While watching a round table episode of the Journey Home on the Eucharist, it was brought up that a powerful grace is manifest in the real presence and it’s consumption can effect significant change in one’s life. As an outsider considering conversion, I often face the questions from friends, “then why don’t we run into more holy Catholics?” My experience, and one typical of my friends, is that we read amazing books written by Godly Catholics, but the one’s we meet on the street don’t appear to exhibit a significant change in their life.
I understand that hypocrisy does not negate truth, but if the Eucharist has a powerful effect on a person’s life, where should I look to observe this taking place?
Thanks a lot for taking the time to read my question. I really appreciate the work you all do here (Jimmy, I’m a huge fan, I read blog all the time)
Most of the people whose lives have been turned around by the Eucharist are ordinary people who remain unknown to most of us. If I were to mention the ones I personally know, you wouldn’t know who they are. Here are some relatively recent people that are publicly known:
Blessed Teresa of Calcutta (1920-1997), from the day of her first Holy Communion:
But the way we best know the effects of the Eucharist comes from our own experience before Him as we sit or kneel before the tabernacle. I do this for an hour or so every day at 2 a.m. I invite you to spend some time before His Presence. You don’t have to say or do a thing. Just be there with Him in silence, allowing Him to minister to you. When all self-preoccupation finally melts away, you will know that you are not alone there.
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(Jimmy, I’m a huge fan, I read blog all the time)