An elementary question regarding consecration

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I’m a wee bit embarassed to ask this question because it is probably so elementary but here goes…

When the priest consecrates the bread and wine and Jesus speaks through the priest saying “Take this, all of you…”, is this Jesus’ personal invitation to drink of His cup so-to-speak? The cup of suffering?

This is a time in my life that I am experiencing great, great suffering and I have had such an immense desire and longing to bring my heart before the Lord at mass - not only to give myself and my suffering to Him, but to empty myself to receive from His infinite graces.

The other day at mass I was pleading with the Holy Spirit to help me give of myself completely to Our Lord…and when Jesus spoke those words through the priest, it was as if my understanding of what more was being offered became clear to me but then I began doubting myself (it’s a fear of being prideful thing).

I have always offered my suffering to the Lord at mass but this understanding brings me to believe that not only am I to offer what I have suffered, but when I accept His body and His blood I am accepting his offer/gift to me to suffer for others. (I am not saying I think this is only for me, but for everyone when we receive Him in the Eucharist).

Do I have a deeper understanding or am I clueless? Thanks!
 
Hi backhome,
Matthew 20:22 And Jesus answering, said: You know not what you ask. Can you drink the chalice that I shall drink? They say to him: We can.

And again: Colosians 1:24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up those things that are wanting of the sufferings of Christ, in my flesh, for his body, which is the church:

One of the things that I love about Catholicism is that unlike most n-C churches, it shows us that our suffering has merit before God and is linked to the sufferings of Christ. I have to wonder sometimes if all that warm fuzzy Christianity is really Christianity at all.
Pax tecum,
 
That’s not elementary. That’s a pretty deep understanding, and I think you have got it right.
 
I believe one of the greatest paradoxes of our Faith is this:

To those whom Christ loves, he gives a greater portion of His suffering.

There is great power in Christian Suffering, and I believe you are deep in your understanding of it. If you have never read about this, I would recommend this book:
shop.catholic.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/online-store/scstore/p-CB262.html?L+scstore+pkrx1345ffd5e6d5+1117330541

Remember, as suffering enters your life, the Lord will give to you no more than you can bear. Sometimes in our sufferings, we may certainly wish He didn’t love us so much! Take heart, however, as I believe you understand more than many ever will. We would all do well to observe our Blessed Mother, who’s soul was pierced when Christ was crucified, and say to God, “Be it done unto me according to your will.”

May Christ’s Peace be with you in your troubles, and His mercy fill your soul,
RyanL
 
Thanks, to each of you, for answering my question (and for not finding it so elementary!). Thank you also for the mention of the book. I think it would be a wise read for me right now.

Praise to Our Lord, He has given me much grace to see the spiritual beauty in my suffering although at times it has felt almost emotionally unbearable and I am in a battle. During those times my thoughts do go to the Blessed Mother. How Mother? How did you endure? To which I am reminded to call upon the strength of Our Lord. How strange this world would think me to sing His praises amidst such suffering!

May God bless each of you!

Ann
 
Mother Teresa once said “The Lord must love you much to give you so great a part of His suffering.”

You might also enjoy the book “Why” by John Downs or his smaller pamphlet on suffering, available here:

www.johnfdowns.com
 
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backhome:
Thanks, to each of you, for answering my question (and for not finding it so elementary!). Thank you also for the mention of the book. I think it would be a wise read for me right now.

Praise to Our Lord, He has given me much grace to see the spiritual beauty in my suffering although at times it has felt almost emotionally unbearable and I am in a battle. During those times my thoughts do go to the Blessed Mother. How Mother? How did you endure? To which I am reminded to call upon the strength of Our Lord. How strange this world would think me to sing His praises amidst such suffering!

May God bless each of you!

Ann
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As it did with St. Polycarp who sang hymns as they burned him to death…
God bless you Ann.
Pax tecum,
 
Ah yes! I don’t know St. Polycarp but what a witness he must have been! I imagine there were conversions after such an intense witness of faith! Thanks Michael!
 
Obedience is another fruit that comes from the grace of suffering.

Hebrews 5:
7] In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard for his godly fear.
8] Although he was a Son, **he learned obedience through what he suffered;
**9] and being made perfect he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him,

Keep up the good work.

May :blessyou:
 
Backhome,

Remember how John Paul the Great bore his suffering for all to see. He was never, ever ashamed of his suffering from the parkinsons disease. He offered his suffering to Our Lord. It was a blessing to us all.

…As your suffering is to me… Thanks for sharing. May God Bless you. Welcome back!
 
How Blessed you must be, backhome 🙂 I think from what I understand of suffering, that you have a good understanding of the merits of suffering, and of giving your suffering to Christ on the cross to do with as He will 🙂

If you haven’t ever heard Fr. Groeschel (sp?), speak on suffering, make it a point to listen to him sometime on EWTN, especially now since he has gone through such a hard time physically after being hit by a car…he has such great explanations for suffering 🙂

God Bless you and keep you safe 🙂
 
Pope John Paul II the Great and Fr. Groeschel are wonderful examples to us aren’t they?! And yes, Johnq, obedience is certainly a grace through suffering. Obedience through trust…having complete trust. Well, God has certainly given me an opportunity to grow in that area.

One thing I have to remind myself that if I ask Our Lord to help me conform my will to His, if I ask Him to sanctify me and rid me of all that does not please Him, I can’t complain too much when He actually starts to do it!

Thanks again for your responses and God bless!
 
I thought this quote from President Bush’s presentation at the Catholic Prayer breakfast was beautiful:

This morning we pray for the many Catholics who serve America in the cause of freedom. One of them is an Army Chaplain named Tim Vakoc. He’s a beloved priest who was seriously wounded in Iraq last May. We pray for his recovery, we’re inspired by his sacrifice. In the finest tradition of American chaplains, he once told his sister, "The safest place for me to be is in the center of God’s will, and if that is in the line of fire, that’s where I’ll be."

How often do we feel like we’re in a “line of fire?” Yet if we are right where God wants us to be, for the sake of our salvation, would we want to be anywhere else?

Also reminds me of the conversation Jesus had with his disciples after giving the Bread of Life discourse. Many left Him because they couldn’t accept that Jesus would become our food and drink. Jesus turns to his twelve and says “Will you leave me also?,” to which Peter replies “Lord, where would we go? You have the words of everlasting life!”
 
Thank you for sharing that Didi. I think that’s a wonderful example of God’s peace…the only true peace we (will) experience when we surrender to His will.
 
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