Pop-Up Catechesis: The Eucharist and What We Crave

Pop-Up Catechesis with Joe Paprocki

Researchers tell us that the majority of us experience regular cravings for specific foods. It’s important to remember, however, that hunger and cravings are not synonymous. The former is driven by the body, while the latter is driven by the mind. Hunger seeks to satisfy a physical need; a craving seeks to satisfy an emotional one. That’s why cravings are not limited to food. We can find ourselves craving any and all of the following: power, possessions, sex, a drink, friendship, novelty, intimacy, contentment, fun, pleasure, or adventure, just to name a few. The bottom line is that cravings seek to fulfill a sense of incompleteness. While hunger is utilitarian (for survival), cravings are for satisfaction: to fill a fundamental lack, flaw, or sense of inadequacy. Typically, our attempts to fulfill these cravings result in temporary satisfaction. Our faith tells us that, at our deepest level, we are incapable of satisfying such cravings and that God alone completes us. In this episode of Pop-Up Catechesis, we explore how the Eucharist truly satisfies the “hungry heart.”

For more information about the Eucharist, check out the following links:

And for a bit of fun, here’s “Hungry Heart” by Bruce Springsteen.

About Joe Paprocki 2742 Articles
Joe Paprocki, DMin, is National Consultant for Faith Formation at Loyola Press, where, in addition to his traveling/speaking responsibilities, he works on the development team for faith formation curriculum resources including Finding God: Our Response to God’s Gifts and God’s Gift: Reconciliation and Eucharist. Joe has more than 35 years of experience in ministry and has presented keynotes, presentations, and workshops in more than 100 dioceses in North America. Joe is a frequent presenter at national conferences including the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, the Mid-Atlantic Congress, and the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership. He is the author of numerous books, including the best seller The Catechist’s Toolbox, A Church on the Move, Under the Influence of Jesus, and Called to Be Catholic—a bilingual, foundational supplemental program that helps young people know their faith and grow in their relationship with God. Joe is also the series editor for the Effective Catechetical Leader and blogs about his experiences in faith formation at www.catechistsjourney.com.

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