HADDON TOWNSHIP – Explaining that “consuming our Lord’s presence in the Holy Eucharist is as important as us consuming [earthly] food to keep our bodies alive,” Father Mark Matthias, pastor of Saint Joseph the Worker Parish, discussed “Why the Real Presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist is Real” the evening of Oct. 20.
His presentation was part of the Diocese’s efforts to help all discern the Eucharist during the three-year National Eucharistic Revival that began over the summer. These learning opportunities are being offered in English, Spanish and Vietnamese and are taking place at churches across the Diocese through Spring 2023.
Noting the 2019 Pew Research Center study that found 69% of self-identified Catholics do not believe the bread and wine consumed at Mass are the body of blood of Jesus Christ, Father Matthias stressed that “since the beginning of the Church, we’ve always believed and professed that Christ is truly present in the Holy Eucharist.”
As examples, he cited Scripture and Church documents such as the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
“The body and blood, together with the soul and divinity, of our Lord Jesus Christ and, therefore, the whole Christ is truly, really and substantially contained,” he said, quoting paragraph 1374 of the Catechism. “This presence is called ‘real’ – by which is not intended to exclude the other types of presence as if they could not be ‘real,’ too, but because it is presence in the fullest sense: that is to say, it is a substantial presence by which Christ, God and man, makes himself wholly and entirely present.”
Pointing to the Bible, Father Matthias quoted John 6:27: “Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.”
Jesus’ “goal for each and every one of us,” the pastor explained, is that all become God’s daughters and sons and “citizens of heaven,” accomplished by the reception of the Lord’s presence.
In receiving his Body and Blood, and engaging with the mystery of the Eucharist, the faithful are elevated in holiness: “The old is being washed away, and the new is being introduced by Christ,” Father Matthias said.
“As humans needing constant sanctification, we need the presence of God through grace purifying our lives,” he continued. He urged the faithful to remember Jesus’ words: “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me shall not hunger. He who believes in me shall never thirst.”
These words and the sacraments help all “to be holy, as he is holy,” Father Matthias said.
Upcoming Lectures on the Eucharist
Nov. 3: “The True Miracle of Feeding the Multitudes,” Most Precious Blood Parish, West Collingswood, TBA (Vietnamese), 6:30 p.m.
Nov. 8: “General Overview on the Eucharist according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church – Part 2,” Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, the Parish of Saint Monica, Atlantic City, Father Andrew Pham (Vietnamese), 6:30 p.m.
Nov. 9: “Strengthened, Forgiven and Healed by the Eucharist,” Saints Peter and Paul Parish, Turnersville, Father Stephen Rapposelli (English), 7 p.m.
Nov. 29: “The Holy Eucharist: Christ’s Eternal Sacrifice Offered on Calvary Once for All,” Saint Margaret Church, Infant Jesus Parish, Woodbury Heights, Father Joseph Pham (English), 7 p.m.
Nov. 30: “La Necesidad de la Sagrada Eucaristia,” Saint Jude Church, Our Lady of Hope Parish, Blackwood, Father Rene Canales (Spanish), 7 p.m.
For a full list of upcoming lectures on the Eucharist, visit eucharisticrevivalsouthjersey.org/events. For videos from some of the past presentations, visit YouTube.com/CamdenDiocese.
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