The Eucharist in Sacred Scripture

[rebeccanew]

Where is Sacred Scripture is an explaination of why only a Priest can consecrate the Host? I have a female Methodist Minister who stated that she can give communion and I would like to refer to Scripture with a response.

 

[Eucharisted]

Catechism of the Catholic Church

VI. Who Can Receive This Sacrament?

1577 “Only a baptized man (vir) validly receives sacred ordination.” The Lord Jesus chose men (viri) to form the college of the twelve apostles, and the apostles did the same when they chose collaborators to succeed them in their ministry. The college of bishops, with whom the priests are united in the priesthood, makes the college of the twelve an ever-present and ever-active reality until Christ’s return. the Church recognizes herself to be bound by this choice made by the Lord himself. For this reason the ordination of women is not possible.

1578 No one has a right to receive the sacrament of Holy Orders. Indeed no one claims this office for himself; he is called to it by God. (“No one takes this honor upon himself but only when called by God, just as Aaron was.” Heb 5:4) Anyone who thinks he recognizes the signs of God’s call to the ordained ministry must humbly submit his desire to the authority of the Church, who has the responsibility and right to call someone to receive orders. Like every grace this sacrament can be received only as an unmerited gift.

1579 All the ordained ministers of the Latin Church, with the exception of permanent deacons, are normally chosen from among men of faith who live a celibate life and who intend to remain celibate “for the sake of the kingdom of heaven.” (“Some are incapable of marriage because they were born so; some, because they were made so by others; some, because they have renounced marriage for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Whoever can accept this ought to accept it.” Matt 19:12) Called to consecrate themselves with undivided heart to the Lord and to “the affairs of the Lord,” (“I should like you to be free of anxieties. An unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord.” 1 Cor 7:32) they give themselves entirely to God and to men. Celibacy is a sign of this new life to the service of which the Church’s minister is consecrated; accepted with a joyous heart celibacy radiantly proclaims the Reign of God.

1580 In the Eastern Churches a different discipline has been in force for many centuries: while bishops are chosen solely from among celibates, married men can be ordained as deacons and priests. This practice has long been considered legitimate; these priests exercise a fruitful ministry within their communities. Moreover, priestly celibacy is held in great honor in the Eastern Churches and many priests have freely chosen it for the sake of the Kingdom of God. In the East as in the West a man who has already received the sacrament of Holy Orders can no longer marry.

 

[thistle]

Where is Sacred Scripture is an explaination of why only a Priest can consecrate the Host? I have a female Methodist Minister who stated that she can give communion and I would like to refer to Scripture with a response.

First, women cannot be priests but lets say it was a male Methodist minister. They do not consecrate anything because they do not believe in the Real Presence.

 

[Nita]

Where is Sacred Scripture is an explaination of why only a Priest can consecrate the Host? I have a female Methodist Minister who stated that she can give communion and I would like to refer to Scripture with a response.

Sacred Scripture does not explain “why” God established a male priesthood, but there is no doubt that He did.

God established a male priesthood in the Old Covenant. In the New Covenant, He Himself (a male) is the High Priest. At the Last Supper, where He established the sacrificial rite to be offered in the New Covenant, He chose to appoint only men. He continued the OT pattern of a male priesthood. Nowhere does He appoint a woman. So, Scripture teaches us the priesthood is to be male through the events/actions it records, rather than a vocal decree of words.

(Perhaps it is connected to Adam, a man, being the one whose sin was the cause of the fall of all mankind. Just a personal thought that I sometimes wonder about.)

Nita

 

[JonNC]

First, women cannot be priests but lets say it was a male Methodist minister. They do not consecrate anything because they do not believe in the Real Presence.

thistle,
I don’t believe that, in Catholic teaching, belief in the real presence is the determining factor. For example, Lutherans and most Anglicans believe in the real presence, but the CC considers our Eucharist as lacking validity because our clergy are either not in apostalic succession, or the apostlic succession is either not valid or not licit. I don’t agree with this position, but I think my understanding is right. I’ll accept corrections if I’m wrong.

Jon

 

[eric_sammons]

rebecca,

Where is Sacred Scripture is an explaination of why only a Priest can consecrate the Host?

At the Last Supper, Jesus told the apostles, “do this in memory of me.” (Luke 22:19). It was only the 12 apostles present when he said that; not even Mary or Mary Magdalene were present. The Church has always seen this as reflective of the fact that Christ only gave the apostles - and their successors - the power to celebrate the Mass.

This was the practice of the Church from the earliest days. For example, Ignatius of Antioch, a disciple of John the Apostle (who was at the Last Supper), wrote:

Let that be deemed a proper Eucharist, which is [administered] either by the bishop, or by one to whom he has entrusted it.
Letter to the Symernians

You also stated:

I have a female Methodist Minister who stated that she can give communion and I would like to refer to Scripture with a response.

The truth is that she can give “communion;” that is, communion in her church. However, this is not the same as the Catholic Eucharist, which we believe can only be consecrated by someone who has been ordained by someone possessing apostolic succession (i.e. the bishops).

 

[maryj]

This might help…catholicapologetics.info/apologetics/protestantism/authority.html