The Eucharist

[FillTheVoid]

I’m a Protestant, I find myself hungry and thirsting for something more.

I feel like a man wandering in the desert for a week without food or water.

I’m praying, reading the bible, trying not to sin etc.

I’m just looking for more depth I guess.

I’ve been told you’re not supposed to do Communion confess to a priest and do everything that Catholics do because it’s then as if you don’t believe Christ’s death on the Cross was sufficient and are therefore denying him.

Is it faith alone that gets me forgiven of my sins and saves me.

What’s the answer?

Will the Eucharist fill in what’s missing?

 

[sandmountainsli]

Another Protestant here.
I have being feeling similar (I attend a Congregational Methodist Church).
I believe the Eucharists could have something to do with it.
I am unhappy with the way my church holds communions so far apart from one another and most likely begin attending a United Methodist Church simply because I KNOW the Eucharist will be given monthly rather than “when ever”.
I think the Eucharist could be the key.
WP

 

[Roman_Catholic_1]

Hello FillTheVoid, welcome to the forums.

Is it faith alone that gets me forgiven of my sins and saves me.

I was just reading some “aw-fensive” questions to ask a sola fide protestant: here was the question that stuck out to me… There were 4 all together so you can look at the rest for yourself

Question #1: If we are saved by faith alone, then do we need to love in order to be saved? If so, then we are not saved by faith alone, are we? We are saved by faith and love—which Catholics refer to as faith working through love (cf. Gal. 5:6). If a person says we do not need love in order to be saved, then he is saying we can get to heaven without loving God or our fellow man—a patently ridiculous position to take. Also, if faith alone saves us, faith without love, why does 1 Corinthians 13:13 say that love is greater than faith? After all, if salvation is the greatest thing we can achieve, and it is by faith alone that we achieve salvation, then faith should be greater than love. But the Bible says differently.

catholic.com/thisrock/2004/0410fea4sb.asp

And of course my favorite site for anything involving scriptural defense of the Catholic faith:

scripturecatholic.com/salvation.html

God Bless

 

[joshua_b]

Catholics believe that Salvation is a free gift from God. There is nothing we as human beings could ever do to “deserve” that gift or “earn” our salvation…only Christ’s sacrifice could achieve that for us.

That being said, Salvation IS a gift, and the Catholic Church teaches that we are free to accept it or reject it. If we choose to accept the gift of Salvation, then we must accept it on the terms that it is offered, not our own. We believe that to ignore essential doctrines and teachings that Jesus gave the Apostles is to refuse to accept Salvation on the terms that Jesus offers it.

Everything we do as Catholics, we do because the early Church (the Apostles) were instructed to do by Jesus. Confession, the Eucharist (communion), and every other thing we believe is firmly rooted in Scripture and in the recorded history of the earliest Christians.

The Eucharist would certainly fill that void, provided you were properly disposed to receive Jesus in such an intimate way. You have certainly come to the right place to have your questions answered. My personal suggestion is that first you obtain a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and read it. The Catechism is what the Catholic Church officially teaches. If you have specific questions on specific points (which you will if you respond to the Holy Spirit’s prompting you to search for Truth), post your questions (individually) here on the CAF…there are many knowledgeable individuals here.

If you do those things (and most importantly PRAY that the Holy Spirit lead you to all truth), you may find that alot of what you were told about Catholicism is just plain false.

God bless you in your search…

 

[alexaustralia]

I’ve been told you’re not supposed to do Communion confess to a priest and do everything that Catholics do because it’s then as if you don’t believe Christ’s death on the Cross was sufficient and are therefore denying him.

