One of the things that perennially draws people to join the Catholic Church is the Sacrament of the Eucharist. Even amidst scandals and abuses, when the imperfections of the members of the Church are on display, Jesus draws people to the Catholic faith through the Eucharist.
Why is the Eucharist so powerful in drawing souls to God? St. John Vianney said, “The soul hungers for God, and nothing but God can satiate it. Therefore He came to dwell on earth and assumed a Body in order that this Body might become the Food of our souls"
God has placed a deep hunger within our souls, a hunger for himself. And our good God has provided the food to satisfy that hunger. The world offers many artificial alternatives to God, but the Eucharist is the food that truly satisfies.
Isaiah the prophet asked, “Why spend money on that which is not bread, and wages on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods” Little did Isaiah know of the bread which God would give in the Eucharist, the supersubstantial bread that truly satisfies and delights our souls.
A few years ago, on the feast of Corpus Christi, the late Holy Father Pope Francis said, “Let us choose this food of life! Let us make Mass our priority! Let us rediscover Eucharistic adoration in our communities! Let us implore the grace to hunger for God, with an insatiable desire to receive what he has prepared for us”
In the Gospel today, the Lord makes the invitation to all people: "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst”. Again, during the Easter Season, we consider how we are called to extend that invitation to the spiritually starving. If we don’t extend the invitation, they will go from one unsatisfying pursuit to the other until they starve to death.
May we respond generously to the Easter summons to go out to the world, to teach and make disciples, to help souls longing, searching, and hungering for God to find Him here, and to share communion with Him for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.
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Trusting in Christ’s true presence among us in the Eucharist, we present our prayers and petitions to our Heavenly Father.
That the Church around the world may be a visible sign of the light of the Risen Lord calling all people to new life and communion with Him, and for the Holy Spirit’s guidance for the college of Cardinals in the conclave for the papal election.
For leaders of nations, that they may be guided by the wisdom and love revealed in Christ’s Eucharistic sacrifice, promoting justice, peace, and dignity for all people.
For priests and those preparing for priestly ministry, that their hearts may be strengthened and their lives continually transformed by the Eucharist, the source of their joy and priestly identity, and for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life.
For married couples and families, that the self-giving love of Christ made present in the Eucharist may inspire and sustain their love and fidelity to one another.
For those experiencing spiritual hunger, loneliness, or despair, that they may encounter Christ, finding in him nourishment, peace, and fulfillment for their souls.
For those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit, that they may draw comfort and strength from Christ’s presence in the Eucharist and from the charitable giving of the Body of Christ.
For our beloved dead, especially Pope Francis, that they may share in that eternal life promised to those who ate and drank the body and blood of Christ.
Gracious Father, hear our prayers. Nourish us continually with your Son’s presence in the Eucharist, and grant us the grace to lead others to this divine source of eternal life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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