Hey guys, hope all of you are having a good weekend. I would like to ask all of you for some help explaining the significance and purpose behind this whole third grade communion class.
The Eucharist is God’s WAY of showing US that He Loves US
Make that the foundation for your task {ITS ALL ABOUT LOVE}
- If we’re eating the Body of Christ, doesn’t that make us cannibals?
NO
WHY NOT?
BECAUSE it is the Now Glorified Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus. It’s a Mystery and a Miracle {explain both terms}
READ from the Bible:
I suggest Jn 20: 1-22 to set the foundation of the Resurrection.
http://drbo.org/chapter/50020.htm
This is just the hi-light part:
Jn 20: 19-22 " [19] Now when it was late that same day, the first of the week, and the doors were shut, where the disciples were gathered together, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them: Peace be to you. [20] And when he had said this, he shewed them his hands and his side. .
21] He said to them again: Peace be to you. As the Father hath sent me, I also send you. [22] When he had said this, he breathed on them; and he said to them: Receive ye the Holy Ghost.
Douay Bile explanation
“[19] The doors were shut: The same power which could bring Christ’s whole body, entire in all its dimensions, through the doors, can without the least question make the same body really present in the sacrament; though both the one and the other be above our comprehension”.
Introduce it with:
God can be defined as ALL GOOD THINGS PERFECTED
God can do ANY Good Thing; Because Holy Communion is the very BEST thing possible {truly JESUS/God} we can KNOW that He can and does do this out of LOVE for us
Then Mt. 28: 18-20
Douay-Rheims Bible, Matthew Chapter 28
[18] And Jesus coming, spoke to them, saying: All power is given to me in heaven and in earth.** [20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.**
DOUAY Bible explanation
[18] All power: See here the warrant and commission of the apostles and their successors, the bishops and pastors of Christ’s church. He received from his Father all power in heaven and in earth: and in virtue of this power, he sends them (even as his Father sent him, St. John 20. 21 and that he may assist them effectually in the execution of this commission, he promises to be with them
Out of Love for us; Jesus desires to actually stay with us and even BE in us to help us be good and avoid sin.
- How does the bread and the wine become the Body and Blood of Christ?
Its a Mystery and a Miracle that GOD permits His Catholic Priest to do in His name
Holy Communion IS:
FROM God the Father
OF God the Son
BY God the Holy Spirit
{The Trinity is another Mystery we don’t fully understand}
Q: WHY does Jesus do this?
A. Because He loves us and wants us to get to heaven with Him:thumbsup:
Then as BACK UP be aware of these passages
1 Tim. 2:4-5 [4] "Who will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
The Early Church understood, believed and practiced Holy Communion too. It was at first called “THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD”
Acts: 2:42 “And they were persevering in the doctrine of the apostles, and in the communication of the breaking of bread, and in prayers”
If they are still very doubtful {not likely IMO} here is St Paul’s evidence:
1 Cor, 11: 23-27
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23] For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread. [24] And giving thanks, broke, and said: Take ye, and eat: this is my body, which shall be delivered for you: this do for the commemoration of me. [25] In like manner also the chalice, after he had supped, saying: This chalice is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as often as you shall drink, for the commemoration of me.[26] For as often as you shall eat this bread, and drink the chalice, you shall shew the death of the Lord, until he come…
And John GRAPHIC Testimonly
Jn 6:47-58
Douay-Rheims Bible, John Chapter 6
[51] I am the living bread which came down from heaven. [52] If any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever; and the bread that I will give, is my flesh, for the life of the world[55] He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath everlasting life: and I will raise him up in the last day.
[56] For my flesh is meat indeed: and my blood is drink indeed. [57] He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, abideth in me, and I in him And this is precisely WHAT Does take place in Catholic Holy Communion:thumbsup:
DOUAY Explanation
[54] Eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood: To receive the body and blood of Christ, is a divine precept, Hence, life eternal is here promised to the worthy receiving, Ver. 52. If any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever; and the bread that I will give, is my flesh for the life of the world. Ver. 58. He that eateth me, the same also shall live by me. Ver. 59. He that eateth this bread, shall live for ever.
Pray MUCH and ask the Holy Spirit to be with you and the class!
God Bless you and THANKS for your Minstry!
Patrick
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