Let the Revival Begin
“In the Eucharist, the Son of God comes to meet us and desires to become one with us; eucharistic adoration is simply the natural consequence of the eucharistic celebration. Receiving the Eucharist means adoring him whom we receive. Only in this way do we become one with him, and are given, as it were, a foretaste of the beauty of the heavenly liturgy” (Pope Benedict XVI).
Yearning for Truth and Community
Merriam-Webster defines “revival” as “an act or instance of reviving: the state of being revived: such as a period of religious interest: an often highly emotional evangelistic meeting or series of meetings.”
Asbury Revival: A chapel service started by college students that lasted two weeks and drew people to visit and experience community, worship, and faith.
“Jesus Revolution”: A film based on the true story of the 1970s religious movement in which young hippies in southern California experienced an encounter with Jesus Christ.
These two different revivals, which occurred about 50 years from each other, reveal a deep truth: We have an innate desire to be seen, known, and loved that only God can fulfill.
When the Asbury Revival went viral, much of the reporting highlighted that it was the students who continued the service with non-stop worship. These college students, whose high school experience was dominated by COVID and who are part of a less religious generation, have a hunger for community, relationships, and truth.
The late 1960s through the early 1970s was a period of social upheaval, with the Civil Rights movement, anti-war protests, and general confusion and distrust. The Jesus Revolution started in California and attracted members of the “hippie generation” who were looking for truth and love that would not fade and leave them unsatisfied.
A Healing Revival
Today, there is also a revival happening within the Catholic Church: a Eucharistic Revival. According to its official website, it is a grassroots movement of Catholics to “restore understanding and devotion to this great mystery … helping us to renew our worship of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.” In a time of much hurt, division, doubt, scandal, and disease, the only path of healing is through Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life.
Jesus created the Eucharist when he celebrated Passover and broke bread with his apostles, saying, “This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me” (Luke 22:19). A revival happens at each Mass as bread becomes the true body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ. Revival happens in Adoration chapels as we praise and worship the true presence of Jesus Christ. Our heart, soul, and mind can be healed, helping us to go from merely getting by to living a life of truth and freedom.
Healing comes from relationships with others and Christ. We cannot experience true transformation and healing in isolation, so Christ draws us into a relationship so that he can heal us. Christ desires us to be healed; he sees our hurt, division, doubt, scandal, and disease, and he wants more for us.
The Eucharist draws us into a relationship. In receiving the Eucharist, according to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, we “become united to the person of Christ through his humanity” and “united with his divinity.” Jesus wants us to be united to his human and divine natures. This unity both heals and transforms us.
The National Eucharistic Revival movement is a three-year event. Because forming a relationship takes time, the Church is helping us allow the Holy Spirit to move within us for learning, understanding, and renewal. This revival is a gift to turn our eyes, heart, mind, and soul to the person who is truth, beauty, and healing.
Revivals happen when the world is hurting and distant. They have big, high moments full of grace and mercy. But most usually have a dropping off period. There will be no dropping off period in a Eucharistic Revival, because the Eucharist has and will continue to transform us. We may have big, high moments that are followed by small, quiet moments. But it is often in those quiet, smaller moments when Christ does his best work.
During Adoration at a middle school retreat I volunteered at, the teens were invited to draw closer to the Monstrance and make an offering of some kind. A group of seventh- and eighth-grade boys drew closer and offered whatever was in their pockets: some coins, cash, and crackers.
That childlike faith is all that Jesus Christ is asking of us. He wants us to draw close and offer whatever is in our pockets. He will take what we give him to transform and heal us.
This revival is not a one-and-done or every-few-decades experience; it is a revival of relationship and healing, a revival that happens every day in Mass and Adoration chapels around the world. Empty your pockets and gaze at Jesus Christ; he is waiting to give you a smile and a hug. He is looking forward to a relationship with you.
Alexandra (Alex) Harrel resides in Irving, Texas. She is a new student affairs professional within the world of higher education. In her spare time, she loves reading, listening to podcasts, and spending time outdoors. Her favorite prayer is Hail, Holy Queen. You can follow her on Instagram at @2012alexandra.