The Gospels and the Eucharist Changes Lives

Read the four gospels, and see why every meeting with Jesus Christ brought a change in so many lives. Fr Ralph de Hahn, Cape Town – From time to time the Eucharist has been mentioned in The Southern Cross as being central to our Catholic faith—and so it is!

Also highlighted is the widespread abuse of the sacred host in the hands of uncaring persons. Rightly, we are encouraged to receive Holy Communion with a deeper reverence.

I feel there is something missing, though, something more than mere faith. Because this incredible gift should bring about a real change in my Christian behaviour. “What do you want me to do for you?” asks Jesus (Matthew 20:32)

Lord, that I may see the wonders of your work within me! But, first, I must believe, truly believe. Surely then, as communicants, both religious and lay persons, we must have our lives touched and somewhat changed by this very intimate meeting with the all-powerful God.

St Paul, writing to the Ephesians, prays: “that Christ may live in your hearts through faith… and you are filled with the utter fullness of God”. Pause on that truth! And believe that each sacred host is not just a part of Jesus, but the whole Christ and all his magnificent power.

Paul concludes: “Glory be to Him whose power working within us can do infinitely more than what we can ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:17-20).

Jesus, too, tells the apostles: “He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood will live in me, and I will live in him” (John 6:56).

But do we have the strong will and deep desire to experience this change in our thoughts, judgments, utterances, and in our relationship with friends and so-called enemies?

Read the four gospels, and see why every meeting with Jesus Christ brought a change in so many lives.

The Jesus of the gospels is the one we encounter in the reception of Holy Communion.

So, where in our Catholic lives is the joy of the gospels and of the Eucharist? Are we, unknowingly, posing obstacles which cancel the powerful action of the Blessed Eucharist within us?

When we get this right, there will be no lack of good religious vocations.