To the Editor:
I would like to respond to a recent question in Father Ken Doyle’s Question Box (The Catholic Messenger, Feb. 26, 2015), regarding belief in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.
I believe that Jesus is present in the Eucharist. I believe that when the priest pronounces the words of consecration at Mass, calling down the Spirit of God upon the gifts, the bread and wine truly become Christ’s body and blood. A number of my Catholic friends disagree with me, saying they believe Christ is only present symbolically.
I feel, however, that the most important point here is not whether the gifts of bread and wine change, but that our lives change. If we, as Catholics, aren’t making a daily effort to become more Christ-like, praying continually to become more generous, caring and compassionate, as we receive holy Communion, then the transformation of the bread and wine into Christ’s body and blood is in vain. Communion then becomes an empty ritual.
Many of our non-Catholic brethren, as they receive Communion in their churches, do not believe Christ is truly present in the bread and wine that they receive, but these people are living beautiful, inspiring, Christian lives.
Isn’t this the real reason we welcome Christ into our hearts at holy Communion, that with his help and guidance, with each passing day, our lives will change and we will become more like him?
Helen Hembreiker
St. Thomas More Parish
Coralville
