by Sister Elise Cholewinski
In our parish we have a summer school program for our high
school students. Recently I finished teaching a course on
world religions. The question I kept asking the students as
we completed our study of each of the major religions was, "Knowing
what you now know, why would you choose to be a Catholic?"
Then I would remind them that a great spiritual writer, G.K.
Chesterton, says in his book, "The Everlasting Man," that religion has to be
real.
During the past few weeks we have been listening to Jesus' Bread
of Life discourse. In the first part of that discourse He
invites us to believe in Him as the One sent from the Father.
We are to come to Him not only for what He does, but especially for
Who He is, the very substance, meaning, nourishment of our
lives. If we believe He is real, then we know why we are
Christian.
In this Sunday's Gospel we are at the heart of what it means to be
Catholic. Jesus speaks about His flesh as real food and His
blood as real drink. Eating and drinking are the most
intimate things we do; what we receive actually becomes part
of who we are. If we believe in Jesus' Real Presence in the
Eucharist, then we know why we are Catholic.
Religion is about what is real. Is Jesus a real living
Person, the Son of God, or is He simply a great prophet from
the past? Is the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist His real
Body and Blood, or a symbol or representation?
Catholicism is about what is real. Let us believe. Let
us enjoy the intimacy. Let us treasure the Gift.
Well formulated and excellent connections made with Scripture, our daily living, and Chesterton. Thanks for making your point in such a succinct way. You live what you speak, Elise.
Elise, Thank you for sharing your giftedness with us! You are a gifted teacher and are able to make connections and present questions that bring help to make our faith real and alive!