Question from a Seeking Jew

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CARose:
As I said to a friend of mine, what a kind and gentle God we have who feeds us this sacred meal without doing so in a way that allows us to truly see that which we imbibe. Can you image being able to accept a hunk of flesh? It would repulse us to the point of rejection. At the same time, if it were readily apparent to the senses that we were partaking of divinity, who would step forward to partake? We slowly become aware of the awesome gift we have been given, as we also learn that God desires that we accept such an incredible sacrifice given on our behalf so that we can join him in his eternal life.
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Wow!! Well said!

:cool:
 
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Ghosty:
Jew_Man_73: I thought you might find this story interesting, given your own experience. It’s from the Salvation Is From The Jews website, and it regards the experience of a Jewish man named Alphonse Ratisbonne who found the Catholic Church after years of outright hostility towards it:

This was a man who was not even doing the kind of searching that you’ve been doing, and Miriam reached out directly to him. In fact, he lost most of what he had in the experience, so he had absolutely no reason to have made it all up. Your experience reminded me of his, so I thought I’d post it here. There are other experiences on that website, including the author’s visitation by Mary, I believe. Might be worth checking out. God bless! 😃
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Thank you very much. I didn’t realize they had a website. I’m going to browse around, it sounds interesting. I’m also happy to learn that G-d and the Virgin Miriam are reaching out to the Jews. Cool! 😃
 
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CARose:
It’s called the difference between the substance and the accidence. The accidence is what it looks and tastes like and when it changes substantially to the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the accidence (the appearance) remains as bread and wine.

As I said to a friend of mine, what a kind and gentle God we have who feeds us this sacred meal without doing so in a way that allows us to truly see that which we imbibe. Can you image being able to accept a hunk of flesh? It would repulse us to the point of rejection. At the same time, if it were readily apparent to the senses that we were partaking of divinity, who would step forward to partake? We slowly become aware of the awesome gift we have been given, as we also learn that God desires that we accept such an incredible sacrifice given on our behalf so that we can join him in his eternal life.

If the host did not remain in the appearance of bread and wine, we mere humans would have a hard time bringing ourselves to accept this gift God humbled himself to give.

In the form of bread, God’s humility is complete, for what meal is more humble than that of bread?

There are recorded miracles where the Host did not remain in the form of Bread and Wine, but actually visually transformed at the consecration. One of the most famous of these was the Eucharistic Miracle at Lanciano. I had the opportunity, during my 2003 pilgrimage to Rome, to visit Lanciano and see this host, which has been available for perpetual adoration in a chapel in Lanciano Italy for hundreds of years. They did tissue testing and confirmed that it was Human Myocardial Tissue of the AB+ Blood type (I think the blood type is correct), which was the same blood type as the image found on the Shroud of Turin.

The Miracle of Lanciano is said to have occurred when a priest was having difficulty believing in the Eucharist. One day, as he said the consecration, the Host transformed and the wine turned to blood. Because the miracle occurred as a result of his doubt, his name has not been passed on with the story, but the miraculous Host and Wine remain as a gift for all others, who like him, have difficulty believing that which they cannot see.

On another note, how was your conversation with the priest, and did you get information regarding the stations of the Cross?

Oh yeah, did you say you had originally converted to Judaism? If so, how long ago was that? I think you said you’d had a history of Protestantism.

Anyways, God Bless you JM. Your new tagline sent shivers up my spine. It’s a great way of acknowledging who you are. When you first took the tag of Jew_Man_73, I was a bit concerned, as I don’t typically refer to someone as “Jew Man”, but I’ve become accustomed to it, and would miss it if you changed.

I look forward to continuing to watch you grow in your faith.

CARose
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Wow, that story is amazing! I’ve never heard anything like it before! I’m going to see if I can dig through the parish library and see what I can find on the Eucharist. What you said makes alot of sense. G-d is truly merciful not to force His children to eat what feels and tastes like a chunk of flesh and a chalice of blood. Interesting.

