Eucharist, Resurrection And Gratitude

Shortly after I finished studying theology, there was an enormous shift that took place in the study of Christ’s Resurrection, which helped me to see – and understand better – that theology is done by human beings reflecting on God’s revelation.

Eucharist and Gratitude

Eighth in a series

THE MORE I reflect on the insights that Ronald Rolheiser offers in “Our One Great Act of Fidelity: Waiting for Christ in the Eucharist” (New York: Doubleday, 2011), the more I see how the Eucharist relates to everything I believe as a Catholic.

Four Phrases for Living A Eucharistic Spirituality

Since reading Rolheiser’s emphasis on these four words – receive, give thanks, break, share – I have been reflecting on how we might use them to allow the Eucharist to color our entire lives.

Eucharist and Sacrifice

Sixth in a series
EXPERIENCING THE season of Lent this year has convinced me that for several years I have been living in the midst of a religious revolution. What I am emphasizing in my life during this Lenten season is radically different from my experience of Lent prior to Vatican II. My guess is that many readers of this column may be having an experience similar to mine.

Human Vulnerability and The Eucharist

RE-READING RONALD Rolheiser’s “Our One Great Act of Fidelity: Waiting for Christ in the Eucharist” has been an interesting experience.

The Eucharist and God’s Will

Fourth in a series IN TRYING TO help people through some difficult times, I have encouraged them to pray that God’s will be done. Of course, many of us have said the words, “Thy will be done,” thousands of times when praying the Our Father.

The Eucharist as Touch

Third in a series, I AM ENJOYING re-reading Ronald Rolheiser’s “Our One Great Act of Fidelity: Waiting for Christ in the Eucharist” (New York: Doubleday, 2011). Re-reading the book seems even more enjoyable and profitable than my first reading. Insights seem to be leaping off the pages. This has happened with other books that I have re-read and it is a wonderful experience. If I ever meet Rolheiser, I hope to express my gratitude for this book and for others.

A Eucharistic Embrace

Second in a series, EARLY IN HIS book “Our One Great Act of Fidelity: Waiting for Christ in the Eucharist” (New York: Doubleday, 2011), Ronald Rolheiser stresses that the Eucharist is a great mystery that we will never completely understand. He confesses that in his studies he took excellent courses on the Eucharist, but in the end he realized that he did not understand the Eucharist.

The Eucharist Is Central to Our Faith

First in a series, WHEN I WAS A young parish priest many years ago, about one quarter of the Catholics who lived in the parish did not attend the Sunday Eucharist with any regularity. My guess is that at this time that percentage has increased. Though I do not have any statistics, I think we have a very serious problem in the contemporary Church concerning the Sunday Eucharist.