'As a Eucharistic people, we are a people of joy'

Intermountain Catholic

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In 2019 I had the great pleasure of beginning a friendship with someone making his first steps toward Catholicism from post-religious atheism, and since that time this person has continually surprised me with a seemingly unfailing capacity for joy. He experiences the ups and downs of life like anyone else, but the presence of joy in his life is so clear that it is impossible to imagine him without it. During these last several years he was baptized, and joy abounds in him more than ever.

Joy is hard to describe but easy to detect. A joyful person is characteristically a person whose grace flows effusively, a witness to the divine presence among us in the Holy Spirit. Sometimes we fall into the habit of thinking that grace is merely the special ingredient in what makes a saint or the personal territory of the Blessed Virgin Mary, so full of grace, but as Catholics we believe that grace and holiness are within the grasp of every person through our sacraments and more.

As my friend came closer to baptism, joy grew in him through his devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and in thanksgiving to the Holy Spirit at work in his conversion. Not only did I see enthusiasm develop in him, but also a real love of the faith in all its presentations: through sacred scripture, through the rituals of our liturgy, and especially through giving thanks that God was at work in him and drawing him to the faith. This movement of the Holy Spirit has continued after baptism, and now he lives his joy through a love of the Eucharist – both the Blessed Sacrament and the people of God responding to the call to live a sacramental life, a life with grace. To see his joy brings joy to many.

Stories like this are a powerful reminder of the way in which the Holy Spirit is at work in the Church. This story of joy during conversion is not unique, but it does highlight the beautiful interplay of life, joy and thanksgiving that is our living faith in the Eucharist.

Constantly refreshed and renewed, joy is nourished by the Holy Spirit, and our action of thanksgiving, the Eucharist, is at once the thanks and food that fuels a Catholic’s life. God has given us so much, and continues to bless us in so many ways, and so our stewardship and sharing of our gifts, of ourselves, is a particularly powerful expression of this joy. Jesus’ love for us in the Eucharist is mirrored by our love for him and for each other in the same Eucharistic thanksgiving and the joyful living that surrounds us.

As a diocese, a Eucharistic people, we are in the midst of a Eucharistic Revival and our Diocesan Congress this year has “Eucharist: Life, Joy, and Thanksgiving” as its theme. All are invited to participate in their own parishes, wherever they are. As a Eucharistic people, we are a people of joy, and gratitude, and service for one another. The story of one man’s conversion may inspire us today to ponder how joy is present in our lives, but the Eucharist is the touchstone of our lives as Catholics every day.

Fr. Christopher Gray is pastor of St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in Park City and point person for the Diocese of Salt Lake Eucharistic Revival committee.

Editor's note: The 2022 Diocesan Pastoral Congress will be Saturday, Sept. 17 at individual parishes. The keynote addresses will be livestreamed, and participants will be able to ask questions oft he presenters. Contact your parish for details for about time and location.