BELIEF THAT JESUS is the Second Person of the Trinity—fully human and fully divine—is fundamental to belief in His Eucharistic presence.

In his book, With Us Today: On the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, Fr. Hardon, SJ, describes the Eucharist as “the deepest mystery of Christianity.” He points out the need to understand this mystery as best we can, so that our faith may keep “growing with increased intelligibility.”… belief in Christ’s Eucharistic presence has been linked to belief in the reality of the Incarnation. He concludes with this remark: “Once we realize who He is on earth—no less than He was in the first century—it is no wonder that those who believe will flock to be in His presence, to honor and thank Him as their God, with weeping emphasis to beg Him for the graces they so desperately need today.”

Although not speaking specifically about the Eucharist, American writer Flannery O’Connor said: “The truth does not change according to our ability to stomach it.” This is an apt reminder of how we should stand up to the modern culture’s reaction to many of the teachings of the Church.

The response of the crowd to Jesus’ “bread of life” discourse found in John 6 was: “This saying is hard; who can accept it?” And, the gospel tells us, “they walked with Him no more.” Jesus then asked the apostles if they too wanted to leave him. May each of us respond with confidence and love as Peter did: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

Maggie Ciskanik, “Who do you say that I am?” The current crisis of belief in the Eucharist. Excerpted from aleteia.org,, September 26, 2019. With permission.