Why are you Catholic? Why? Why be Catholic? Why not be Lutheran? Or Anglican? Baptist? Presbyterian? Atheist? Agnostic? Why be Catholic?
In our society today, Catholics are seen as overly traditional, stubborn, judgmental, and much more. So many people do not believe that the Catholic Church is the authentic, true church of Jesus Christ. But we know better.
If someone asked me, “Hey, why are you Catholic?” there are so many awesome answers I could give. I could talk about the authority of the Pope, about Mary and the Saints, but most importantly, I would mention the Eucharist.
Many people, some Catholics included, believe that the Eucharist is only a symbol of Jesus. As Fr. Mike Schmitz once said, “Let’s see what Jesus says about that!”
In John 6, after Jesus feeds the 5000, He tells them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”
Jesus tells this to the crowds 5 times, each in a slightly different way, but the message is the same. First, the crowds murmured, then quarreled among themselves, and then many of them left.
In the Gospels, Jesus often speaks symbolically, saying things like, “I am the gate,” or “I am the vine.” If Jesus was speaking symbolically here, don’t you think He would have revised His words, and called the disciples and crowds back? If He was speaking symbolically, why would the crowds have murmured or quarreled among themselves in the first place? If He was speaking symbolically, the crowds and the disciples would have been fine with His teachings. But they weren’t. And Jesus didn’t call them back.
When everyone begins to leave, Jesus turns to the 12 apostles and asks, “Do you also want to leave?” Thankfully, Peter answers, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” We need to be like Peter!
Fr. Mike Schmitz has an amazing video on YouTube called, “The Hour That Will Change Your Life,” where he talks to young adults about the importance of the Eucharist. I highly recommend that you all listen to his talk. Take the time to understand the importance of Jesus in the Eucharist, and try to find time to spend an hour with Him in the Blessed Sacrament.
~ Noëlle, Youth Ministry Coordinator
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