Transubstantiation
Jesus is the true bread of life. Transubstantiation is the conversion of the substance of the Eucharistic elements into the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ during Holy Mass at consecration, with only the appearances of bread and wine still remaining. Consider the bread of life discourse in the Gospel of John 6:22-59. Jesus says, “I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you do not have any life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day.” When the crowd murmured and expressed disgust, did Jesus issue a retraction? No, he only reiterated His message. Where would we turn if not to Jesus?
Reconciliation
Many non-Catholics argue, I will not seek forgiveness from another man. But they are missing the true meaning of Jesus’ call to us. God knows that we are sinful beings and we need a tangible way to wipe our slate clean. Jesus did not simply come to earth, only to depart in 33 years time. What happened when Jesus appeared to the Disciples after His resurrection? He said to them: “As the Father has sent me, so I send you…Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” (John 20:21-23). Again, where in scripture does Jesus say, ‘you humans have no right or power to forgive sins’? He never said it. The power of reconciliation will change your life.
Saintly Intercession
To be a declared Saint, is to live one’s life at the pinnacle of the Catholic faith. We often ask our friends or family to ‘pray for us’. Why wouldn’t we do the same with the communion of Saints? Or the Virgin Mary? After all, we know they are close to Jesus in Heaven. Would we not want to find every advantage that will lead us to Heaven? Saints are real and they are in Heaven. We should view this as a game changer in our lives.
