By FATHER JOHN TITUS 
Special to Catholic Times

Has your faith grown during the National Eucharistic Revival over the past couple of years? Were you part of the Eucharistic Congress in Springfield last October? Were you one of the hundreds who lined up to share in the sacrament of confession that day? Did Sister Karolyn Nunes, FSGM, or Dr. Scott Hahn inspire you with their talks? Did you “take a chance” on Eucharistic adoration for the first time at your church? If you’ve prayed before our Lord in adoration in the past, did you increase your time before Him in prayer? Did you hear the Lord’s voice speaking to you through the silence in the depths of your heart? 

Did you join the National Eucharistic Procession as Jesus came to us in in seven cities in our diocese? Were you inspired by witness talks from the National Eucharistic Procession team at potlucks such as at Sacred Heart Parish in Effingham? Did you attend the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis this past week?

Whether you participated in these experiences or not and even though they are over, what should you be doing next to keep this increased love of Christ in your heart growing?

As an inquirer into the Catholic faith as a convert, I know it was a desire to share in the Eucharist that led me to the Church. I believed Christ’s words when He said, “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood you do not have life within you” (John 6:53). I had full belief in the Real Presence of Christ, but it was only a few years ago that I realized I didn’t really “fall in love” with the Eucharist until I went to the seminary and spent hours alone in the chapel with Jesus present in monstrance or tabernacle.  

My youngest brother had died 10 days before I entered the seminary, and I was still in the early stages of grief. It was in the chapel of Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary that I began to understand the Catholic truth of being united with Christ in the Eucharist means we are united to all those who belong to Christ. This brought me to know and feel Christ’s healing through his Eucharistic presence.  

One of the best ways to continue in your quest to furthering your relationship with our Lord is by continuing to intentionally choose to spend quality time with Him, present in the holy Eucharist.

That may include: participating in Eucharistic adoration/exposition and Eucharistic processions at your parish; arriving early to Mass to spend quiet time with our Lord who is present in the tabernacle and preparing yourself to receive Him in the Eucharist; spending time after Mass in prayer thanking Jesus for the gift of Himself in the Eucharist; making visits to your church throughout the week just to spend a few minutes with our Lord (this can include holy reading, praying the rosary, praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet, or just talking to Jesus about what’s on your heart); always acknowledging the presence of Christ with a sign of reverence as you pass a church and genuflecting when entering and exiting your pew, and of course, intentionally setting aside time for prayer, holy reading, and meditation throughout your day.

As we are sent into the world at the end of each Mass to love and serve the Lord, we don’t fully complete our reception and love for the Eucharist until we give who we have received (Jesus) to others. Matthew 25 teaches us that when we pray for and serve the hungry, the poor, the sick, the vulnerable, and anyone who needs help, support, comfort, and love, we are really serving Christ Himself. 

So, keep your Eucharistic zeal alive by giving of yourself to others, just as Christ gave of Himself to you. By your prayers, works, and sufferings (a reminder to offer up your sufferings!), you can live “through Him, with Him, and in Him” in such a way that others will come to know Jesus a little better as well, and I guarantee, you will feel peace because your relationship with our living God will be on fire. 

Father John Titus is pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Mattoon and St. Columcille in Sullivan.