Communion / the last supper

[Monica4316]

Zundrah,

I just wanted to share a bit of my own journey with you, cause i’ve been there too.

I converted to the Catholic Church from Protestantism. It was very difficult for me to accept the Eucharist, or Mary. I struggled for many months, because I couldn’t figure out who was right: the Catholics or the Protestants.

What helped me the most was just praying to be ready to obey God, to accept whatever the truth is, even if it’s hard and I don’t like it and I don’t get it.

I hated Catholic worship… I wanted praise and worship like at the non denominational church… I decided to become Catholic simply because I felt so strongly drawn there that I couldn’t resist anymore.

Well something happened eventually. God totally changed me. I began to believe - believe strongly - not just in the Eucharist or Mary but everything else I read about the Church. I began to love the Mass…and the quiet reverent worship we have there. I began going to Adoration and it transformed my life. What at first was difficult and done out of a sense of duty, became a real joy. It was no longer a disbelief in the Eucharist, or doubt about the Eucharist, or even intellectual faith, but I began to feel it in my heart too.

But it’s a real journey to get there and it takes some time… what God wants is for us to be open.

Don’t worry if the Eucharist doesnt make SENSE to you.

Little makes sense…we must look through the eyes of faith and through the eyes of love.

Does it make sense that God became a human being and then got killed by His own creation to save them? Theologically it makes sense, but there are many people who just don’t undestand it and so don’t accept it.

It’s similar with the Eucharist… it’s hard to understand intellectually at first, but that will come.

I’ll try to explain it this way… it’s’ true that God is everywhere spiritually. He is in our hearts, He is in Heaven, He is present in Christian fellowship.

But Jesus (unlike the Father or the Holy Spirit) has a human nature, and a body. He still has His Body!! It is risen and glorified but it is real. He is not ONLY Spirit.

Think of when Jesus was on earth. Was it true then that God is everywhere? Of course. But it was also true that Jesus was present on earth in a special, unique way. In a physical way.

Imagine you lived 2000 years ago, while Jesus was living on earth. Imagine, you live in Jerusalem or something…and you hear that He is coming and you can meet Him. Well let’s say you believe that He is God…
would you say, “why would I do that, I can talk to God right here and right now and He is with me!”
no, you’d probably run to where Jesus is to meet Him face to face

that is what we believe about the Eucharist. Yes God is everywhere, but Jesus is not everywhere physically.

He is physically present only in the Eucharist and in Heaven. That’s where His risen glorified Body is. The Eucharist is His Body and Blood…

so when we receive Communion, we receive Jesus physically into ourselvs, and He unites Himself to us in such a special way! wow! Spiritual communion is beautiful too but nothing beats actual Sacramental Communion…it’s a foretaste of Heaven.

So if you’re ever before the Tabernacle…maybe you could try to think of it that way. That in the Tabernacle, Jesus is there physically, and everywhere else, spiritually. The reason we share in Heavenly worship at the Mass is because Jesus is present physically in Heaven too.

hope that makes sense…

ask Him to show you.

God bless.

 

[Dorothy]

Zundrah, when you look at the Greek translation, “do this in memory of me” implies that it’s not just remembering, but re-representing. hope that makes sense.

Yes, how awesome it is that Jesus comes to us personally in the Eucharist as a LIVING MEMORIAL!

The infinite love of God for us is so hard for us to fathom. He just wants us to accept it.

 

[qui_est_ce]

Zundrah,

He is physically present only in the Eucharist and in Heaven. That’s where His risen glorified Body is. The Eucharist is His Body and Blood…

so when we receive Communion, we receive Jesus physically into ourselvs, and He unites Himself to us in such a special way! wow! Spiritual communion is beautiful too but nothing beats actual Sacramental Communion…it’s a foretaste of Heaven.

So if you’re ever before the Tabernacle…maybe you could try to think of it that way. That in the Tabernacle, Jesus is there physically, and everywhere else, spiritually. The reason we share in Heavenly worship at the Mass is because Jesus is present physically in Heaven too.

hope that makes sense…

ask Him to show you.

God bless.

Monica, that is so beautiful!! Thanks so much for sharing your inmost thoughts. It’s because of posts like yours that I, a cradle Catholic who never strayed from Church Teachings, began to examine my own attitude towards the Eucharist. I gradually became drawn to receiving on the tongue. But I was worried I would come off as judgmental towards my fellow parishioners. Then, this year on Corpus Christi, our priest talked about the precious body in a way that I couldn’t resist anymore. I have been taking on the tongue ever since. It was I who was judgmental towards those already receiving on the tongue!!

 

[Monica4316]

Yes, how awesome it is that Jesus comes to us personally in the Eucharist as a LIVING MEMORIAL!

