I Take Off the Mask

According to the Catholic Church, Jesus gives Himself to us in the Eucharist—not just spiritually but bodily and sacramentally —because He wants to be as close to us as possible, in the fullest way possible: body, blood, soul, and divinity. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) teaches: “In the most blessed sacrament of the Eucharist ‘the body and blood, together with the soul and divinity, of our Lord Jesus Christ and, therefore, the whole Christ is truly, really, and substantially contained’” (CCC 1374). Here are a few key reasons why the Eucharist is more than just a spiritual reception: 1. Jesus Commanded It At the Last Supper, Jesus didn’t say, “Remember me in your hearts.” He said: “Take, eat; this is my body… Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the new covenant…” (Matthew 26:26–28) And He followed this by saying: “Do this in memory of me” (Luke 22:19). The Church has always understood this not merely as symbolic but as a real offering and command to receive ...

The Catholic Church’s teachings on LGBT issues, particularly its stance on homosexual marriages, can sometimes be a source of deep pain and confusion, especially for parents of transgender and gay children. It is understandable that some parents might feel that the Church is judging or condemning their children, but it is essential to understand that the Church’s teachings, though often difficult to reconcile with contemporary views, are rooted in love—a love that extends to all people, including transgender children. The Church’s Teachings and the Dignity of the Human Person At the heart of the Church’s teachings is the belief in the inherent dignity of every human being, created in the image and likeness of God. This belief is central to Catholic doctrine and forms the basis of the Church’s approach to all moral and social issues. While the Church upholds a traditional understanding of marriage as a union between a man and a woman, it also affirms that every person, regardless of the...