Much concerned:
Perhaps I did not make myself clear, but I truly believe that the Eucharist is the the Body and Blood and Spirit of Jesus. It is the gift of the Eucharist that gives us life. Now you know one non-catholic that believes like you!!!
Maybe God is calling you to become Catholic?
To better understand the Eucharist, I would refer you to Scott Hahn’s “The Lamb’s Supper”
On a more practical note, when we Catholics go forward to recieve the Eucharist, which we believe to be Jesus, body, blood, soul and divinity, we are publicly proclaiming not only with our faith, but with our actions that we believe and accept everything the Church teaches. (There are many peoply who are “lying” by that definition but that’s for a different thread).
When we go into an adoration chapel where the Blessed Sacrament is exposed, we drop to both knees and maybe bow deeply, some prostrate themselves before him, some make the sign of the cross several times. After all, this is our KING, our Lord and Savior!
If you do believe that the Eucharist is body, blood, soul, and divinity, then you must already have the scriptural evidence…can I ask what led you to this belief? Once we understand where you are on your journey then we might be able to answer your questions rather than travel over ground you’ve already found on your own.
In answer to your first question, regarding closeness to Jesus…well, that’s a very long story so I won’t bore you. I have walked the valley of my own chosing, but God is good and would not let me go. I am always seeking to be close to him…whether in prayer…constantly. I try to direct comments to Jesus throughout the day, sometimes offering prayers for assistance in the place of saying what I really want to say. I findJesus in both the small and the large things in life.
I love Catholicism because not only do we have the opportunity to meet him personally in the tabernacle where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved, or in Adoration, but in various spiritualities within the Church. There is something for everyone, something for every mood.
Jesus does not ask us to walk an easy path, and the road he follows both draws us to him and draws us through trials…but in the end, we do not go alone.