Benefits of the Eucharist?

[dje101]

Hello everyone!!!

I was thinking about the Eucharist today. I’ve always heard from Catholics that when one takes the Eucharist, one is taking in the body, bloody, and divinity of Jesus Christ.

Now, coming from a protestant background, the Eucharist (or communion as they called it) was always symbolic, and in the end, was just a cracker and some juice (though tasty juice, lol).

So, aside from truly taking in Jesus as the Catholic Church affirms, I was wondering…

Since one is taking in the divinity of Jesus, does partaking of the Eucharist provide that extra boost to overcome sin?

For example. I, like many men, have had the horrible lust sin in my life. No matter how hard I try, it just seems that I can’t get away from that sin. If I become a Catholic (which seems to be the case more and more everyday), then would partaking of the Eucharist give me that extra spiritual boost that would help me overcome my sin?

 

[steveb1]

Hello everyone!!!

I was thinking about the Eucharist today. I’ve always heard from Catholics that when one takes the Eucharist, one is taking in the body, bloody, and divinity of Jesus Christ.

Now, coming from a protestant background, the Eucharist (or communion as they called it) was always symbolic, and in the end, was just a cracker and some juice (though tasty juice, lol).

So, aside from truly taking in Jesus as the Catholic Church affirms, I was wondering…

Since one is taking in the divinity of Jesus, does partaking of the Eucharist provide that extra boost to overcome sin?

For example. I, like many men, have had the horrible lust sin in my life. No matter how hard I try, it just seems that I can’t get away from that sin. If I become a Catholic (which seems to be the case more and more everyday), then would partaking of the Eucharist give me that extra spiritual boost that would help me overcome my sin?

Well, as a Protestant, how did/do you address your sinfulness (e.g., lusting)? That is, you probably believe that with your baptism and your acceptance of Jesus’s deity and atoning sacrifice, you were not only saved, but also that the Spirit now dwelled in you as never before. Yet the tendency to sin - and actual sin - was/is still in you, despite the Spirit’s presence and influence.

I imagine it’s the same with the Real Presence in the Catholic Eucharist. “Having Jesus in your heart” through salvation and prayer is a known general Christian phenomenon. But to actually have the Real Presence in the Species, and receiving it, is an intensification of the general Christian “sacrament” of divine union.

So my guess is - psychologically speaking - the “boost” against sinning that you mention is provided by faithful, prayerful Eucharistic reception. And just as sin temporarily “drives out” or at least dampens the Spirit’s influence in the Christian, so too would sin temporarily occlude the Eucharistic benefits. Not that the Spirit and the Real Presence/Jesus abandon the sinner, but rather, the sinner turns away from them and erects a “shield” … until such time as s/he repents and/or goes to confession.

Ultimately, I would suggest that no “boost” can make us overcome sin, but rather it’s more an issue that only the divine grace and indwelling Spirit make this possible for us … as we are incapable of doing it ourselves. The “boost” is real and helpful in overcoming the flaws of our anxious, grasping selves. But the real solution is provided for us by the Sinless One.

 

[ConstantineTG]

Hello everyone!!!

I was thinking about the Eucharist today. I’ve always heard from Catholics that when one takes the Eucharist, one is taking in the body, bloody, and divinity of Jesus Christ.

Now, coming from a protestant background, the Eucharist (or communion as they called it) was always symbolic, and in the end, was just a cracker and some juice (though tasty juice, lol).

So, aside from truly taking in Jesus as the Catholic Church affirms, I was wondering…

Since one is taking in the divinity of Jesus, does partaking of the Eucharist provide that extra boost to overcome sin?

For example. I, like many men, have had the horrible lust sin in my life. No matter how hard I try, it just seems that I can’t get away from that sin. If I become a Catholic (which seems to be the case more and more everyday), then would partaking of the Eucharist give me that extra spiritual boost that would help me overcome my sin?

Communion. When we eat food, the food becomes part of us, it gives us energy, life. When we eat Christ, the reverse happens. We become part of Christ, become one with Him, become one body.

 

[DebChris]

Communion. When we eat food, the food becomes part of us, it gives us energy, life. When we eat Christ, the reverse happens. We become part of Christ, become one with Him, become one body.

Without God, we can do nothing, but I can do all things through Christ Jesus who dwells within me. The Sacraments are efficacious signs of God’s grace. When we receive the Sacraments, most specifically the Eucharist, we receive the grace necessary to overcome our tendency to sin. Moreover, our venial (not mortal) sins are forgiven through our receipt of the Eucharist. The Eucharist is the “source and summit” of our faith as Catholics. The Eucharist was instituted by Christ, and when we receive the Eucharist we not only receive Christ, we become more fully united in Christ. The Eucharist does not become part of us, we become part of the Eucharist.
Eucharist means thanksgiving and is to be received with a grateful, thankful heart.

 

[JM3]

vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P42.HTM

1393 Holy Communion separates us from sin. the body of Christ we receive in Holy Communion is “given up for us,” and the blood we drink “shed for the many for the forgiveness of sins.” For this reason the Eucharist cannot unite us to Christ without at the same time cleansing us from past sins and preserving us from future sins:

For as often as we eat this bread and drink the cup, we proclaim the death of the Lord. If we proclaim the Lord’s death, we proclaim the forgiveness of sins. If, as often as his blood is poured out, it is poured for the forgiveness of sins, I should always receive it, so that it may always forgive my sins. Because I always sin, I should always have a remedy.227

 

[Rajah_Beloof]

Yes, in fact, receiving the Eucharist would give you the extra necessary strength. Indeed The Catholic Encyclopedia mentions that “it has the third effect of ‘blotting out venial sin and preserving the soul from mortal sin’”. It goes on to describe it as a medicine that rids us of the smallest stains on our soul and serves as a defense against serious sin.