The infinite love of God for us is so hard for us to fathom. He just wants us to accept it.

how He loves us

Monica, that is so beautiful!! Thanks so much for sharing your inmost thoughts. It’s because of posts like yours that I, a cradle Catholic who never strayed from Church Teachings, began to examine my own attitude towards the Eucharist. I gradually became drawn to receiving on the tongue. But I was worried I would come off as judgmental towards my fellow parishioners. Then, this year on Corpus Christi, our priest talked about the precious body in a way that I couldn’t resist anymore. I have been taking on the tongue ever since. It was I who was judgmental towards those already receiving on the tongue!!

:hug1: that is wonderful! I’ve been lead to receive the Eucharist on the tongue too. I don’t think it’s judgemental but something between you and the Lord
God bless you!

 

[Zundrah]

Zundrah, when you look at the Greek translation, “do this in memory of me” implies that it’s not just remembering, but re-representing. hope that makes sense.

LOL - the penny is dropping, I think!

 

[Zundrah]

how He loves us

:hug1: that is wonderful! I’ve been lead to receive the Eucharist on the tongue too. I don’t think it’s judgemental but something between you and the Lord
God bless you!

I have actually seen my priest giving the wafer on the tongue with some people and not with others. Is it because he knows you are perhaps more sincere then others?

 

[Rolltide]

I have actually seen my priest giving the wafer on the tongue with some people and not with others. Is it because he knows you are perhaps more sincere then others?

No. It’s actually quite simple. Currently in the United States, at an Ordinary Form Mass, parishoners have the option of receiving either in the hand or on the tongue. It’s the parishoner’s choice.

 

[Monica4316]

LOL - the penny is dropping, I think!

I have actually seen my priest giving the wafer on the tongue with some people and not with others. Is it because he knows you are perhaps more sincere then others?

nope people can choose if they want to receive in the hand, or on the tongue. Both are accepted by the Church, but on the tongue is supposed to be the “normal” way. In the hand is an indult, that means a special permission.

If a person comes to the priest and holds out their hands, the priest puts the Host on their hand… if they don’t, and open their mouth instead he puts it on their tongue.

I think it must be confusing for them sometimes, if I were a priest I’d be a little nervous about getting it wrong

if you go to the Latin Mass, everyone receives on the tongue, kneeling at the altar rail.

in some of the Eastern Catholic rites, they receive by intinction, - on a spoon.

God bless

 

[Zundrah]

No. It’s actually quite simple. Currently in the United States, at an Ordinary Form Mass, parishoners have the option of receiving either in the hand or on the tongue. It’s the parishoner’s choice.

Oh right, what do you prefer? I only get a blessing because I am protestant (methodist). … I’m sad about this though…

 

[Monica4316]

Oh right, what do you prefer? I only get a blessing because I am protestant (methodist). … I’m sad about this though…

have you ever heard about Spiritual Communion? I did this a lot before I became Catholic, when I was at Mass. I still do it when I’m not around Communion.
ewtn.com/devotionals/prayers/blsac4.htm

if you don’t yet believe in the Eucharist though, you can still just welcome Jesus into your heart spiritually.

I guess Protestants do this? (do Methodists?) I used to be non denom. and we “got saved” by “accept Christ into our hearts”.

As Catholics, we kind of do this repeatedly, not for salvation but just expressing our desire to be with Him.

God bless

 

[qui_est_ce]

I have actually seen my priest giving the wafer on the tongue with some people and not with others. Is it because he knows you are perhaps more sincere then others?

Either is perfectly acceptable. When I made my First Holy Communion in 1962, that’s the only way it was received. Things began changing in our archdiocese in the '70’s. It was allowed to receive in the hand.

I always felt people who continued to receive on the tongue were “holier than thou.” But because of posts like Monica’s, and my own ever growing closeness to God, I began an irresistible desire to receive on the tongue. So, on Corpus Christi (this past June) after the homily, I asked our priest about receiving in the hand. He gave me theories on particles of the precious body left in the hand. I looked at my hand, and in it was my car keys!!! That was it, I have never touched a host except my mouth since!!!

The next day, I went to my usual week-day 6:30 AM mass, and he was prepared to give it in the hand. He was a little taken aback when I did not present my palms, but rather opened my mouth. He later asked me if it was his homily (joking) and I said yes, it was the icing on the cake. He felt good about that.

 

[qui_est_ce]

LOL - the penny is dropping, I think!

What does this mean? I don’t believe it’s an American expression.

 

[WMM]

I have actually seen my priest giving the wafer on the tongue with some people and not with others. Is it because he knows you are perhaps more sincere then others?

***Both ways are acceptable.

It is up to the recipient.

