An Aid to Understand the Eucharist

[Coder]

Matthew 13:55: Is he not the carpenter’s son?

From this passage we see that people questioned how Jesus could have such powers since they thought He was an ordinary man.

Is this not very similar to one of the ways in which people today question or deny the Eucharist? The ordinary appearance of the bread is given as a reason why they don’t believe that the Eucharist is truly Jesus.

I think Matthew 13:55 is helpful to overcome this line of reasoning.

 

[mayra_hart]

1 Cor. 10:16 - Paul asks the question, “the cup of blessing and the bread of which we partake, is it not an actual participation in Christ’s body and blood?” Is Paul really asking because He, the divinely inspired writer, does not understand? No, of course not. Paul’s questions are obviously rhetorical. This IS the actual body and blood. Further, the Greek word “koinonia” describes an actual, not symbolic participation in the body and blood. also this verse help too May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be Adored, Glorified, Loved & Preserved throughout the world, now & forever. Sacred Heart of Jesus, please pray for me. Saint Jude, Worker of Miracles, please pray for me. Saint Jude, Helper of the Hopeless, please pray for me. Amen."

 

[Crumpy]

There are many ways to attack the luminous mystery of the institution of the Eucharist.

Scott Hahn discusses the whole matter in different ways and so well.

There is the whole approach that Jesus gave us Himself in a new covenant in the bloodless mystery and wonder of the consecrated bread and wine at the Lord’s Passover (known by the non-biblical term, the last supper).

There is the sermon and teaching in John Ch 6, that we must eat and drink Jesus’ body and blood.

And, so much more. Faith is a gift from God, and we and everybody must constantly pray for an infusion of that theological virtue. Sadly, we can see that not everybody has that faith and that many even fight it and reject it.

The rejection of the Catholic doctrine is clearly based on a mis-informed or misguided rejection of teaching authority and a mis-understanding of scripture, as the previous post has pointed out.

Even at the moment when we attend Mass, if we float along and don’t really get into the mysteries, then we are really missing out on the best part.

As Hahn points out, the institution of the Eucharist was a liturgy, and we really need to participate in a liturgy, not just a service or a memorial.

The Church has so much to say, it doesn’t often leave the matter to our interpretation. But, if it did, it might advise us that the Eucharist is really what Jesus intended it to be. And, for that matter, what did Jesus say?

 

[maryj]

Matthew 13:55: Is he not the carpenter’s son?

From this passage we see that people questioned how Jesus could have such powers since they thought He was an ordinary man.

Is this not very similar to one of the ways in which people today question or deny the Eucharist? The ordinary appearance of the bread is given as a reason why they don’t believe that the Eucharist is truly Jesus.

I think Matthew 13:55 is helpful to overcome this line of reasoning.

Excellent point, and well made!! Thank you.

 

[teachccd]

Matthew 13:55: Is he not the carpenter’s son?

From this passage we see that people questioned how Jesus could have such powers since they thought He was an ordinary man.

Is this not very similar to one of the ways in which people today question or deny the Eucharist? The ordinary appearance of the bread is given as a reason why they don’t believe that the Eucharist is truly Jesus.

I think Matthew 13:55 is helpful to overcome this line of reasoning.

I instuct classes on the Eucharist and I will include this as an example. This is a great biblical analogy of ordinary appearances being infinitely extraordinary. thank you…teachccd