You may or may not be familiar with a statistic often reported about belief in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. The numbers are staggering – apparently 60% of Catholics don’t believe in the real presence.
Now, I don’t know the specifics of that number – when’s it from? Is that practicing Catholics? Do they refuse to believe or struggle to believe?
Even if that number is off – I bring it up for this reason.
Our Church is in a crisis. The scandals coming to light in recent months will not go away any time soon. Catholics are tempted to leave, and some already have. But, here’s a thought.
If we believe in the real presence in the Eucharist, how could we ever leave?
Where Christ is present to us – that’s where we should be. Nothing trumps that.
I’ve heard a few different stories about belief in the real presence. One about a protestant minister and another about a Muslim student. In each case, the stories go something like this. In talking to a Catholic about God’s presence to us in the Eucharist – the non-Catholics respond with: If I believed what you believe, I would never leave His side.
Be the Men,
Mark
Support Be the Men | Monthly publication Summons | Follow us on Instagram