Jesus present in the word, the people and The Eucharist

[Annie39]

Recently a Catholic, whom I don’t know, I just heard him speak told us to do away with all the prayers and spiritualities of antiquity that we should instead read the bible, especially Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. This of course is not a bad suggestion (the reading of the Gospels that is) but he said that it is because Jesus Christ is present in the bible as He is present in people, which is why we need to show charity. He did say something like, not to take away from what we receive at table or words to that effect. He definitely left the impression that he believes that Jesus is present in the Eucharist, the written word of God and the people equally. This left me with a bit of an uncomfortable feeling. Is what the speaker said in line with Catholic Doctrine?

Thank you,

Annie

 

[Joe_5859]

I’m not sure all of what the speaker said, but it seems likely to me that he is going off of what is written in the Second Vatican Council’s Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy:

To accomplish so great a work, Christ is always present in His Church, especially in her liturgical celebrations. He is present in the sacrifice of the Mass, not only in the person of His minister, “the same now offering, through the ministry of priests, who formerly offered himself on the cross” [20], but especially under the Eucharistic species. By His power He is present in the sacraments, so that when a man baptizes it is really Christ Himself who baptizes [21]. He is present in His word, since it is He Himself who speaks when the holy scriptures are read in the Church. He is present, lastly, when the Church prays and sings, for He promised: “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matt. 18:20) .

-Sacrosanctum Concilium 7

Much has been written about this “four-fold presence” of Christ in the liturgy: in the Eucharist, the presider, the Word (i.e. Scripture), and the assembly. This is one of those passage that gets misapplied, though. Note that the document says Christ is present “when the Church prays and sings.” Yet many paraphrase this to say that Christ is present “in the assembly.”

Of course, it’s not that Christ does not dwell in each of us. He does. But that’s not what this particular paragraph is getting at. Unfortunately, some use this passage to place all four on equal footing, which them seems to lead to them emphasizing anything but the Eucharist. We can see from the document, though, that Christ is present “especially in the Eucharistic species.” Not all four “presences” are equal.

 

[Ed_Silvia]

I just heard him speak told us to do away with all the prayers and spiritualities of antiquity that we should instead read the bible, . Is what the speaker said in line with Catholic Doctrine?

I don’t think so.

We do encounter Jesus in private prayer, He has assured us when two or more gather for prayer in His Name, in the Eucharist and when we read and meditate on the Holy Bible.

Perhaps this person you speak of was bemoaning that Catholics, present company excluded , don’t read and meditate on the Bible thinking that prayer and Mass are sufficient to sustain them in grace?

 

[babylonfalling]

Recently a Catholic, whom I don’t know, I just heard him speak told us to do away with all the prayers and spiritualities of antiquity that we should instead read the bible, especially Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. This of course is not a bad suggestion (the reading of the Gospels that is) but he said that it is because Jesus Christ is present in the bible as He is present in people, which is why we need to show charity. He did say something like, not to take away from what we receive at table or words to that effect. He definitely left the impression that he believes that Jesus is present in the Eucharist, the written word of God and the people equally. This left me with a bit of an uncomfortable feeling. Is what the speaker said in line with Catholic Doctrine?

Thank you,

Annie

Why does he assume Catholic’s aren’t reading the Bible?

 

[Neofight]

Why does he assume Catholic’s aren’t reading the Bible?

That reputation has, unfortunately been earned in the past, but is getting better.

The old joke used to be, “how do you hide something from a Catholic?”

“Put it in the Bible!”

 

[Annie39]

Thanks everyone. I would like to learn what others, maybe a priest has to say if you would like to post here.

Annie

 

[Linusthe2nd]

Recently a Catholic, whom I don’t know, I just heard him speak told us to do away with all the prayers and spiritualities of antiquity that we should instead read the bible, especially Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. This of course is not a bad suggestion (the reading of the Gospels that is) but he said that it is because Jesus Christ is present in the bible as He is present in people, which is why we need to show charity. He did say something like, not to take away from what we receive at table or words to that effect. He definitely left the impression that he believes that Jesus is present in the Eucharist, the written word of God and the people equally. This left me with a bit of an uncomfortable feeling. Is what the speaker said in line with Catholic Doctrine?

Thank you,

Annie

First, be careful who you listen to. Follow the advice in the CCC, the documents of the Church, the pronouncements of the Pope, your pastor.

But to get to the point. Daily reading of the Scriptures is highly recommended, but one should not think that this is to replace other spiritual practices, especially attending daily Mass and receiving the Sacraments.

Christ is present in many ways. He is present Physically and Alive in the Eucharest. In the other Sacraments he is Present in his Spiritual Reality, similar to the way he is Present to the Trinity. This is a very special Presence, since He is Present as One Who is bestowing the graces of Salvation.

He is Present Spiritually also in the persons of our Bishops, Priests, and Deacons as they exercise their priestly ministry. And one can say he is present in a special way in our parents, teachers, and those whom God has placed in authority over us. The authority and direction they exercise over us is God’s own authority, discounting those instances when they are not listening to their Divine guide, or when they are being disobedient and violating their God given trust…

He is present in us as the our creator and sustainer and our inspiration. This is a real presence, but it is not a physical presence and one should say that each person of the Trininty is present in us, really, each working to accomplish the Divine Will in us each in his special way…

He is also present in all of nature, really present, right down to the smallest unknown particle, creating, sustaining and directing all things to their proper ends, but not so as to obstruct the proper operations of the natures he has given each substance and creature.

You can actually say that we are literally surrounded by the Divine Presence.

Linus2nd