Bishop Daly: ‘The Joy of the Eucharist’
The Joy of the Eucharist
A pastoral reflection on the Most Holy Body and Blood of Jesus Christ
Introduction
The seventeenth-century priest and advocate for the poor, St. Vincent de Paul, once said, “The Hand of God is always outstretched for those who wish to grasp it.”
The image of an outstretched hand is foundational to understanding who God is. Michelangelo's depiction on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in The Creation of Adam, Jesus' swift hand to a drowning Peter, and even the arm-like columns at St. Peter’s Square, which embrace pilgrims, welcoming them to the Eternal City, all serve as powerful reminders of God’s outstretched hand.
The hand of God is perpetually outstretched because he is invitatory by nature. Man was created by love and for love, and since God is Love (1 John 4:8), the fulfillment of all human desire is to live in a loving relationship with God. Indeed, “God, infinitely perfect and blessed in himself, in a plan of sheer goodness, freely created man to make him share in his own blessed life.” (CCC 1) Yet our sin can deceive us into thinking there are better invitations elsewhere.
The human heart can spend a lifetime seeking to fulfill that divine hunger for things or people other than God. Careers, disordered relationships, pleasure, material goods or determination in one’s own will often provide some satisfaction, or the heart would not be drawn to them. However, in time, they will never satiate the thirst for God, the only source of true fulfillment and contentment.
The life of Jesus Christ became a crucial moment in history because God’s outstretched hand took on human flesh (John 1:14). St. Catherine of Siena describes it as a bridge built between God and man. Through Jesus Christ, man can be reunited with the Love for which he was created. Jesus—who is God—does not simply provide a bridge; he is the bridge—a bridge that crosses the divide of sin and death with his outstretched arms on the cross.
As part of his Father’s plan for salvation, Jesus knew that he had to endure death, resurrection and ascension into heaven. Thus, his physical presence on Earth would be different moving forward.
He calls together all men, scattered and divided by sin, into the unity of his family, the Church. To accomplish this, when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son as Redeemer and Savior. In his Son and through him, he invites men to become, in the Holy Spirit, his adopted children and thus heirs of his blessed life. (CCC 1)
At our diocesan Eucharistic congress, Expo '23, our guest speaker, Dr. Mary Healy, spoke about God’s two-fold plan of presence with us. He sent an advocate, the Holy Spirit, to be with and guide us, especially in evangelization. He also gave us his Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity in the Eucharist to nourish our souls and be physically present among us.
So it was “[o]n the day before he was to suffer, he took bread in his holy and venerable hands, and with eyes raised to heaven to you, O God, his almighty Father, giving you thanks he said the blessing, broke the bread and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take this, all of you, and eat of it: for this is my body which will be given up for you.” (Institution Narrative, Eucharistic Prayer I)
Jesus’ Real Presence in the Eucharist is central to how we worship God as Catholics and commune with him at Holy Mass every Sunday. Worshipping and receiving Jesus in the Eucharist at Holy Mass is the summit of what it means for man to embrace God's outstretched hand during our earthly pilgrimage.
It is no surprise that my brother bishops and I were alarmed when, in 2019, the Pew Research Center released the now-infamous study claiming that only one-third of American Catholics believed that Jesus Christ is truly present in the Eucharist. While many baptized Catholics know about Jesus, the study exposed a crisis: many did not know Jesus. This prompted a response.
It quickly became the preeminent issue for the American bishops for a time. Before long, the National Eucharistic Revival was born from the U.S. Bishops' Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis. I was honored to sit on the advisory committee for the Revival from its beginning to the Congress in July 2024.
The National Eucharistic Congress was a historic and inspirational moment for the Church in America. It was also a moment of healing and unity for our Church. I experienced a profound sense of joy, not only in myself but also among the 50,000 pilgrims present. That joy has stayed with me since then, and is one that can only come from Jesus in the Eucharist, who sustains us all on our pilgrim journey.
