A recent poll published by the PEW Research Center hit a nerve with me…and many who believe what the Church teaches and proclaims. The results of a poll of US Catholic revealed that two-thirds of those who call themselves Catholic do not actually believe that Jesus is truly present in the Holy Eucharist. This is so shocking in that, the Eucharist is the “Source and summit of the Christian life.” To me it is also intensely sad.
But sadness is not a Catholic-Christian virtue. Hope is. So I want to ask you to join me in witnessing from our own PEW. Not from the PEW research center, but from our parish pew. Let us share what the Eucharist means to us. We celebrate it as a community. We worship together. We receive our Lord … He receives us. He sends us…what do we share with those we meet and encounter.
Today is the Feast of St. Teresa of Avila. During a tumultuous time in our Church’s history, Teresa of Jesus was a woman of great faith, great courage and incredible insight into spiritual life and devotion. Her exterior counsel and interior reflection protected our faith. Little wonder she was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church.
I would like us to share. Let’s write a book or an e-book together. If you have some reflection on the Eucharist, an experience to share, a “miracle,” a story of faith to build up others…lets share it. Please email it to me at jfbird1963@yahoo.com. I have no idea how long this will take or where it will lead us. My prayer is it moves others to share our belief and faith…that Jesus, on the night before He died, took bread bless, broke and gave it….took wine, a wine of a new covenant in memory of HIM. His Body, His Blood. The real presence. Perhaps we can fill our PEW?
SEND your sharing to jfbird1963@yahoo.com
