By Paul Dion, STL
The true presence of Jesus in the form of Bread and Wine is the burning question this week. It is addressed to all of us who receive communion as Catholics. We approach the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist easily and sometimes without much reverence and consciousness about what we are doing.
The true presence of Jesus in the form of Bread and Wine is the burning question this week. It is addressed to all of us who receive communion as Catholics. We approach the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist easily and sometimes without much reverence and consciousness about what we are doing.
We even forget sometimes that we may not be in the proper state of soul to approach the Sacrament. We have come to listen to the ideas that are floated around that the Eucharist is a reality so full of love that God would not want us to miss out on it.
We have listened to the "popular" wisdom that says that "after all, there are a lot of people worse than I. I am OK for communion because I really don't do any really, really bad things."
We talk ourselves into thinking that if St. Peter could deny Jesus three times and get to be the Head Man, then we too have the right to approach the Sacrament.
Think about it a little bit. Are we softening Jesus? Are we forgetting that He is the person who told Pontius Pilate, "You wouldn't have any power if it had not been given to you from above."
Are we forgetting that this is the person who told us, "If you do not eat my flesh and drink my blood you will not have eternal life."?
These are not words that should make us think that Jesus is the negotiating type. If we do not behave according to His expectations of us, we have no right to approach the communion rail.
Why do so many of us seem to have forgotten this?
Why do so many of us seem to have forgotten this?
"Do you really believe in the TRUE PRESENCE of Jesus Christ in the consecrated Bread and Wine of the Eucharist?"
Think about it. This is an anonymous opportunity for you to speak the truth from the bottom of your soul about this question.
DO YOU REALLY BELIEVE THAT JESUS IS PRESENT BODY AND BLOOD IN THE HOST AND THE CHALICE OF COMMUNION? Do you really keep your soul clean before receiving communion? Do you really believe that Jesus is present, Body and Blood and Soul in the Tabernacle?
We at ParishWorld.net think that we have to talk about this in the open for the good of the Church Community. Help us out. Post your innermost and honest thoughts - in complete anonymity if you wish.
Of course I do... Those who do not, are simply not Catholic...
ReplyDelete-Laurence
Mr. Dion, this is a touchy topic for me because I am guity of everything you say in your article. I am a good Catholic but find myself going to communion even at the times when I know i should have gone to Confession first. Jesus is the center of my life and I can not go a week without receiving Him in the Eucharist. I am guilty of everything you have outlined. It was as if Jesus was talking to me through you. Thank you for pointing me back to the right way.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I believe and sometimes it seems ridiculous. When in doubt, I as Jesus to help me to believe. I also find that reading any of the four gospels strengthens my belief.
ReplyDeleteYes! As Laurence said those who do not are simply not Catholic. I cant even imagine not believing this, having the True presesence of Jesus in the Eucharist is what makes us the church of Jesus Christ himself and seperates us from all these other man made religions.Being Catholic is having Faith in God, but to even go a step further how about all the wonderful miracle where the host has turned into flesh ,and the wine into blood. The Eucharist Is food for our souls, as Saint Padre Pio said It is easier for the world to be without the sun,then for Us to be without the Eucharist!
ReplyDeletePraise be to God, Mr. Dion, you have made a huge difference in this person's life... God Bless you, Anonymous... Since I just gave a talk at St. Adelaide on Confession, I would like to share a very important passage on this:
ReplyDelete1 Corinthians 11:24-32 ESV and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." (25) In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." (26) For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. (27) Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. (28) Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. (29) For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. (30) That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. (31) But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. (32) But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.
Yes I do. First accept Jesus Christ Lord and Savior from the bottom of heart as always saying by action not by words only.
ReplyDelete"Humbly I adore thee, verity unseen, who thy glory hidest neath these shadows mean: lo, to thee surrendered, my whole heart is bowed tranced as it beholds thee, shrined within the cloud."
ReplyDeleteI believe that Jesus is present at all times in all places and is closer to me that my breath. I also visit the Holy Sacrament in the tabernacle or aumbry and on first fridays when the Sacrament is exposed. I do not understand, nor do I soon expect to comprehend, how it is that the God who is always present everywhere, all the time is somehow more present in the Most Holy Sacrament of the altar. His presence remains more real for me in the creatures of bread and wine even apart from the community communion service at which first they were consecrated. I do not always, or even often, F E E L the presence of Christ in the sacrament when I receive; but I have felt it and will cheerfully eat dry bread and drink even sour wine for a lifetime in the hope of once again feeling the Presence of the Living GoD in that immediate way. Fortunately Jesus' presence in the sacrament is not dependent upon my feeling,recognizing or experiencing. It is dependent only on His word. "Taste and touch and vision to discern fail; faith, that comes by hearing, pierces through the veil. I believe whate'er the Son of God hath told; what the truth hath spoken, that for truth I hold." (quotes from Aquinas)
One further thought, I never "become worthy" to receive the Lord. No amount of confession, repentance or amends can raise me to so great a height as worthy. What enables me to come to the table and comsume the Sacreament is that I have been called to supper. The two "Great Commandments" are to love God and neighbor; beyond these Jesus has given two more commandments to us His Body in the world. He said,"Love one another as I have loved you." And, on the night before He suffered and died, "Do this in memory of Me." So, I come "just as I am". Willing to accept grace that I might be better than I am on my own, humbly acknowledging my lack of worth but prclaiming my "sure and certain hope".
ReplyDeleteI agree with the last poster. Once you have met Jesus you are never the same. He is life itself. To come to Him in any state other than with humility and an open heart is unthinkable. Our Lord is always near. Oh, if we would only take Him seriously.
ReplyDeleteTheologically, many stumble over this truth. But, all believers, Catholic or Protestant, who allow the NT to open their eyes to this truth cannot but acknowledge the literality of the bread and the wine as given at Eucharist. We need to be careful not to think only Catholics hold this great truth. All who love the Lord and allow Holy Writ to guide them cannot but come to this conclusion unless they approach it with preconceived, non-Biblical notions. Habitually receiving of the Host and the Wine need not become rote and dry either, IF we ask the Holy Spirit to open our heart anew each week to this bedrock truth. It can and will become life - over and over and over.
ReplyDeleteTheologically, Protestants stumble over this truth, but all believers who allow the NT to open their eyes to this truth cannot but acknowledge the literality of the bread and the wine. We need to be careful not to think only Catholics hold this great truth. All who love the Lord and allow Holy Writ to guide them cannot but come to this conclusion unless they approach it with preconceived, non-Biblical notions. Habitually receiving of the Host and the Wine need not become rote and dry either, IF we ask the Holy Spirit to open our heart anew each week to this bedrock truth. It can and will become life - over and over and over.
ReplyDeleteYes, I believe that Jesus is really present in the Eucharist! I am so thankful that Jesus gives his very self - body, blood, and divinity - to me! How can I not believe this is Him when I experience Eucharist?
ReplyDeleteMy stumbling block at times is not questioning His Real Presence, but rather, the need for Christ to sacrifice himself for me. This I struggle with... for like the Centurion, I know that I am not worthy that he should enter under my roof. I also know that I long for Christ's touch.