Nourishment for the Journey

I’m currently reading a book called, Heart of the Christian Life: Thoughts on Holy Mass, by Pope Benedict XVI.  The book has been filled with countless pieces of wisdom and many statements to reflect on.  One passage towards the beginning of the book that jumped out as I was reading is, “The Sunday precept is not, therefore, an externally imposed duty, a burden on our shoulders.  On the contrary, taking part in the Celebration, being nourished by the Eucharistic Bread and experiencing the communion of their brothers and sisters in Christ is a need for Christians, it is a joy; Christians can thus replenish the energy they need to continue on the journey we must make every week” (Benedict XVI 13).  If attending and participating in the Mass weekly is essential for our journey, why are the churches so empty?

There are likely a wide range of reasons why so many Catholics choose not to attend Mass.  But I think it really comes down to ignorance about the “source and summit” of our faith-the Eucharist.  How many Catholics either just don’t know or don’t believe?  Because once one knows that Jesus Christ is truly and fully present at the altar, how could anyone skip out on Mass?  How could anyone who knows and believes in the Real Presence turn his/her back on Him?

People can know and believe every single teaching of the Church.  But if they don’t know or believe the truth about the Eucharist, then everything else loses its significance.  Because in reality, it is the Mass and the Eucharist that transform everything- our faith, our hearts, our souls, and our lives.  And if we are not going to Mass, we are missing out on the greatest gift He has given us. 

The world is a broken and hurting place.  There is a lot of suffering and weariness.  But God doesn’t leave us to walk through each week alone.  He gives Himself to us completely in every single Mass.  It is in the Mass where we can find hope, peace, joy, love, strength.  It is where we are nourished and replenished for the journey.  
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It takes faith to believe that Jesus is present under the appearances of bread and wine.  And when we have that faith, we have to share it with others, so that they too would come to know and believe.  As the Eucharistic Revival takes place across the country over the next several years, pray that lives would be changed, faith renewed, and hearts filled with love for Jesus in the Eucharist.