Hi FillTheVoid

Now I am at lunch break so don’t have too much time but I’ll try to give my 2 cents as best I can (& hopefully Im right on this)…

As Catholics we believe that Jesus work is complete. He has granted the grace neccessary for our salvation. However that grace has to be applied to us as individuals throughout our lives. So the Sacraments etc… are not something outside the redeeming work of Christ but we see it as the present personal application of his redemptive work gained in the Cross. I hope I managed to explain this right…

Unfortunately I do not have time to go over the specifics about the Eucharist…all I can say is that once you believe that Christ is really present in the Eucharist it will really change your life. Read about it, specially from the Early Church Fathers and you will see that through history this doctrine has not been changed. Even some of the protestant reformers adhered, to different levels, to the presence of Christ.

Cheers

Alex

 

[McKevin]

I’m a Protestant, I find myself hungry and thirsting for something more.

I feel like a man wandering in the desert for a week without food or water.

I’m praying, reading the bible, trying not to sin etc.

I’m just looking for more depth I guess.

I’ve been told you’re not supposed to do Communion confess to a priest and do everything that Catholics do because it’s then as if you don’t believe Christ’s death on the Cross was sufficient and are therefore denying him.

Is it faith alone that gets me forgiven of my sins and saves me.

What’s the answer?

Will the Eucharist fill in what’s missing?

I converted to Catholicism from an evangelical holiness style of protestatism 4 years ago and I converted because once I understood John Chapter 6 there was no other alternative. Read John Chapter 6 and don’t gloss over the fact that many people found Jesus’ words difficult and left him on that day. But for those who followed Christ, well they accepted those words!

Another suggestion is to find a Eucharistic Adoration Chapel in a local Catholic church and go spend time there. You don’t have to be Catholic to spend time there and the best way to find the truth is to seek! Matthew 7:7 says Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

God bless you and the peace of Christ be with you!

 

[Mommyof02green]

I’m a Protestant, I find myself hungry and thirsting for something more.
I feel like a man wandering in the desert for a week without food or water. I’m praying, reading the bible, trying not to sin etc. I’m just looking for more depth I guess.

I’ve been told you’re not supposed to do Communion confess to a priest and do everything that Catholics do because it’s then as if you don’t believe Christ’s death on the Cross was sufficient and are therefore denying him. Is it faith alone that gets me forgiven of my sins and saves me.

It’s a shame that you have been told that! The Seven Sacraments (Eucharist, Confession, Holy Orders, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, Baptism and Confirmation) come from the Bible.:bible1:

You might find it helpful to read the following.

Q: Many Protestants believe we are saved by Faith Alone and they say Catholic believe they can “work” their way into Heaven. How do you answer that? {click here for answer}

Q: Why do Catholics confess their sins to a priest, rather than going directly to God? {click here for answer}

Reviewing these tracts might help you out also: {click here to see more tracts regarding the sacraments

Listening to these programs might be helpful:
{click here to listen to The Sacraments Through the Ages with Fr. Charles Connor}

{click here to listen to “That they may have life” with Fr. Pablo Straub}

{click here to listen to “Swear to God” with Scott Hahn and Mike Aquilina}

and finally listen to this program might help answer some questions {click here to listen to The Mass and the Apocalypse with Scott Hahn and Mike Aquilina}

You might also find it helpful to read the CCC (Catechism of the Catholic Church) to see what the Catholic Church actually teaches, regarding faith, morals, Eucharist, Christ, God, etc. {click here} to read the CCC via Internet.

Also these web sources might also be helpful.
For a Catholic Based Bible study {click here}

For a Free Home Based Study of the Catholic Faith {click here}

What’s the answer? Will the Eucharist fill in what’s missing?

I believe the Eucharist and the Catholic Faith will fill that void that you feel is missing.

Another Protestant here. I have being feeling similar (I attend a Congregational Methodist Church). I believe the Eucharists could have something to do with it. I am unhappy with the way my church holds communions so far apart from one another and most likely begin attending a United Methodist Church simply because I KNOW the Eucharist will be given monthly rather than “when ever”. I think the Eucharist could be the key. WP

In the Catholic Church the Eucharist is given at every Mass. Also, Mass is offered every day!

 

[FillTheVoid]

Ok that’s it.

I’m comming home

 

[water]

Ok that’s it.

