“It is in the heart that the Holy Spirit makes the believer know that Jesus is alive and real in a way that cannot be expressed by reasoning and that no reasoning can overcome.”

This line from the book This is My Body by Raniero Cantalamessa sums up some of the great struggles all Catholics face: contemplating the depths of our faith and exploring our own belief in the True Presence of the Eucharist. I find it interesting that both come back to the heart—a place from where we draw our understanding and strength to press on in faith during difficulties, and where we meet the Lord in the Eucharist and let Him change us. I can only conclude that it is our heart that urges us to grow in the love of the Lord.

A common point of demarcation in each person’s spiritual journey is faith in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Jesus’ teachings on the bread of life were a challenge—even a scandal—to His disciples, and they continue as a challenge to us 2,000 years later.

Speaking for myself, belief in the True Presence is, at times, personally challenging. But I take comfort in Cantalamessa’s words about coming to know Jesus as real. They embrace my unknowing by reminding me of the Holy Spirit’s work in my heart. At times, my mind wants to “logic my way through” an understanding of the Eucharist. But my greatest conviction in the True Presence is always in worship of the Lord, spending time in prayer with Him; offering Him my thoughts, words and actions; and sharing with Him the cares and concerns of my heart.

I remember the first time I began exploring the Mystery of the Eucharist as an adult. Even though I received First Communion at age seven, there I was at age 32, and I was suddenly gobsmacked at my lack of understanding. I had allowed the routine of receiving Communion to become commonplace. I felt as if I’d followed along blindly, and suddenly I had so many questions.

One evening I began journaling about the Eucharist, letting questions pour out of me. It didn’t matter that I didn’t know the right answers, the first step was asking the questions. The first step in growth was admitting I’d gotten lost, then opening myself up to more. (Isn’t that how the Lord works? All we need to do is crack open the door and the Lord comes rushing in? When we finally approach the Lord, admitting our faults, His mercy washes over us.)

In the years that followed, I began to pray more. I rekindled my practice of frequent daily Mass, and I began reading books about the Eucharist (including This is my Body). In part, I was searching for answers to those questions that stirred up my heart that feverish night. But, more than always finding theological answers to those probing questions, my exploration of the Mystery of the Eucharist was taking me closer into my love of the Lord. This is my hope for all of us: to ask questions that spur each of us into a deeper relationship with the Lord.

Do you believe in the True Presences of Jesus in the Eucharist? Is pride—or your logical mind—keeping you from faith beyond reason? Are there questions on your heart that you should take to the Lord?

“It is in the heart that the Holy Spirit makes the believer know that Jesus is alive and real in a way that cannot be expressed by reasoning and that no reasoning can overcome.”

The Lord is available to us in the Eucharist at every Mass. Let’s pray today that our hearts may be strengthened in our love of the Lord in the Eucharist, so that we may each come to better know Jesus, who is both “alive and real.”

This article appeared in the January 2023 edition of The Catholic Telegraph Magazine. For your complimentary subscription, click here.