Become One with Jesus

Through the gift of the Holy Eucharist, Jesus Christ offers us His body, blood, soul, and divinity, demonstrating His absolute love for each of us. How do we express our love in return? Do we allow the power of the Holy Eucharist to replenish and strengthen our faith so that we can become more Christ-like in our daily living? Or is something holding us back?

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Holy Eucharist is the sum and summary of our faith. When we receive the Holy Eucharist, it augments our union with Christ, increases the grace of baptism, separates us from sin, commits us to the poor, and strengthens our charity. Truly, this incredible gift of love and devotion is meant to be shared through our daily living as we strive to live as God’s children.

Our State of Mind, Heart, and Soul

However, perhaps in our minds, the thought of becoming one with Christ is, in and of itself, a barrier because it means obeying and trusting our Lord without hesitation even in our suffering, which certainly can try our faith. In our hearts, perhaps we do not believe we are capable of loving as God wants us to love. Such doubts, worries, and hesitations tend to muddy our souls as we begin to sink into the pit of sin’s temptation.  

During these times, we need to hold onto the fact that the greatness of God’s love for each us saves us from everything that works to prevent us from having eternal life in Heaven, which is our ultimate destination in life. When we willingly unite with Christ in the Holy Eucharist, our destiny is clear because through Him, in Him, and with Him, we unite with God the Father and the Holy Spirit. Then in this unity, we are given the gifts, fruits, and graces that bring Heaven to earth through each of us.

May His Love Shine Through Us

Let us follow the example of Mary, our Blessed Mother. “May it be done to me, according to your word,” said Mary at the Annunciation [Luke 1:38]. Allowing the Holy Spirit to come upon her and the power of the Most High to overshadow her, Mary conceived Jesus Christ in the physical reality of His body and blood, according to St. John Paul II. And when Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth, Jesus, nestled in His mother’s womb, allowed Himself to be adored by radiating His loving light through Mary.

Truly, when we accept the body and blood of Christ into our being, like Mary, we are given the courage and energy to serve our Lord by serving one another in His name. With our devotion, we become—according to St. John Paul II—living instruments of His presence of love, mercy, and peace. Therefore, in oneness with Jesus Christ, may we always share the presence of God, by way of the Holy Spirit, to provide a more loving, peaceful, and merciful way of life for us and our world. Amen!