“Rediscovering the Eucharist: A Journey from Routine to Reverence”

I don’t know if it’s just me, but when I do something over and over again, I start to go through the motions without really thinking about it. And honestly, if someone tells me I have to do something, it can make me want to do it even less.

During my early days in seminary, we had a daily routine: pray together twice a day and attend Mass. Every. Single. Day. And yes, here I am, a priest, admitting that at the time, I wasn’t thrilled about going to daily Mass. I wanted to sleep in, plain and simple. But skipping wasn’t really an option. If you didn’t show up, they’d be knocking on your door, asking, “Where were you this morning?”

One day, a fellow seminarian from Vietnam, who struggled with English but was deeply dedicated, shared something with me that changed my perspective. He asked if I knew about Cardinal Van Thuan. I didn’t, but he went on to tell me about this incredible man—one of the most inspirational figures from Vietnam.

Cardinal Van Thuan was a man of incredible humility and faith. When the communists took over, they saw him as a threat and locked him up for 12 years—nine of those in solitary confinement. But he didn’t let that break him. Instead of losing hope, he found a way to celebrate Mass every day in that tiny cell. He memorized the Mass, crafted a simple crucifix, and kept a small pyx with the Eucharist close to his heart. With bread and wine smuggled in by friends, he used his hand as an altar, holding on to his unshakable belief that God was right there with him, especially through the Eucharist.

Hearing this story made me rethink my own attitude. Here I was, grumbling about daily Mass, while Cardinal Van Thuan clung to it as his lifeline in the darkest times. For him, the Eucharist wasn’t just a symbol—it was Jesus truly present, nourishing him spiritually and keeping his spirit alive through every trial. His deep love for the Eucharist even inspired some of his guards to convert, showing just how powerful that belief was.

Friends, for the past few weeks, we’ve been diving into the mystery of the Eucharist. We’ve talked about desire—how if we don’t desire to understand and love the Eucharist, we’ll never truly appreciate it. Elijah’s story from the first reading gives us a glimpse of how God nourishes us for our journey, just as He did for Elijah with that simple hearth cake. But what we receive in the Eucharist is far greater. It’s not just bread; it’s the lifeblood of God Himself, a profound source of spiritual nourishment that strengthens us for whatever lies ahead.

Jesus tells us, “I am the bread of life. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has life within them.” These aren’t just words. They’re an invitation to recognize the profound gift we’ve been given. When I think about Cardinal Van Thuan, I realize there’s no greater treasure than the Eucharist. It’s nourishment for our souls, a gift from heaven far greater than anything we could ever imagine.

So here we are, in our third week of reflecting on the Eucharist. Let’s not just go through the motions. Let’s ask God to deepen our desire, to help us see the Eucharist for what it truly is—a means of nourishment, a treasure to be cherished, and a reminder of God’s unending love for us.