My talk with the priest this morning actually ended up going very well. I prayed alot beforehand. I was nervous when I was telling him, because I thought he would think I was crazy or lying. He believed me, though. He said that he’s heard other stories about things like this happening to people who were considering conversion, especially Jews. He did say that he has never personally known anyone that this has happened to, however. He told me to keep it to myself, at least for now. (Which is fine with me.) He said that at some time in the future, G-d might want me to tell someone, and He would let me know if He did. I left feeling encouraged.

As for my screen name, that’s simply an example of my weird sense of humor. :whacky: I’m sorry it caused you concern at the beginning, but I’m glad you’re ok with it now.

I’m glad you like my tag line!

I grew up a nominal Pentecostal. My parents never went to church regularly, and weren’t involved in any church activities. I stopped going when I was 15, and converted to Judaism (My father was Jewish, but non-practicing) in my early twenties. As a result, I never really learned the Bible, or what Christianity was really about.
 
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CARose:
Well, since you have no suggestions for reading this summer, I thought I’d pass this on. I found it on another thread:

CARose
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Thank you! I am DEFINITELY going to have to find this book!
 
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jimmytoes:
JM, RE: the book, the Real Messiah, I got a response from Assoc. of Heberw Catholics, and put it in a PM to you. Basically, they were unaware of it, but will be checking it out.

Though it may be a moot point judging from your new signature… :rolleyes:

:blessyou:

Jim

(I’ll bet you got to Senior Member on this thread alone.)
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LOL, Bless you too! Yes, you’re right. I achieved the lofty status of Senior Member by posting solely on this thread! 😃
 
I’m glad things went well for you with the priest. It sounds like he handled it extremely well.

I’m glad to know that you’ll be learning more about the Eucharist. As has been said before on this thread, it is the Summit of Christian Faith.

CARose

Oh, and your handle didn’t cause me too much distress, I was just concerned about offending someone who saw us referring to you as Jew Man, so I’ve abbreviated to JM and feel quite OK with it.
 
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CARose:
I’m glad things went well for you with the priest. It sounds like he handled it extremely well.

I’m glad to know that you’ll be learning more about the Eucharist. As has been said before on this thread, it is the Summit of Christian Faith.

CARose

Oh, and your handle didn’t cause me too much distress, I was just concerned about offending someone who saw us referring to you as Jew Man, so I’ve abbreviated to JM and feel quite OK with it.
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Oh, ok. I’m glad it didn’t upset you very much. Maybe calling me JM is a better idea, in case another Jewish poster becomes offended by “Jew Man.”

I feel very fortunate to have found this parish. I’ve never felt this loved or accepted in my life. I didn’t even feel this loved and accepted in my synagogue, and the people there were very friendly.

For example, the RCIA director at the parish called me again today. She was going to talk to me at Mass this morning, but didn’t catch me before I left, so she called just to check in with me to see how I was doing. She wanted to know if I had any prayer requests or needed to talk about anything. Then, as usual, she told me to please call her or come by the church anytime if I needed anything.

This is really cool!
 
Hi everyone,
This isn't really big news, but I wanted to share it with all of you. I'm on the choir at church. The RCIA director was aware that i was on the choir at my synagogue, so she talked to the choir director and one thing led to another. The choir director even wants me to sing a solo next week. It all happened so fast, it almost left me dizzy. But it does feel good to sing again! It's been too long! (Of course, I'm going to need to practice alot. I don't know any of the songs!)
 
You’re really lucky, God seems to have brought you into a truly warm environment. Know that persecution is also part of the program, so at some point in the future you will most likely find that part of what you’re contending with. For now, you are being welcomed into the Fullness of the Love of God in a warm and comforting manner by a God who loves you enough to call you home.

Congratulations,

CARose
 
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CARose:
You’re really lucky, God seems to have brought you into a truly warm environment. Know that persecution is also part of the program, so at some point in the future you will most likely find that part of what you’re contending with. For now, you are being welcomed into the Fullness of the Love of God in a warm and comforting manner by a God who loves you enough to call you home.

