Be open to the Lord's presence

Thousands attend Eucharistic Congress Holy Hour

CHARLOTTE — Following the largest Eucharistic Procession since 2015, the faithful gathered for the opening Holy Hour of the 19th annual Eucharistic Congress in Charlotte on Saturday, Sept. 9.

To a standing-room only congregation of nearly 10,000, Father Matthew Kauth, rector of St. Joseph College Seminary, delivered a Holy Hour homily focused on what it means to be present and growing our sensitivity to Jesus’ Real Presence in the Eucharist.

His comments were shaped by the Gospel reading about Jesus’ presence on the Road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35) and how the disciples sensed that they didn’t want Jesus to leave, despite not recognizing Him as Jesus until He departed from them.

First, Father Kauth spoke of the nuances of being truly present.

“There are thousands of people here, and my eyes see you. Your eyes see me. Our bodies are confronting each other and yet we know all too well the kind of presence that you and I long for requires more than bodily presence,” Father Kauth said. “We are not cattle feeding on the same hill. The only way that you ever feel like you’re with someone and present to them is if they know you, if they regard you, if they love you.”

He also noted that St. Thomas Aquinas describes three ways in which God is present with us: in His knowing, in His power, and by His essence.

Yet, too often we do not know Him, Father Kauth added while mentioning a fourth presence – grace.

After Jesus’ death, He gives us His Body, His Presence, but only those who participate in His love are sensitive to it, Father Kauth said.

“There was one who was very sensitive to it. She was called full of grace,” he added. “He didn’t need to wish that the Lord is with you, because it was a statement of fact. She was sensitive to the Body of Christ.”

Then Father Kauth noted how the Eucharistic Congress helps the faithful cultivate sensitivity to Jesus’ presence – Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity – in the Blessed Sacrament.

“You and I just did a procession. We did not worship like the angels – we are humans, so that means we have bodies. We walked the streets with the Body of Christ. We worshiped Him because we know Him. We are sensitive to His Eucharistic Presence, and we love Him.”

He continued, “Why is it that our diocese is so blessed? Why are we so graced? I guess maybe because we do what we just did. We throw ourselves at Him in recognition and we say 'I love you. With my body, I adore You.’”

— Annie Ferguson. Photos by Troy Hull, David Puckett and Patrick Schneider Photography