Thirty years ago, Mick Souza became Mr. Universe. And a few decades later, in a charming video by the Coming Home Network, the former bodybuilder talks of his wayward past and how his relationship with the Eucharist has brought him the joy he feels today.
Souza explains that he always believed in transubstantiation, or as he says: “in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist.” As a bodybuilder he firmly believed that “you are what you eat,” so adorably, along with his brother, the pair took this literally when they received the Eucharist, and wondered why they didn’t become mini physical versions of Jesus.
The former Mr. Universe goes on to explain that at the height of his career he led a somewhat fast life, involving women and cars. He simply believes that he was trying to fill the “God hole.” Yet, beyond the glory and wealth, he shares, “the reverence and awe that I’ve always had of the Eucharist has always been there.”
And it was this relationship with the Holy Sacrament that compelled him to return to the Catholic Church. He discovered that true happiness and peace come from a relationship with Christ. In fact, he believes that by allowing Jesus into our hearts, we receive so much more than happiness; we are filled with the joy of the Lord.
As he points out, the Eucharist, being the Lord, allows us to be replenished with joy each time we receive it. And as he simply states, we need “to trust Christ in His own words,” and references John, Chapter 6 when Christ says:
“I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.”
As Souza invites us to reassess our goals in life, he implores people to “please come back into the Church.” He seems to have the same enthusiasm and determination for the Eucharist that he would have needed to become Mr. Universe, and anyone who watches the video can’t help but be moved by his infectious passion for Christ.
And today we celebrate...