The Eucharist and Transformation in Christ

On April 29, Brother Damian Whalen, O.S.B., led the last of the spring Days of Reflection at Saint Gregory’s Abbey entitled: “Transformation in Christ,” teaching how to become conformed to the image of Christ through the Eucharist, Scripture reading and sharing in the sufferings of Christ.

“We have been created in the image of God. We are called to full flowering of that image … we are called to full stature of Christ,” spoke Brother Damian.

He challenged the participants to reflect on the deeper meaning of being a Christian, being Christ-centered and Christ-like. He explained, “Being a Christian means to live our lives like Christ, with the attitude of Christ and with the heart of Christ … It means to make our lives centered on him, not on ourselves.” 

Emphasizing practical aspects of turning away from self-centeredness to Christ-centeredness, Brother Damian stressed, “The Eucharist is the foundation of our sacramental and moral transformation and the greatest gift that enables us to become Christ-like.”

He continued, “Being transformed into Christ means, to become one of heart with Jesus in all religious practices, rituals and sacramentals we observe.” 

The conference talks aimed at providing practical ways of encountering Christ in three main areas by: becoming more attuned to the silent voice of God when meditating on his living word in the Holy Scripture, being open to the gentle touch of his love in the Holy Communion and bearing sufferings in union with Christ. 

Brother Damian explained that suffering is one of the ways God uses to “prune” and strengthen and enable his people to become Christ-like by sharing in sufferings with Christ. To allow Jesus to transform one’s heart means to respond to suffering with patient endurance and humble and obedient surrender to God’s holy will. 

He also accentuated the importance of Lectio Divina (reading and pondering on God’s words in the attitude of listening). Encouraging the participants, he stressed, “God speaks very clearly, but very softly. We need to take time to listen to him. If you don’t take advantage to listen to the word of God, you can’t encounter him.” 

Speaking about the Eucharist as the best and greatest way of becoming transformed in Christ, Brother Damian highlighted, “In the Eucharist we partake in the self-giving love of Jesus for us, and we also receive the grace that makes us capable of imitating his love in our words, thoughts and deeds … By receiving Jesus’ body and blood, we become both divinized as human beings and we become like Christ himself.”

The attendees were enthused to actively participate in the open discussions and share experiences about the transforming power of the Eucharist and Holy Scripture in their lives.

Michael Duane from the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine in Oklahoma City stated, “To me, being transformed in Christ means above all to have the full faith in Christ’s sublime love that consumes me.” He shared, “The Eucharist is eternal life within our grasp. We need to approach it with an open heart, and the mind will follow to better understand this sacred mystery.”

Emily Blount from Saint Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Oklahoma City said, “I’m not a Catholic yet. I came to this retreat to learn more about Christ as I prepare for RCIA. One of transforming experiences in my spiritual life though was my cancer journey … The suffering I went through helped me come back to Jesus and rediscover my faith in him.”

Speaking about the meaning of being transformed in Christ, she elaborated, “Living Christ-centered life gives us the foundation of Christian virtues: patience, kindness, love, and enables us to be a light to the world, to other Christians and those who don’t know Christ yet.”

Inspired by Brother Damian, the participants were eager to go forth and share the acquired knowledge and experience of the retreat with other Catholics and Christians, as they pondered the reflection questions of the day:
“What are the practices that help you in living a Christ-like life?”
“What keeps you from living a more Christ-centered life?”
“How can your sufferings serve to make you more Christ-like?”
“How do you prepare to receive Jesus in the Eucharist, more than just automatically?”
“What could you do to receive your Eucharistic Lord more attentively and devoutly?”

Jad Ziolkowska is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.