Before the changes of Vatican II in the '60s, everyone knelt and received on the tongue.***

 

[John_Russell_Jr]

Oh right, what do you prefer? I only get a blessing because I am protestant (methodist). … I’m sad about this though…

Dear Jennifer

I have never received communion on the hand because I believe this is God and the most scred thing therefore and deserving of the most respect. I’m especially worried about particles being left on my hand and dropping them on the ground to be trodden on and other various reasons. I think it is much more respectful to receive on the tongue although the church has allowed on the hand in recent times. Our best catholics, the saints, virtually all agree it should be on the tongue. It is your choice though. On the tongue and consumed means virtually no chance of sacrilege from the sacred particles being left and dropping etc. It breaks down quickly in the mouth then stomach. It is much better and more resoectful and the traditional way. Think about it dear friend.

May God bless you:thumbsup:
John

 

[Zundrah]

What does this mean? I don’t believe it’s an American expression.

Oh sorry, this is a British saying. If I say; “I think the penny dropped!”, it means that I finally understand what you are trying to tell me.

 

[Zundrah]

have you ever heard about Spiritual Communion? I did this a lot before I became Catholic, when I was at Mass. I still do it when I’m not around Communion.
ewtn.com/devotionals/prayers/blsac4.htm

if you don’t yet believe in the Eucharist though, you can still just welcome Jesus into your heart spiritually.

I guess Protestants do this? (do Methodists?) I used to be non denom. and we “got saved” by “accept Christ into our hearts”.

As Catholics, we kind of do this repeatedly, not for salvation but just expressing our desire to be with Him.

God bless

I guess Protestants do this? (do Methodists?) I used to be non denom. and we “got saved” by “accept Christ into our hearts”.

Monica, this is the idea dogma of the methodist church (or denomination if you prefer to call it that)!

1 - acknowledge sin as sin.
2 - repent the sin after you realise that it was bad (a sin).
3 - accept chirst as your saviour and that he will take away the sin (all past sin or just the present one at this time).
4 - let your old ways die and now live knowing that all your past sins are forgiven.

So yeah, I guess this is what our denomination is all about! (Proud!) Accept Christ into your heart and say, “I have been forgiven and now I live because of you, Christ.”

In short, I am not too upset about that fact that I cannot take the Eucharist, but there is something far more sinister that disturbs me… I I die now I will be buried on common ground… Or even crimated… I want to be buried properly, like a decent Catholic.

If I die before easter (when I should be comfirmed) I will be buried as if I never even had Christ in my life at all, as if I was never even a Christian. This is really worrying me so much…

 

[paperwight]

To my surprise, it’s not defined in Brewer’s Concise Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, but perhaps it is in the complete version.

I think it must come from domestic electricity meters, or possibly slot-machines or coin-operated public phones.

When the penny drops through the slot and falls with a clunk into the machine, progress is made - electricity is paid for, so there is light, or the goods are delivered, or the call connected.

So saying that the penny has dropped for someone means that they have understood something, a connection has been made.

 

[Zundrah]

To my surprise, it’s not defined in Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable.

I think it must come from domestic electricity meters, or possibly slot-machines or coin-operated public phones.

When the penny drops through the slot and falls with a clunk into the machine, progress is made - electricity is paid for, so there is light, or the goods are delivered, or the call connected.

So saying that the penny has dropped for someone means that they have understood something, a connection has been made.

Wow, you clever guy! That sounds very clear to me, since years ago electric meters did have actual money put into them!

 

[Monica4316]

Monica, this is the idea dogma of the methodist church (or denomination if you prefer to call it that)!

1 - acknowledge sin as sin.
2 - repent the sin after you realise that it was bad (a sin).
3 - accept chirst as your saviour and that he will take away the sin (all past sin or just the present one at this time).
4 - let your old ways die and now live knowing that all your past sins are forgiven.

So yeah, I guess this is what our denomination is all about! (Proud!) Accept Christ into your heart and say, “I have been forgiven and now I live because of you, Christ.”

thank you

I don’t mean to change the topic of the thread lol, but I just always wondered, in denominations like the Methodist church, do you keep on asking for forgiveness for the sins you do after you’ve accepted Christ? I know that some Protestants do this and others do not, and believe that their future sins are forgiven as well. (the Catholic Church would say that future sins were atoned for on the Cross but we still ask for forgiveness for them for the atonement to be applied to us)
just curious!

In short, I am not too upset about that fact that I cannot take the Eucharist, but there is something far more sinister that disturbs me… I I die now I will be buried on common ground… Or even crimated… I want to be buried properly, like a decent Catholic.