The vision of the National Eucharistic Revival is “[t]o inspire a movement of Catholics across the United States who are healed, converted, formed, and unified by an encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist—and who are then sent out on mission for the life of the world.”
In this reflection, I hope to expand on my 2020 pastoral letter, The Most Holy Eucharist, by reflecting on the mission of the National Eucharistic Revival, how the fruit of Eucharistic healing, conversion, formation, unification, and missionary action is joy, and the possibilities of how we might all live this out in our diocese, parishes, schools and homes. Our Eucharistic Lord waits with outstretched hands in the Tabernacle, the monstrance, and at Holy Mass for you and me.
Eucharistic Conversion
Defining an idea or term can often be helpful by describing what it is not. The story of the Rich Young Man in the Gospels shows us what conversion is not. Immediately after blessing a group of small children, a man approached Jesus and asked:
Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?” he answered him, “Why do you ask me about the good? There is only One who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” he asked him, “Which ones?” And Jesus replied, “ ‘You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; honor your father and your mother’; and ‘you shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” The young man said to him, “All of these I have observed. What do I still lack? (Matt. 19:16-20)
As products of American culture, we can often fall victim to living a discounted discipleship that focuses on productive actions and asking similar questions as the man in the Gospel. The Christian is undoubtedly called to follow the Ten Commandments and be Christ to others, but we are mistaken if we view that as an end in itself.
Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many possessions. (Matt. 19:21-22)
The young man shows us that it is possible to do all the “right things” and yet not allow Jesus to be Lord over every aspect of one’s life. While many of us may not be financially prosperous, we may be “rich” in our own will for our lives or our time. The word "conversion" originates from the Latin word conversio, meaning "to turn around." The young man was invited to turn around and surrender his life and will to the God who created him. In declining Jesus’ invitation, he persisted in his own will, relied on his wealth for security, and continued on his way. Doing the Lord’s work and doing the Lord’s will are not always the same.
Reflect: Do I know Jesus, or do I just know about Jesus? Is Jesus the Lord over every aspect of my life? If not, where might Jesus be asking me to surrender, as he asked of the young man? What is one way that I can invite Jesus to be closer to the center of my life? Am I living my will or God’s will for my life? Does living my faith in action flow first from my relationship with Jesus?
Eucharistic Healing
Over half a million hopeful pilgrims travel to Lourdes, France, each year, seeking healing. Since the original apparitions in the 1850s, only 72 authentic miracles have been confirmed. Those who have been there can attest that while physical healings are rare, spiritual healings at Lourdes are abundant.
It can be easy to focus on physical healing alone and be discouraged. However, for those who have been physically healed, the simultaneous healing of the heart or soul is often mentioned as the truly life-changing part of the story. When an individual is suffering physically, it is still possible to have a joyful mind and soul. Yet, when one's soul or mind is hurting, the body finds it nearly impossible to exude joy. One can see why the Divine Physician might be more inclined towards matters of the heart.
Jesus gave us the Sacraments of Healing to address these wounds. When we are physically unwell or nearing our death, a priest may bless us, anoint our head and hands with oil and give us Communion in the Sacrament of Anointing or Viaticum.
For healing of the heart, Jesus wants to unburden our hearts that have been wounded by our sins and the sins of others. Some tell us that sin does not exist or that our sins do not matter. In reality, sin is real, and should not be taken lightly:
Sin is, before all else, an offense against God, a rupture of communion with him. At the same time, it damages communion with the Church. For this reason, conversion entails God's forgiveness and reconciliation with the Church, expressed and accomplished liturgically by the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation. (CCC 1440)
Going to Confession can be scary. You may feel ashamed if it has been a while or if you are unsure of what to do. I can attest that our priests are willing and ready to welcome you to the confessional. This is a crucial aspect of their vocation, and they can guide you to the freedom found in Christ’s mercy. If possible, pray before Jesus in the Eucharist (in adoration or the Tabernacle) before going to Confession; he wants to provide peace to restless hearts and guidance in reflection.
