Keep Christ in Christianity 

   I was sitting in adoration this morning before the Blessed Sacrament worshipping my Lord in the Holy Eucharist and it occurred to me that more and more Catholics no longer believe in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist.  Without the real presence, of what use is a wafer of unleavened bread?  As Flannery O’Conner once wisely said, “If it’s just a symbol, to Hell with it.”

   But the problem doesn’t stop with a lack of faith in the real presence.  I believe there is a lack of Christ in much of what passes for Christianity these days.  When was the last time your priest spoke about the reality of Christ within us or in the Holy Eucharist?  Do they ever mention sin and the ultimate result of unrepentant and unforgiven sin?  Do they ever speak to the evils of abortion or euthanasia or any of the wickedness so prevalent in society today?

   If the answer is never or rarely there is a problem in your church.  If we are not being taught of Christ, in us and in the world, we are being misled.  If we are more concerned with making sure we offend no one rather than preaching Christ and His truths we are misleading others.

   More and more people are checking the “none” box when surveyed about religious affiliation.  Until we again make Jesus the focus of Christianity, confronting evil wherever possible, and proudly proclaiming our faith, the number who check the “none” box will continue to grow.  Without Christ there is no Christianity.