If I die before easter (when I should be comfirmed) I will be buried as if I never even had Christ in my life at all, as if I was never even a Christian. This is really worrying me so much…

St Padre Pio said, “pray, hope, and don’t worry. Worry is useless. God is merciful and will hear your prayer.” try to trust Him, ask Him that you may become Catholic one day, on Easter, and leave the rest up to God. He knows all your concerns, and He holds the future in His hand.

:hug1:

 

[John_Russell_Jr]

Monica, this is the idea dogma of the methodist church (or denomination if you prefer to call it that)!

1 - acknowledge sin as sin.
2 - repent the sin after you realise that it was bad (a sin).
3 - accept chirst as your saviour and that he will take away the sin (all past sin or just the present one at this time).
4 - let your old ways die and now live knowing that all your past sins are forgiven.

So yeah, I guess this is what our denomination is all about! (Proud!) Accept Christ into your heart and say, “I have been forgiven and now I live because of you, Christ.”

In short, I am not too upset about that fact that I cannot take the Eucharist, but there is something far more sinister that disturbs me… I I die now I will be buried on common ground… Or even crimated… I want to be buried properly, like a decent Catholic.

If I die before easter (when I should be comfirmed) I will be buried as if I never even had Christ in my life at all, as if I was never even a Christian. This is really worrying me so much…

My dear friend Jennifer

God won’t let you die before you become catholic so don’t worry. It just won’t happen. With the forgiveness of sins it’s a big subject. There are many biblical references to how we get sins forgiven. I’ll try to give you a brief outline and a link for a thorough explaination though.

There is mortal sin which kills the soul, and venial sin which wounds us but does not kill our soul. We can confess enial sins if we want and should because it’ll help us fight against them and little sins lead to big ones. If we commit mortal sins we must confess them often and certainly before we receive the holy of holies which is the eucharist. We can be forgiven our mortal sins by repenting and making an act of perfect contrition directly to God without confession. But it must be perfect and to ensure there are no abuses and consequently sacrileges and so we can be sure we are forgiven the church insist we confess and repent of mortal sins to a priest in confession. This must be done at least once a year and certainly before holy communion. Where there are no priests bar every 6 mths etc the church tells the faithful to make the act of perfect contrition prior to communion so they can still go. So the church knows we don’t need onfession always. But there are other reasons we confess to a priest. It is the way Jesus wants us to do it firstly, when he gave the power to forgive sins to the apostles and their successors the bishops and priests ( confession has been in the church since the apostles and always will). We become much more humble when we have to tell someone our sins and humility is needed in the fight against sin. It’s a deterent agaist sin if we have to front up at confession for many too. We should hoose one priest for confession and as he gets to know us he can give spiritual advice to help us overcome our sins we struggle with and help us in our spiritual life. People go to counselling all the time, this is not so necessary if we unburden ourselves in confession often- it’s very therapeutic. God knows we need to hear words of forgiveness when we unburden ourselves of our sins and we get this in confession ( we perceive all through our senses and God makes sure we use our senses always so we have tangible signs of what is invisible such as the forgiveness of sins in confession ). We must remember that the priest has the power to forgive or retain our sins but God is the one we are really confessing to and He forgives us and we can’t fool God. So beware God is in the confessional. We can go to confession often, even weekly, if we don’t have sins ecause it’s a sacrament and an intimate contact with God where we recive much grace and not just forgiveness. We can go to confession as often as we want and it’s free. I hope this helps dear Jennifer. Please read the link for a more biblical explaination of confession. I;m sure you’ll like it dear friend.

Go to- catholic.com/library/Confession.asp

Confession of mortal sins is vital because as the following scripture quote shows us receving the eucharist unworthily resulted in a punishment of deat by the Lord in the early church to let all know the importance of receiving the sacrament in a state of grace and worthily -

1Cor.11

23] For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread,
24] 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 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 of profaning the body and blood of the Lord.
28] Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
29] For any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself.
[30] That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.
31] But if we judged ourselves truly, we should not be judged.

For a good explaination of the eucharist check this out dear Jennifer - catholic.com/library/Christ_in_the_Eucharist.asp Check it out dear Jennifer. It’ll tell you what you want to know I think.

A great book to read for a layman to understand all one needs to believe to e catholic is the catechism. You can view and search it here if you want - scborromeo.org/ccc.htm

You can look up the defintion of catholic words in the pocket catholic dictionary too here therealpresence.org/dictionary/adict.htm

I’ll throw in my favourite bible- the RSV version. You can read and search it here if you want - quod.lib.umich.edu/r/rsv/

I hope this helps you dear Jennifer. And thanks for you email. Sorry I missed you last night. fell asleep and didn’t wake up. See you soon

May He Who Am bless you always:thumbsup:

John