Healing begins with repentance…As you stand before God in truth and hope and joy and peace and confidence…do not despair and do not get lost in yourself but lost in [God] because he made the promise [of forgiveness], which is true. We can be a people who repent with courage and joy. What a contradiction. (Sister Josephine Garrett, CSFN; keynote address, National Eucharistic Congress, 2024)
Reflect: When was the last time I went to Confession? Has anything kept me from going to Confession? Have I ever justified my sins and thus not taken them to the mercy of Jesus? Have I prayed with Jesus before the Blessed Sacrament about my brokenness, shortcomings, and sins, giving him time and space to speak to my heart?
Eucharistic Formation
In the Jewish tradition, a rabbi typically has talmidim, or apprentices, who study under him. These young men spent hours daily with the rabbi, taking in his every move and adopting his way of life. Theologian Dr. Edward Sri notes that some apprentices followed their rabbi so closely that they became “covered in the dust of the rabbi,” kicked up by his sandals.
Jesus was also referred to as a rabbi and teacher. Like his contemporaries, he had a band of disciples, the Apostles, and—more intently—Peter, James and John. These men were likely covered in his dust, later becoming the first Pope, a great missionary to the “ends of the earth,” and the caretaker of the Blessed Mother.
A key aspect of living as a disciple of Jesus is being an apprentice of him. If we wish to be formed by him, we must be as near to him as possible. As Catholics, we have an immense opportunity to grow in our discipleship with Jesus in a very tangible way through the Eucharist. He has given us himself in the Eucharist as a perpetual Emmanuel, God with us.
It can be challenging to hear the voice of God when our world is filled with so much noise. Spending some quiet prayer time before Jesus in the Eucharist can be life-changing. Whether we leave prayer with new revelations or simply sit in his presence, we will be formed in his ways. It can be said that we are each a mix of our five closest friends. So, with Jesus, the more time we spend with him, the more we will be like him. Jesus even tells us, “whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him” (John 6:56)
Reflect: Does the Eucharist and the Holy Mass form me? If not, why? Does anything directly or indirectly form me that is not of Jesus? Do my actions leading up to Mass prepare my heart and body to receive Jesus? Do I visit Jesus in the Tabernacle or when my parish offers Eucharistic adoration? Could I give one hour a week to praying with Jesus in the Eucharist?
Eucharistic Unity
The Holy Mass is one of the greatest unitive prayers we can participate in as Catholics. At Mass, the entire parish community gathers to worship Jesus. We on earth are united with angels and saints at the altar—heaven. We each become united with Christ as we receive him in the Eucharist.
In light of this, the Mass can often be called the “wedding feast of the Lamb” (Rev. 19:9). In a mystical way, the Body of Christ (the Church) and the Body of Christ (Jesus) are united in the Mass in a real and tangible way through the reception of Communion. Receiving the Eucharist at Mass is a public profession of our unity with him. This is why the Church encourages those in a state of mortal sin to refrain from receiving the Eucharist until they have received the mercy of Christ in Confession.
While the Mass gives us a foretaste of the perfect union we hope to experience in heaven, we should not be surprised to experience imperfect unions and division during our time here on earth. The division we experience outside and even inside the Church today is not new. Although we are not made for division, the early church experienced it as such:
I urge you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and in the same purpose. For it has been reported to me about you, my brothers, by Chloe’s people, that there are rivalries among you. I mean that each of you is saying, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? (1 Corinthians 1:10-13)
So, too, today, we are not baptized in the name of religious “social justice” or “traditionalism,” nor in the name of “liberal catholicism” or “conservative catholicism.” Instead, we are baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
While our views and preferences might differ drastically from other members of the baptized Body of Christ, we know that if all else fails, we can rally around one fact of our belief: that the Eucharist is truly the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ.
