The Rev. Ryan Fleenor concludes our 5-week series on the Eucharist with an exploration of “Why” and “How.” Why, ultimately, do we participate in the Eucharist, and how is God at work in our lives through it?

Since the earliest days of the church, Christians have gathered on Sunday to celebrate the Eucharist. Following Jesus’ command ("Do this in remembrance of me") it is the most basic action of Christian discipleship. Sometimes it is so familiar that we do it without engaging deeply with what's really going on. And yet we know that the Eucharist has a unique power to shape our spiritual lives. Research shows that participating in the Eucharist is a key catalyst for spiritual growth for Episcopalians. The more we engage with the Eucharist and seek a deeper understanding of it, the further we move along the continuum of spiritual growth toward a life centered in Christ.