Progressing, getting ahead, moving forward, making strides, taking the lead… We live in a society that is absolutely fascinated by forward motion. It’s a compliment: “He or she is a forward-thinker.” It’s a dream: “To discover the next great leap forward.” It’s a political campaign. It’s a moral condition: to move backward is basically considered sinful or just plain idiotic.
The question arises? What do we mean when we say forward? What’s the starting point? What’s the final goal? A bigger bank account, bigger car, faster computer, more “friends” on Facebook, louder applause, one more trophy? What type of progress are we willing to work for?
In today’s culture, the idea of personal growth is drastically undervalued; often, it’s seen as a waste of time or something from our naive ancestors. Usually, only exterior and more palpable progress is worth anything. The main difference between the two (material and spiritual) is that material progress remains outside of you. It will offer you certain positive sensations, yet it is always colored with a fleeting and inconsistent kind of occurrence. An interior progress, on the other hand, means that you are the one who is changed. Some inner gear within your heart has been serviced; some knot untied, some spot of weakness strengthened, some talent or gift lived out with greater fullness. While less palpable from the outside, this kind of growth is infinitely more satisfying and valuable.
Eucharistic Adoration – Reverse Momentum
In our spiritual life, we are incapable of making progress on our own. The necessity of Christ’s grace is experienced at its utmost intensity. In order to enter into his love, we must receive that very same love as a gift from his most generous Heart. This, then, is why any Catholic who has developed a basic level of spiritual sensibility is aware of his or her need for the Eucharistic Sacrament. The encounter there is one that brings about a real change in us. There, the direction “forward” finds its ultimate and most authentic meaning: to become like Christ.
“Material food first changes into the one who eats it, and then, as a consequence, restores to him lost strength and increases his vitality. Spiritual food, on the other hand, changes the person who eats it into itself. Thus the effect proper to this Sacrament is the conversion of a man into Christ, so that he may no longer live, but Christ lives in him; consequently, it has the double effect of restoring the spiritual strength he had lost by his sins and defects, and of increasing the strength of his virtues.” – St. Thomas, Commentary on Book IV of the Sentences, d.12, q.2, a.11
Catholic Books On Adoration
Christ, Science, and Reason: What We Can Know about Jesus, Mary, and Miracles by Fr. Spitzer
Cardiologist Examines Jesus: The Stunning Science Behind Eucharistic Miracles
Heavenly Hosts: Eucharistic Miracles for Kids (Catholic Stories for Kids)
The 7 Secrets of the Eucharist
Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist: Unlocking the Secrets of the Last Supper
The Lamb’s Supper: The Mass as Heaven on Earth
The Divine Encounter: Meeting Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration
Catholic Poetry To Use For After Communion Reflection
Facebook Pinterest Gmail LinkedIn Print Friendly Source of Life Your flesh dwells within me Your breath, my life now be My heart with one accord Receiveth Thy Holy Word Overabundant be Thy Grace In the Holy Eucharist I now face All contained within suffice To sustain me for this life And upon death’s calling The […]
What Does Jesus Do In The Eucharist?
Facebook Pinterest Gmail LinkedIn Print Friendly “What does Jesus Christ do in the Eucharist? It is God who, as our Savior, offers himself each day for us to his Father’s justice. If you are in difficulties and sorrows, he will comfort and relieve you. If you are sick, he will either cure you or give […]
The Purpose Of Every Consecrated Host
Facebook Pinterest Gmail LinkedIn Print Friendly Every Consecrated Host is made to burn Itself up with love in a human heart. – St. John Vianney Subscribe To Our Weekly Newsletter!Our weekly email newsletter includes links to our seasonal content so you can stay connected to the Church’s liturgical seasons and find simple ways to celebrate […]
All That Is Good In Me Is Because Of Holy Communion
Facebook Pinterest Gmail LinkedIn Print Friendly “All the good that is in me is due to Holy Communion. I owe everything to it. I feel this holy fire has transformed me completely.” – St. Faustina Subscribe To Our Weekly Newsletter!Our weekly email newsletter includes links to our seasonal content so you can stay connected to […]
Where Can You Get The Energy Needed To Fight Inner Battles?
Facebook Pinterest Gmail LinkedIn Print Friendly “With all the strength of my soul, I urge you, young people, to approach the Communion table as often as you can. Feed on this bread of angels whence you will draw all the energy you need to fight inner battles. Because true happiness, dear friends, does not consist […]
The Real Presence In The Eucharist
Facebook Pinterest Gmail LinkedIn Print Friendly Real Presence In the celebration of the Eucharist, bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit and the instrumentality of the priest. The whole Christ is truly present—body, blood, soul, and divinity—under the appearances of bread and wine, the […]
8 Ways To Pray During Adoration
Facebook Pinterest Gmail LinkedIn Print Friendly 8 Ways To Pray During Adoration More Adoration Resources Christ, Science, and Reason: What We Can Know about Jesus, Mary, and Miracles by Fr. Spitzer Cardiologist Examines Jesus: The Stunning Science Behind Eucharistic Miracles 33 Days to Eucharistic Glory Heavenly Hosts: Eucharistic Miracles for Kids (Catholic Stories for […]
Do Not Get So Absorbed With Work That You Forget God | St. Faustina
Facebook Pinterest Gmail LinkedIn Print Friendly “I will not allow myself to be so absorbed in the whirlwind of work as to forget about God. I will spend all my free moments at the feet of the Master hidden in the Blessed Sacrament. He has been tutoring me from my most tender years.” – St. […]
How To Be An Image Of God | St. Edith Stein
Facebook Pinterest Gmail LinkedIn Print Friendly In order to be an image of God, the spirit must turn to what is eternal, hold it in spirit, keep it in memory, and by loving it, embrace it in the will. – St. Edith Stein *Amazon Affiliate links help the ministry of Catholic-Link at no additional cost […]
What Does The Word “Eucharist” Means?
Facebook Pinterest Gmail LinkedIn Print Friendly The Meaning Of Eucharist Subscribe To Our Weekly Newsletter!Our weekly email newsletter includes links to our seasonal content so you can stay connected to the Church’s liturgical seasons and find simple ways to celebrate them and grow in holiness. SUBSCRIBE! Thank you for subscribing!
