As a Catholic, the Eucharist is very dear to my heart, and it saddens me that other Christians don’t get to experience this incredible mystery. It is such an incredible gift. God gives Himself to us in a very beautiful and intimate way—literally gives Himself to us, body and blood. Personally, I am very much a romantic at heart, and I love the comparison of this offering, this union, to the union of marriage.

Christ calls the Church His “bride,” and by the Eucharist He unites Himself to His Church, to each of us individually, and calls us His Beloved. In fact, it is not even really that the Eucharist is a symbol of marriage, but rather that marriage is a symbol of the Eucharist, of the union of God and His Church, and of the union of the Holy Trinity that He welcomes us into. Marriage is beautiful, but not the fulfillment of all our desires, not the end goal; the end goal is union with God, which will fulfill all our desires. I realized: should we not then be even more joyful at receiving the Eucharist as we would on our wedding day?

In this way, the Eucharist certainly plays a central role in my life, drawing me closer to God and inspiring me to love Him more.

However, I realize that this love is still far from perfected in me. God is still working in me and in my life, helping me to trust Him more and give my daily life to Him. I have come a long way, but still have a long way to go, particularly in letting go of anxieties and desires for others’ approval.

I realized two things through some of the readings for my Scripture & Tradition class: that I have room to grow, first, in love of neighbor, and second, in offering daily life to God. Take some examples from 1 Corinthians and Romans.

1 Corinthians 10:16-17 says: “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because the loaf of bread is one, we, though many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf.”

In receiving the Eucharist, we are not only united to God, but spiritually united to each other in Him. Therefore, not only does the Eucharist foster love for God, but also love for neighbor. Being aware of this reminds me to ask God to help me see Christ in others and to love them more.

Secondly, 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.”

It is always a struggle to remember God throughout the day. But after being united to God in the Eucharist, we become part of His body, and thus wherever we go, whatever we do, Christ lives in us, and we can offer every little action to Him in prayer.

God bless and keep you,

~~Beloved Dreamer~~