The Importance of Believing in the Real Presence

The belief and reality of Jesus being present in the Eucharist is a long time taught belief in Catholic faith. Jesus in the bible, in the last supper on Holy Thursday, before his day of crucifixion on Good Friday, instituted Holy Communion or the Eucharist. He said, "Do this in remembrance of me." He also said, "If you do not eat the flesh of the Son of man, you will have no life in you".

Many bible Christians think this is cannibalism, but it is not. Jesus used bread and wine, as do Catholic priests. We use symbols, not real flesh. But, it is believed that God nourishes us with his body and blood--in a SPIRITUAL way. This nourishment gives us the strength to be sustained in our life. It gives us strength to stay away from sin, as does the sacrament of confession.

In the seven sacraments, the most important two, to receive often are Holy Communion and Reconciliation or Confession.

I used to struggle at times about the real presence because I had gone to a bible church for awhile. And they taught differently. But as I missed my Catholic church, and I missed not only the beautiful art, and the structure of the Mass, but most of all the Eucharist. I could tell the real presence was not in protestant churches or bible churches. They don't consecrate the host like the priest does.

This consecration or transubstantiation in unique to the Catholic Church. On another note, I think it makes sense that there is only one true religion or faith. I think it makes sense that there is but one true faith and one true God, not multiple faiths or gods.

I believe in one Creator who deserves and desires to be properly worshiped. He has manifested Himself clearly over time in the old testament thru prophets and clearly in the new testament in the recording of the life of Jesus and after Jesus in the lives or the ACTS of the apostles and even in Revelation in predictions of the future which many experts say are coming true and into existence.

We do not know the hour or day when God/Jesus will come again in glory and we must be spiritually prepared! There will be a lot of testing yes, we are all tested.

But as far as the Eucharist goes, it is real and we must as Catholics respect it. It is real in so much that there have been Eucharistic miracles.

Many people will never believe in this belief in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. We are all different, and variety is good, but we all think differently.

Personally, I think there are many reasons for this.

1. Some people logically cannot understand it
2. Some people prefer other beliefs as to not have to be held accountable for sins
3. Many were not raised with any faith, or a strong faith
4. Some were hurt by the church
5. Some read the history of the church and focus on errors that were made
6. Some focus on recent errors made in the church with scandals, etc

Jesus said about His church that "The gates of hell shall not prevail against it", meaning that His church would never be totally gone from this earth. But many people are trying to ruin the church. Some religions kill Christians. Some people hate Christians! But Christians are taught- if they understand properly- to be peaceful like Jesus.

Any errors made in the present of past of the Church is just the devil trying to destroy the church as it makes sense he would try to destroy anything good.

As far as believing in whatever one wants, it sounds good, but really there must be one faith, and one God, and I hope everyone finds the right one! Or seeks to find the right one and the truth. For example, as far as I know, no other faith or God, died and rose again and is living forever.

Jesus is the perfect example of how to live. His life was sinless. But he did have righteous anger at least on one occasion when he rebuked the people selling in the temple. There is such a thing as righteous anger.

"By their fruits you will know them"

In this age, the truth is more obscured than ever, but yes if you are seeking truth and want truth, you will know Jesus' followers, the real deal, by how they live their life. Do they:

1. Repent of their sins?
2. Try their best to be kind?
3. Make an act of faith by accepting Christ?
4. Stick up for Christ by not denying Him?
5. If they make mistakes, try to correct them?
6. Have a loving demeanor?
7. Have daily prayers and other devotions?

These are just a few things I think a true believer would be showing in their life. Obviously only Jesus was perfect. Humans will never be, but they can definitely seek to be the best they can, with God's help! (The sacraments, prayers, bible, Eucharist, etc. The rosary, etc.)

My purpose in writing about subjects like these, is not to be argumentative or stir up controversy or arguments or judgement. I write, because I feel inspired to do so. I feel called to share my experiences.

I have as many of you have read suffered from debilitating depression for 27 years. What helps me cope and heals me is my faith. And I genuinely care for my fellow humans and want to provide more resources because the more there is available, the better I think. It is wonderful there are miracles like this to help our faith.

Life is complex. Many of us will encounter suffering in one way or another and faith is like a rock! Humans need strong supports. But to me it's even more, I really believe. And it wasn't always easy, but as I utilize my faith it works in my life. My prayers get answered daily. I won't share specific examples, but they do. And if I wasn't participating in my faith, my life was and would be a lot more difficult.

It's not just medication that helps me, no. I know by experience that it is my faith that sustains me on many occasions. So, faith to me is not just helpful in this life, but I know I have done all I can, that in the next, when I am judged by God---I cannot prove that will happen but I am prepared for it--I know He will call me His friend, because I had a "relationship" with Him while I was alive, and that my friends, is what He asks for in the bible! He wants us to be not slaves, but friends.

When I watch Mass on TV, or at certain times, I get the inspiration to write. And so here it is. I've done what I felt called to do in a loving and peaceful way.

God bless