THE MOST SACRED BODY AND BLOOD OF JESUS
It is on Sunday after Holy Trinity Sunday that the Holy Mother Church called her members to deeply reflect on the mystery of our Christian life- Corpus Christi. It is so proper that man should be well informed in the food that draws his soul to heaven.
It is even more proper to understand the mystery of our relationship with Jesus. This article is meant to clarify you on the certain issues concerning the Holy communion.
Issue 1: IT WOULD SEEM TO ME THAT IT IS STILL THE BREAD AND WINE, THAT NOTHING CHANGED: Many people of this generation have really lost faith in the Holy Eucharist because of its simplicity. How can it be just bread and wine, and nothing serious even took place. This mentality has caused a lot of disbelief and abuse among the Christian people. Who is man to probe the activity of God, or be his counselor? Jesus, in a bid to be with man, decided to make himself present in the bread and wine, which is also the handwork of man. Through these gifts, God raises man to
divine life. The institution of the Eucharist was on the eve of his passion, a memorial which he left for us. Three things could inform our faith in the REAL PRESENCE. It is a FOOD given to nourish our weakened self. Jesus invites us to eat his flesh (John 6:50-58), so that through him, life is drawn. This is not the case of eating a dead flesh that it is excreted, but it feels our soul with spiritual enlightenment. Thus, as much as the consecrated bread is concerned, it is Jesus at all time.
Jesus is our SACRIFICIAL LAMB. The sacrificial nature of this Sacrament is that it is a Calvary experience. It upholds the life of Jesus as a remedy of our sins. Therefore, the most Sacred Body and Blood of Christ is a remedy for sin, for it reduces the tendencies of sin. This will lead us to another issue.
Issue 2: IS THE EUCHARIST A PUNISHMENT FOR SIN AND REWARD FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS. Sometimes, we hear "those who are in the state of grace should come out". Would you therefore, say that Jesus is only for the righteous.
I think, I will leave this part open for discussion, which I will conclude in the evening)
MY RESPONSE
ReplyDeleteJesus said that "he did not come to call the righteous but sinners", so that they will repent. (Matt. 9:13) These words of Jesus were all directed to the entire sick humanity. Jesus came to redeem this sick humanity. Jesus uses the word 'righteous' to describe the Pharisees who claim to be without sin. Remember the episode of Mary Magdalene, "He without sin, should first caste a stone". Therefore, with this statement, no one could even claim to be 100% perfect and holy. In our relationship with God, we do not consider our perfection.
While we profess our inability and our imperfections, a Christian should recognise that he is to make a sincere effort, striving for holiness. To be in a state of grace is an attitude of a Christian who is making a sincere effort. Jesus considers our effort in order to perfect our life.
God prepares a banquet for his people. In fact, our relationship with God is likened to a banquet. In the Bible, Jesus uses the parable of a king to describe the kingdom of heaven. The king, who prepares a banquet and invited all to the banquet. But he confirmed that those invited are proved to be unworthy. ( Matt. 22: 8). As much as the the celebration of the Holy Eucharist is concerned, it is a heavenly banquet where meals are served. All are invited to the banquet, but some of us proved unworthy to the banquet. For one to participate in this divine banquet, he/she must wear a white garment of purity. No mortal sins are allowed in the celebration. There could be a remedy for one who was unworthy, by washing himself and wearing a garment.
St. Paul understood the celebration of Holy Body and Blood of Christ as a banquet. That is why He cautioned those who receives Him unworthily. Such reception could lead to death. The Eucharistic life of the Church foreshadows the banquet of the lamb with his bride ( Rev. 19: 6-9). You must be ready. This readiness is about man's effort to be united with God.
The Church maintained that reception of communion must be for those in the state of grace. Jesus cannot share his glory with anyone. The indisposition of a sinner to say no to sin, makes mockery of Jesus. It would seem that Jesus is forcing himself upon you, perhaps manipulating your will. Your love for Jesus must be supreme, and must be allowed to be sustained. When sin has upper hand in you, without remedy of removing it, the food of the angel does not nourish but causes harm.
With this analogy, I can explain that good food when eaten at a wrong time can cause harm to the body. A sick person normally do not have appetite for food, no matter the type of food. When adequate medications have been offered, the person starts eating well. It is the same per say with Corpus Christi. In sickness (sin), drugs (penance) are prescribe to help him/her to regain his/ her capacity to dine in the table of the Lord. Sacrament of penance gives a Christian an opportunity to regain his state of Grace to dine at the table of Jesus.
A Catholic girl who lives with a man, without wedding is consciously committing sin of fornication, and unless she goes for wedding, she cannot receive Holy Communion. It is an abuse, and can lead spiritual death. (We have already treated this in the group).
At this juncture, I rest my case.