo XIII, after carefully examining this issue some one hundred years ago, concluded that the link of apostolic succession had not been preserved by the Church of England.)

Catholics are privileged to be able to receive the treasure beyond all price—Jesus himself—each time they attend Mass. We have to be careful in our self-serving, entertainment based culture to not approach our faith and our church experience expecting to be entertained.  We are called to follow Jesus’ example of service and go to Mass expecting to give of ourselves recognizing our brokenness and opening ourselves up to what Jesus offers us, His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity.  Catholic Mass does offer us inspirational music, beautiful rituals, the proclamation of God’s word in the scriptures, and inspiring homilies from the clergy.  However, all of these do not compare to the source and summit of our faith, the Eucharist. May we this Sunday and every Sunday, and every time we have the opportunity to attend Mass, give of ourselves totally to Jesus and completely surrender our hearts, minds, and souls as we humbly receive Jesus Christ, Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity in the Sacrament of the Eucharist.