Jesus tells us that “if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.” (Mark 3:25). It is a task for the Christian to fight for unity, especially within the Bride of Christ, the Church. This does not mean heresy should be accepted or obedience ignored. The Eucharist must be where bridges begin to be built to others. It is through the Body of Christ (Jesus in the Eucharist) that the Body of Christ (The Church) becomes one flesh. “So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, no human being must separate.” (Matt. 19:6)
For all 50,000 present at the Congress, we experienced this kind of unity as we gathered together for Eucharistic adoration every day in Lucas Oil Stadium. There were no theological debates or discussions; instead, there was pure adoration and worship directed to our Eucharistic Lord. This was indeed a foretaste of heaven.
Reflect: Have I ever received the Eucharist at Mass while in a state of mortal sin? In my discussions with others, have I allowed minor theological differences to create major divisions among my friends, family, or others in the Body of Christ? Does my political affiliation inform my discipleship with Jesus, or does my discipleship with Jesus inform my political worldview? Do I take time to seek first to understand someone else’s perspective?
Eucharistic Mission
In the months leading up to the Congress, four pilgrimages commenced Eucharistic processions from the country's four regions, culminating in Indianapolis, where the Congress was held. The northern route started in Minnesota, the eastern route in Maryland, the southern route in Texas, and the western route in California.
For weeks, hundreds of thousands of people participated in these processions, far more than those who attended the Congress in person. Some people walked for an hour, while others walked for days. It was a movement of the entire Church in the United States towards Jesus Christ at her center.
Each route arrived in Indianapolis around the same time and convened across the street from the convention center at St. John the Evangelist Church, where perpetual adoration was held throughout the Congress. A Church dedicated to the Evangelist reminds us that the Church exists to spread the Gospel. For those who attended, it could be easy to feel like St. Peter at the Transfiguration, saying, “Lord, it is good for us to be here.” It was good to be gathered there, but we were not made to stay there.
“If a Eucharistic revival is going to be effective,” Sister Josephine Garrett said in her keynote, “it needs to stand on two legs: devotion to the Eucharist and repentance.” Once each of us, as members of the Body of Christ, can stand on those two legs, we must let the Holy Spirit move those legs as missionaries into our homes, neighborhoods, parishes, schools, and workplaces.
While the Congress was a national gathering to nourish the Catholic Church in the United States for mission, let us not forget that weekly Mass at our parish serves this exact purpose locally. In the context of our neighborhood church, we can strengthen our “legs” of Eucharistic devotion and joyful repentance by receiving Jesus and being sent out on mission.
With this missional vision in mind, the Revival has issued the Walk with One initiative, encouraging all Catholics to go on mission by accompanying just one person in their faith journey to Jesus. While the Revival provides excellent resources on how to do this, we must never forget that he has sent the Holy Spirit to guide all evangelization efforts and the Eucharist to sustain us in them.
Reflect: Have I encountered Jesus Christ in a way that I am compelled to share him with others? Do I have any fears about sharing my faith with others? Do I need to spend more time in prayer with Jesus or go to Confession to be fueled for evangelization? Is there just one person in my life that Jesus is asking me to accompany on their journey to him? In collaboration with my pastor, how can I help bring Eucharistic Revival into my parish community?
Conclusion
The National Eucharistic Revival has been a significant moment for the Church in the United States. It has led us to reflect on our relationship with Jesus in the Eucharist and on how to deepen our devotion and love for him. It is foremost an invitation from our Lord Jesus to each of us.
Many people spend their whole lives seeking to fill the void of their hearts with money, pleasure and the like. Jesus has given us himself as the true and only One to fill that void, a void which hungers for God. If we have been blessed enough to experience the radiating joy found in Jesus Christ, it is our duty as the baptized to be heralds of this good news to those who do not know him. If we have yet to encounter this joy in Jesus Christ, his Eucharistic hand is “always outstretched for those who wish to grasp it.”
The Eucharistic Revival is less about launching new catechetical programs or events and more about becoming the people Jesus is calling us to be: entirely his. As these years of National Eucharistic Revival formally commence and we look towards the future, I pray that you may reach out to God's outstretched hand and be healed, converted, formed, unified, and sent on mission in Eucharistic joy.
+Thomas A. Daly
Bishop of Spokane
June 22, 2025, Corpus Christi Sunday