Congratulations,

CARose
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Thank you for the congratulations. I have been very fortunate. I’ve come to the conclusion that G-d has led me deliberately to this parish because He knew this is where I need to be. I do anticipate some persecution, though. I’ve already lost two friends, and I’m sure I’ll lose more. Also, North Carolina is a predominantly Protestant state, and my town is certainly no exception. Catholics are a minority here. I’m sure I’ll encounter some unpleasantness at some point because of this.

By the way, I’m singing “Precious L-rd” at the anointing Mass next week. I practiced it tonight at church. Wow, what a beautiful and powerful song! Has anyone ever heard it?
 
This has been a most enlightening discussion - I have learned so much, but I’m going to have to go through it again, because I think a lot of it has sailed right over my head. 🙂

Thank you for starting the thread, JM, and I’m so glad that you’ve found your spiritual home. I’m a new convert too, so perhaps we will end up muddling through a few things together over the next months. 🙂

I love to sing, too and hope to join the choir at my eventual church.(we’re moving to another state in a couple of months) I’m sure your solos will be fine - don’t be nervous - the bubbling over of loving joy can’t help but give you a strong voice. 🙂

Have a good time with it!
Elizabeth
 
I think it’s interesting the contrast between the Jewish and Catholic reaction to persecution. In both situations, we recognise it’s a sign of our relationship with God. With Catholics, we forgive as Jesus has taught us to forgive.

Also, we learn to answer for our Hope with Love and Patience.
CARose
 
Welcome Elizabeth,

The fun thing about these forums is that when we make a geographical move, we don’t need to lose our forum friends.

CARose
 
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ElizabethJoy:
This has been a most enlightening discussion - I have learned so much, but I’m going to have to go through it again, because I think a lot of it has sailed right over my head. 🙂

Thank you for starting the thread, JM, and I’m so glad that you’ve found your spiritual home. I’m a new convert too, so perhaps we will end up muddling through a few things together over the next months. 🙂

I love to sing, too and hope to join the choir at my eventual church.(we’re moving to another state in a couple of months) I’m sure your solos will be fine - don’t be nervous - the bubbling over of loving joy can’t help but give you a strong voice. 🙂

Have a good time with it!
Elizabeth
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Hello, and welcome! It’s good to see a recent convert on here! I’m planning to enter RCIA officially this fall, to be confirmed next year. My RCIA director has told me that if I can’t wait until the fall, we can do some one on one classes this summer, and we can study whtever topics I’m interested in. I’m thinking of asking her if we can start out studying the Eucharist.

I’m nervous, but also excited about singing in the choir. I love to sing, so I’m sure this will end up being a good experience.

Let me know how your faith journey is going. I’ll be praying for you! 🙂

PS: I’m glad to hear that this forum has been useful to you. G-d bless!
 
Everyone:

I would like to ask you all to please pray for me. My faith in Yeshua is very new. Now that I have seen the truth and accepted Him, I’m sure there will be trials and temptations ahead for me. Please pray that G-d will help me, strenghten me, and make me the person that He wants me to be.

In Yeshua, I see the kind of person I want to be. Loving, kind, patient, forgiving. Please pray that G-d will help me become that person. Please pray that G-d will help me become the Christian that He wants me to be.

I’m definitely not perfect. I have a tendency to be overly critical and judgmental at times. I have a hot temper at times. I have a tendency to be pessimistic. I know I will stumble and sin. Please pray that with G-d’s help, I will do my best to avoid sin and shine the light of Yeshua to everyone I meet.

In fact, I had an argument with someone today, and my attitude wasn’t very Christian. I’m going to apologize to this person. As my Protestant friends are very fond of saying, “G-d’s not finished with me yet.”

I would greatly appreciate your prayers. I could use each and every one.
 
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