Why I'm Still a Catholic - 1/26/2026

This morning, I'd like to share, in the simplest way I can, why I'm still a Catholic. Why am I back to this church, and not some other? Aren't there hundreds of other choices?

I'm not going to use this post to make an argument or tally all the Church's merits and demerits. Let someone else do that. This isn't a scripture vs. tradition post. It's not a faith vs. works argument. It's not to address prayer to Mary or the Saints. None of that. For me, there is one, unavoidable reason I'm here and can't be somewhere else. If you do not share this belief with me, I do believe you CAN, and if you're reading this, very likely that you WILL enjoy the fruits of Jesus' messianic, salvific work. Yes, you can and will get to Heaven without it, but I can't and won't live here on Earth without it. Without what?

The Eucharist.

So Jesus said to them: "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you." Jn 6:53

Is it a hard saying, one that challenges our human sensibilities? Sure. After His Bread of Life Discourse, some murmured and walked away. Jesus challenged the Apostles, why not join them? St. Peter answered, paraphrasing, "But where else can we go? You alone have the words of eternal life." So, when Jesus tells us, in His own words, that the bread and wine really become His Body and His Blood, I take Him at His word. Period.

In the 3 Synoptic Gospels and one of St. Paul's Epistles, too, Jesus' words command us to partake of it. He commissions the Apostles to go out and "Do this in memory of Me."

"Do this in memory of Me." - The command is repeated in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, and also in St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians.

I recognize many good, stalwart Christians, persons of deep faith, do not share my understanding of and belief in the Eucharist as the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of our Lord, Jesus Christ. I read Jesus' explanation in the Gospel of John, Chapter 6, and I believe Him. That's it. I don't know of too many other specific commands Jesus gave us that warrant a beautiful and compelling explanation like the one He gives us in John, and which also warrant the command to partake of it being repeated in 4 different books of the Bible. Even the Lord's Prayer, which all Christians share, is in two books.

So, that's the answer. Why am I (still) Catholic? The Eucharist. It's real. I believe it. Who told me it is real? Jesus. I will not murmur and walk away from it. It is a centerpiece and focal point of my faith as put into practice. It is why, more than anything else, I will try my best not to miss Mass. Even if my Sunday is blessed to enjoy a beautiful service and beautiful preaching in your church with you on a given Sunday, I will find time and a way to get to Mass on that day, in obedience to the command of my Lord and my God, Jesus. It's that important to me.

Have a great day, friends. May God bless you all.