Eucharist In You

Contributors	J. Boulos
Objective	Teach the power of the Eucharist and how God is our strength and protection.
Materials Needed	Need several water balloons, one or two filled with water already and one or two empty. Need a basin to catch water as balloon pops. Need towel. Need lighter.
Summary	Explain that the Eucharist not only draws us closer to God, but also strengthens us against evil. Communion can prevent the devil from possessing our bodies. It can make us stronger against temptation. It allows us to endure the evils of the world for longer than when we are without the Eucharist in our body. Fill one balloon with air and explain this is us when we are empty of God. Without partaking of the Eucharist, we become empty inside and lonely. Show the lighter and say that it is the pressures of the world, or the temptation of the evil one. Light the flame and as you bring it to the balloon explain that we are weak when we must fight alone. We have to endure all the struggles and pain by ourselves. This way, we lose very quickly. At this point, touch the flame to the balloon and it should almost immediately pop. Next show the water balloon. Tell them the water is like the Holy Body of Christ that we take into our bodies during Communion. We ask Christ to enter into us and fill us. At this point we are strongest and can endure much -- not because of any change to our physical body. Notice that the rubber of the balloon has not changed. But there is something inside of us to help us. Now light the flame and bring it to the balloon. The fire will attempt to weaken the structure of the balloon and melt the rubber, but the heat of the flame will be dissipated by the water in the balloon. The balloon will not pop right away and should remain whole long enough to demonstrate the point that it is now stronger. Explain that the balloon hasn't changed, but that the water inside the balloon is "taking the heat" so to speak. Christ, when we partake of the Eucharist, is inside us and continues to suffer for our sakes so that we can endure.
Additional Resources
Keywords	water balloons, communion, power of God
Date Submitted	11/15/2008