What the Eucharist Means to Me

On this Feast of Corpus Christi, I encourage you to reflect on what the Eucharist means to you in your life. How has it shown up for you? How has it strengthened you as a Catholic? What have you learned about the Eucharist? How have you personally experienced the Eucharist?

Here are my own answers:

1. The Eucharist is the physical embrace and kiss of God, a tangible way that God has given Himself to us physically. I have experienced this especially during Eucharistic Adoration when I feel God’s presence wrapping me in love and peace and helping me discern life’s path. In times of loneliness, the Eucharist has been a physical embrace for me to rely on.
2. The Eucharist is our food for the journey, strengthening and nourishing us at Mass each week or each day to live a grounded, faithful Catholic life. The Eucharist gives us the food we need to sustain and energize us to be disciples of Jesus until the end of our lives. When we stop receiving the Eucharist consistently, that’s when we tend to fall away. There’s a connection!
3. Through the Eucharist, we carry the physical presence of Jesus inside ourselves. We ingest Jesus regularly when we go to Mass, which is one reason why going to Mass is so important, because that is the way He is present in us physically. The combination of hearing the Gospel message and eating/drinking of Jesus' body and blood transforms us into His image and likeness.
4. The Eucharist is the model of self-giving love that we are to follow. Jesus gave His body and blood for us. As we consume it and it transforms us, it challenges us to grow into self-giving persons who similarly give of ourselves to others and in the words of St. Augustine “to become what we receive.” The goal is not just keeping Jesus inside ourselves and for ourselves. That was never Jesus’ style. He sent the disciples out after they ate of Him. Similarly, the Eucharist is intended to send us on mission to our brothers and sisters who need our love and care. 

With these thought starters, consider for yourself what the Eucharist means to you today.