Recall in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) 143, the human part of faith has two components, the intellect and the will. In my previous column, I wrote how the Real Presence can be addressed intellectually. In this article, I will attempt to address the will.

A way to understand that the will must be a part of faith is from an example in Scripture.

“And in the synagogue, there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon; and he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Ah! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.’ But Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘Be silent, and come out of him!’ And when the demon had thrown him down in their midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm.” (Luke 4:33-35).

Clearly the demon has a full intellect of Jesus. We know that demons are not going to heaven, and you certainly wouldn’t say they have faith even though they know Jesus Christ. With respect to their will, it is not missing. It is that they have chosen not to (ever) give their will over to God. Therefore, their faith is dead.

Our will regarding the Eucharist. Recall we are body/spirit (soul) creatures. Because of the Fall, our bodies and soul are in conflict, more often than we like to admit. As a result, our will can obey the passions (feelings or desires) instead of the intellect.

We read in CCC 1865, “Sin creates a proclivity to sin; it engenders vice by repetition of the same acts. This results in perverse inclinations which cloud conscience and corrupt the concrete judgment of good and evil. Thus, sin tends to reproduce itself and reinforce itself.”

Circling back to St. Thomas’ comment relating faith and sin in the Gospel of John, “Now sin, for example, original sin, and in some persons actual sin, is the cause why we are not enlightened by God through faith. This cause is in everyone.”

Our sin impacts our will and thus diminishes our faith.

To a person who knows Church teaching on Real Presence, which would seem they are intellectually aware of it, yet doesn’t believe in Real Presence, which according to the Pew Research Center survey is up to one-quarter of respondents, it would follow that their will is what is inhibiting their faith.  

Following this up with St. Thomas’ linking the lack of faith due to sin along with CCC 1865, it seems like the logical question to ask is, “When was the last time you’ve gone to confession?”

Again, we have what might be called one of those supercharged questions.

“This is a hard saying, who can listen to it? … After this many of his disciples drew back and no longer walked with him (Jesus).” (John 6:60, 66)

Note how Christ throughout his Bread of Life discourse did not attempt to rephrase His words to clear up any misunderstanding. This at least indicates that He was not speaking metaphorically; He meant what He said about his Body and Blood being real food and drink. He would be likewise unequivocal when He instituted the Sacrament of the Eucharist at the Last Supper.

What does Peter do when asked by Jesus about leaving Him? Peter doesn’t say that he understands it all. It isn’t likely Peter understood what Jesus just said any more than those who left. Nor does Peter ridicule the people who don’t understand and left Jesus.

Peter, using his intellect and will, demonstrates his faith in Jesus. He replies, “You (Jesus) have the words of eternal life; and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:68-69). (Note the “Holy One of God” said by Peter is the same said by the demon in the quote from Luke above.)

Everyone’s faith journey is different. I can think of two things you can do to help your fellow Catholic or non-Catholic on their path of faith in Real Presence.

First, be thoughtful and considered when talking Real Presence. It’ll take practice on what to say and when to say it. Let the Holy Spirit guide you. Second, live a Eucharistic life. Be prepared to testify how the Eucharist is your “daily” bread that feeds and fuels your spiritual life.