Why So Few Believe

Why So Few Believe
 

Over a third of Catholics no longer believe in the Real Presence. There are likely many reasons for this, but one that I see is that Jesus has been kept in a prison locked away from the faithful.

Jesus is a willing prisoner in our Tabernacles, but we have imprisoned him in our churches where no one has access. Some Pastors seem to feel that temporal security is more important than spiritual security. Our churches are locked to keep out thieves and vandals but the faithful are also locked out.

Much time and money were spent last summer to fund a Eucharistic revival with processions and pilgrimages. While access to the Tabernacle was still restricted. The pageantry and homilies had little effect on local churches. It is still difficult to get committed adorers for adoration.

What message is being sent to the laity when they can no longer access the Blessed sacrament during their lunch hour or on the way home from work. I believe that it shouts that this practice isn’t important. The Eucharist is less important than protecting earthly goods. It is the only place we can find Jesus in the flesh. The perpetually burning sanctuary lamp announces that Jesus is present but sadly not available. No wonder Catholics are lax in their attitudes toward the Holy Eucharist and the reverence due to Jesus, God. Pastors seem more concerned about thieves and vandals than making Jesus present to their flock.  They are fearful of offending those who present themselves at Mass in inappropriate attire and casually chat before Mass, as if they are waiting for a show to begin.

St. John Vianney sat for hours in the confessional each day. Setting an example for all priests. Lay people are confined to one hour a week on the most inconvenient day. For families, Saturday is catch-up day for chores, errands, housework, children’s sporting events, grocery shopping, and home repairs. These are not to be done on a Sunday, but the other primary sacrament is scheduled right in the middle of the family work day. 

Some parishes offer confessions after morning Mass on weekdays or one evening a week. Many approach communion in sin perhaps because they find it hard to get to confession. Deaneries might consider staggering the hours of confession so that, if they can’t get to one church, they can access another.

To accomplish real change in faith in the Real Prescence, people need re-education. Tell stories about Eucharistic miracles and the danger to their souls if they receive communion without going to confession. Local conferences need to be held for this re-education project where travel is less than an hour. People need witness stories about how the Eucharist has affected their lives. We need to make people hungry for heavenly food. It’s not theology that is needed but explanations of how the Eucharist changes people who approach in faith versus habit or human respect. Pastors, be not afraid to speak the truth.