In the heart of the Catholic faith lies a profound devotion to Jesus in the Eucharist. Through the Eucharist we encounter the living Christ, present in the Sacrifice of the Mass, in the Tabernacle, and in the Blessed Sacrament at Adoration. In this article, we will explore the reality of the Real Presence and how embracing that reality impacts our devotion to Jesus and our response to His call to a loving union with Him.
The Real Presence at Mass
Our devotion to the Eucharist begins with understanding its central role in the Sacrifice of the Mass. During the Mass, the bread and wine are transformed, through the Consecration, into the body and blood of Christ. In this sacramental moment, the sacrifice of Christ on the cross is made present and offered anew to God the Father.
Saint Ambrose wrote,
“How is the change of bread into the Body of Christ brought about? It is by means of the Consecration. With what words is the Consecration accomplished? With the words of Jesus. When the moment arrives for working this sacred wonder, the priest ceases himself to speak; he speaks in the person of Jesus.”
As Catholics, we participate in this eternal sacrifice, joining our prayers, joys, and sufferings with Christ during the Offertory, the Consecration, and Communion. Devotion to the Eucharist in the context of the Mass involves recognizing and responding to the immense love of Christ and His sacrifice for our salvation and ongoing sanctification. Indeed, it is love that brings Him down from heaven and keeps Him here, living among us to nourish and strengthen us in the Eucharist.
The Real Presence in Adoration
Moreover, the adoration of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament is another essential aspect of our devotion to Jesus in the Eucharist. When the consecrated host is exposed for adoration, we have the opportunity to be in the direct presence of Christ. Just as the disciples encountered Jesus physically during His earthly ministry, we too can encounter Him in the Blessed Sacrament. Saint Peter Julian Eymard, referring to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament exclaimed, “There Jesus is! Therefore, all of us should go visit Him!”
And Saint Alphonsus Liguori says, “The sovereigns of the earth do not always grant audience readily; on the contrary, the King of Heaven, hidden under the eucharistic veils, is ready to receive anyone. . . .”
Adoration allows for a personal and intimate encounter with Christ, allowing us to pour out our hearts, offer our gratitude, seek guidance, and find solace in His presence. It is a time to deepen our relationship with Christ and to experience His profound love for each one of us.
In our technological and often frenetic world, it can be difficult to make room for intimate one-on-one encounters that allow us to express and receive love. These encounters build relationship, but they take time and attention. And there is no encounter more important than that with our Creator.
As we kneel before Christ in the Blessed Sacrament, we have the opportunity for our minds and hearts to become quiet in union with Him. We can receive His gift of peace through the silent love of the Eucharist. This silence in the presence of Jesus is a profound source of healing and re-orients us to what is truly valuable and worthy of our time. In His silence, He speaks heart to heart. It is a language of the soul, only understood by spending time in His presence.
This personal connection with Our Lord radiates outward, through us to the world. We start with spending time with God, and then He directs us to be attentive and spend time with those around us. As we learn to sit with God, we can then sit with others who need to be seen, heard, and loved. This is a gift of grace that we receive in the peaceful, quiet moments of Adoration. In the Blessed Sacrament, “there is a treasury of graces for others.” – John A. Hardon, S.J.
The Meaning of The Real Presence in Union with Christ
The reality of the Real Presence is a cornerstone of our devotion to the Eucharist. In the Eucharist, we believe with certitude that Jesus is truly present – body, blood, soul, and divinity. It is not a symbol or a metaphor but a profound mystery of faith. Just as Jesus walked in Galilee, performed miracles of healing, and offered Himself on the cross, He is truly present in the consecrated bread and wine. This understanding should fill us with awe and reverence, for we are communing with the same Jesus who performed miracles during His earthly ministry.
And He wants to continue His work through us. When we understand that it is Christ, God made flesh, who nourishes us with His very body, blood, soul, and divinity, we are no longer complacent or afraid to do His will. No matter if He asks of us something that seems beyond our ability, with Jesus living in us, Saint Paul tells us, “[we] can do all things. . . “ It is Christ Himself Who strengthens us.
Blessed Louise Margaret Claret de la Touche was called by God to form the hearts of priests. She saw this as a daunting task for a woman religious. However, when she received Holy Communion, she said, “What need I fear? He Who sustains the world is within me. The blood of a God circulates within my veins. Have no fear, O my soul. The Lord of the universe has taken you into His arms and desires you to find rest in Him.”
Conclusion
Embracing the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist fosters a desire to participate in all the Eucharistic devotions. When we receive Jesus in Communion at Mass, spend prayerful time in His presence at Adoration, participate in Benediction, and attend Eucharistic processions, we testify to the truth of Christ’s Real Presence with us and grow in our understanding and experience of the transformative power in the Eucharist.
This knowledge of the Real Presence of the Savior of history, now gloriously reigning in heaven with the Trinity and also lovingly present with us on the altar, fosters a strong, unwavering faith and a profound union with the God Who is with us. Let us, as Catholics, embrace Jesus in the Eucharist and bring about the transformation we want to see in ourselves and in the world.