Here’s my source if you would like to look into this further:

newadvent.org/cathen/05584a.htm

 

[Gusbus]

I had a similar conversation with someone today about receiving the Eucharist and if it really changes a person. We both agreed that we had not seen any diffrence. However, we do see the Eucharist as a wonderful gift and will continue to receive it. But I know for me personally, (and my aunt) we still persist in our sin and the Eucharist doesn’t really seem to change that.

 

[jeanne71350]

Hello everyone!!!

I was thinking about the Eucharist today. I’ve always heard from Catholics that when one takes the Eucharist, one is taking in the body, bloody, and divinity of Jesus Christ.

Now, coming from a protestant background, the Eucharist (or communion as they called it) was always symbolic, and in the end, was just a cracker and some juice (though tasty juice, lol).

So, aside from truly taking in Jesus as the Catholic Church affirms, I was wondering…

Since one is taking in the divinity of Jesus, does partaking of the Eucharist provide that extra boost to overcome sin?

For example. I, like many men, have had the horrible lust sin in my life. No matter how hard I try, it just seems that I can’t get away from that sin. If I become a Catholic (which seems to be the case more and more everyday), then would partaking of the Eucharist give me that extra spiritual boost that would help me overcome my sin?

St. Gertrude (I think) revealed from Jesus that every time somebody recieved the Eucharist, something good happened to every soul on heaven, purgatory, and earth.

 

[Gusbus]

if that were truly the case, (i have never heard of this before) then there would be alot of good things happening given all the people around the world who take the Eucharist at EVERY mass! There are not a lot of good things in society right now. A few maybe, but not a lot.

 

[Barb3]

Several years ago I attended a one-day program at Vallombrosa, a retreat center close to San Francisco. The topic for the day was the"Eucharist" and it was given by Fr. Ron Rolheiser – he was so profound that I made a promise to myself to receive the Eucharist every day – I feel STRONGLY that Jesus is with me every day and since my chdilren/grandchildren live a long way away from me I don’t feel as lonely.
I would suggest you might try reading a book by Fr. Rolheiser – he writes for our local Catholic newspaper and is always profound.

 

[Vico]

Hello everyone!!!

I was thinking about the Eucharist today. I’ve always heard from Catholics that when one takes the Eucharist, one is taking in the body, bloody, and divinity of Jesus Christ.

Now, coming from a protestant background, the Eucharist (or communion as they called it) was always symbolic, and in the end, was just a cracker and some juice (though tasty juice, lol).

So, aside from truly taking in Jesus as the Catholic Church affirms, I was wondering…

Since one is taking in the divinity of Jesus, does partaking of the Eucharist provide that extra boost to overcome sin?

For example. I, like many men, have had the horrible lust sin in my life. No matter how hard I try, it just seems that I can’t get away from that sin. If I become a Catholic (which seems to be the case more and more everyday), then would partaking of the Eucharist give me that extra spiritual boost that would help me overcome my sin?

Firstly, the amount of grace received is dependent upon our dispositon. Secondly there are two forms of grace designated actual and sanctifying.

Actual grace, is received through the Sacraments, prayer, sermons, good works, sickness, the good example of others.
“Without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5).
But to receive the benefit of the sacrament (mystery) of Holy Eucharist requires one to be baptised and also in a current state of friendship with God, that is, not in a state of serious sinfulness (which means not being repentent for our serious sins). The benefit of the sacraments is actual grace (with a specific strength pertaining to the mystery) and also sanctifying grace which is a gift to preserve the soul, through the Holy Spirit (supernatural life, beauty, and brightness).
“Know you not, that you are the Temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1 Cor. 3:16).
The Eucharist itself is the body and blood of Our Savior in essence, yet in molecular form is bread and wine (the molecular form is the sign or accident) and is also symbolic of the fruits of the earth. An ordinary object does not have the Divine essence and accident are of that object: for example, unconsecrated bread and wine.

So now it should be possible to understand this prayer from the Byzantine Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom:

In you, O Master who love us all, we commit our whole life and hope, and we implore, pray, and entreat you: make us worthy to partake with a clear conscience of your heavenly and awesome mysteries from this sacred and spiritual table. May they bring about the remission of sins, the pardon of transgressions, the communion of the Holy Spirit, the inheritance of the kingdom of heaven, confidence in you, not judgment or condemnation.

Also:

That for those who partake of them they may bring about a spirit of vigilance, the remission of sins, the communion of your Holy Spirit, the fullness of the heavenly kingdom, and confidence in you, not judgment or condemnation.

 

[jeanne71350]

if that were truly the case, (i have never heard of this before) then there would be alot of good things happening given all the people around the world who take the Eucharist at EVERY mass! There are not a lot of good things in society right now. A few maybe, but not a lot./QUOTE

It doesn’t have to be a big-life changing thing in society. God works in small ways.

-Jeanne