Detroit, MI

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This report comes from team leader Mark with the Eastern Market SPSE team in Detroit, MI:

I had a lengthy conversation with Devon, a young man who was raised Baptist but doesn’t consistently go to church. I asked him about his opinions of the Catholic Church and he was neutral. I told him about the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, that Jesus Himself says that the bread and wine are transformed into His True Body and True Blood. I referred to the Bread of Life discourse in John 6 as well as the Last Supper. Devon laughed and repeatedly yelled “that’s weird!” I responded, “even if it seems weird, it’s still true because Jesus says it’s true.” The look on his face gradually became much more serious.

I continued and talked about John 6:52, shortly after the multiplication of loaves, followers questioned “how can this man give us his flesh to eat?” Jesus only affirmed this difficult teaching despite their doubt. Later, in verse 66, many followers ultimately left Jesus because they wouldn’t accept the Truth. I also drew a connection to the Passover, how the ancient Jews had to consume the Passover lamb after it was sacrificed. The sacrifice was not complete until they ate the lamb! Likewise, Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, was sacrificed on Passover and we have to consume His Body in order to be saved.

Devon went on to talk about how he wanted to visit a church to pray on this and I pointed out one within walking distance that is open 12 hours a day. He said that he was living on his own in the city for now but wants to move back to a suburb with his parents. I pointed out a large, faithful parish close to his parents’ home and recommended that he check it out.

Praised be Jesus Christ!