MANTUA – With a mix of personal storytelling, humor and passion, renowned theologian Dr. Scott Hahn visited the Parish of the Incarnation Oct. 2, inviting attendees to find what Saint John Paul II called “Eucharistic amazement” through Scripture and the Holy Eucharist.
“There is a connection between the sacred Scripture and the sacred liturgy, between the Word in the Scripture and the Word that is incarnated on our tongues in Holy Communion,” the founder and president of the Saint Paul Center for Biblical Theology stressed during his morning presentation.
“The Word of God illuminates the mystery of the Eucharist,” he said, pointing to biblical passages such as the Last Supper and Crucifixion of Jesus, and the disciples encountering the Risen Savior on the way to Emmaus.
In the latter story, the two disciples do not recognize Jesus until he unpacks Scripture and breaks bread with them, a revelation that is meaningful to all today, Dr. Hahn said.
“Jesus brought them to a moment of grace, of conversion. For us, conversion is not one-and-done, but ongoing,” he added, admitting that this change of heart “is never going to stop being difficult.”
No stranger to the transformative power of the Lord, Dr. Hahn was once a Presbyterian minister before entering the Catholic Church in 1986. In addition to being a theologian, he is also a well-known author and speaker.
Referencing the 2019 Pew Research finding that only one-third of Catholics believe in the Real Presence of Jesus in the bread and wine, Dr. Hahn noted that “it’s amazing how un-amazed we are by things that, if [we believe] are true, go beyond amazing.”
In giving the faithful himself in the Eucharist, “The creator of the world wants to be with us, more than we want to be with him. He loves us the way we are, but he loves us too much to leave us the way we are. He wants us to be saints,” Dr. Hahn said.
He cautioned against engaging in too many worldly pleasures on Earth, but to keep eyes focused on eternal life. “Don’t pig out on hors d’oeuvres; the main course is yet to be served.”
Parish pastor Father Raymond Gormley said Dr. Hahn’s emphasis on the Eucharist was effective, as the liturgy is “central to us as Catholics.” He said he was happy to see so many from around South Jersey in attendance, faithful who will able to “share that fire across the Diocese.”
Kevin Bailey, a parishioner from Merchantville’s Saint Peter Parish, was among those at the event. Of Dr. Hahn, Bailey said, “He draws you in, makes you understand how God is in every moment.”
Father Steven Bertonazzi, Incarnation’s parochial vicar, said that in “breaking up the Scriptures, and calling us to look deeper,” Dr. Hahn “helps us better live the Gospel.”
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