I’m comming home

Did you mean you are soon to be part of Catholic family?

God bless.

 

[FillTheVoid]

I’m going to do it.

I’m convinced this is what I should do.

I’ll begin right away, going to find a Catholic Church in my area asap.

 

[water]

I’m going to do it.

I’m convinced this is what I should do.

I’ll begin right away, going to find a Catholic Church in my area asap.

woo! hooo! I definitely keep you in my daily prayers.
I am really really excited.

What state are you in? If you happen to be in Austin or Round Rock city of Texas - I could tell you a great church you can join

I’ve been reading similar stories when one opens his heart and mind to search the Truth, he/she finds it - the work of the Holy Spirit is great!

 

[Mommyof02green]

I’m going to do it.

I’m convinced this is what I should do.

I’ll begin right away, going to find a Catholic Church in my area asap.

:clapping: Welcome! :bible1:

This is only the beginning of your Journey! Joining the Catholic Church is the beginning not the end…

 

[sandmountainsli]

I’m going to do it.

I’m convinced this is what I should do.

I’ll begin right away, going to find a Catholic Church in my area asap.

I will give the United Methodists a go.
At least they speak the Saxon tongue like we do.
The only Catholic Church in my area holds Mass in Spanish rather than Saxon.
I wouldn’t understand a word of it.
UM here I come!
WP

 

[FillTheVoid]

I’m in Missouri. South of Kansas City, right on the border really.

There are tons of Churches in my area so I’m sure I can find a good one.

Thank you guys!

 

[Mommyof02green]

I will give the United Methodists a go.
At least they speak the Saxon tongue like we do.
The only Catholic Church in my area holds Mass in Spanish rather than Saxon.
I wouldn’t understand a word of it.
UM here I come!
WP

:ehh: I find it odd that the Catholic Church in your area does not offer a Mass in your native language.

 

[water]

I’m in Missouri. South of Kansas City, right on the border really.

There are tons of Churches in my area so I’m sure I can find a good one.

Thank you guys!

Great! We will be walking with you on your journey!
Keep us posted!

God bless!

 

[sandmountainsli]

:ehh: I find it odd that the Catholic Church in your area does not offer a Mass in your native language.

This is Bible Belt country.
The only Catholics in the area are recent immigrants from Guatemala and Mexico.
They do not speak Saxon for the most part.
The Mass is held in their language.
WP

 

[alexaustralia]

Even though I am happy for you, something a friend (a convert himself) told me …never make spontaneous decisions specially at your high or low points. Pray and study and don’t let emotions drive you alone because emotions change…

Do go to Mass and check it out by all means but make sure your decision is founded in something concrete so that when in doubt you can go back to it to give you strength and pull you through times of doubt.

Cheers

Alex

 

[Mommyof02green]

This is Bible Belt country.
The only Catholics in the area are recent immigrants from Guatemala and Mexico.
They do not speak Saxon for the most part.
The Mass is held in their language.
WP

I only said that I find it odd! Where I live most everyone speaks English, however we do have a large number of Spanish Speaking Catholics, we even have a small number of Polish Speaking Catholics.

Most of the Masses here are in English, every Church here offers Mass in English. However, there are certain Mass times at certain parishes (churches) that our Spanish speaking Catholics can go to have the Mass done in Spanish. Also one Church here does offer 1 Mass in Polish for our Polish Speaking Catholics.

That is why I thought it was odd…

 

[sandmountainsli]

I only said that I find it odd! Where I live most everyone speaks English, however we do have a large number of Spanish Speaking Catholics, we even have a small number of Polish Speaking Catholics.

Most of the Masses here are in English, every Church here offers Mass in English. However, there are certain Mass times at certain parishes (churches) that our Spanish speaking Catholics can go to have the Mass done in Spanish. Also one Church here does offer 1 Mass in Polish for our Polish Speaking Catholics.

That is why I thought it was odd…

Pretty well our entire Catholic community speaks Spanish.
It is hard to find someone who isn’t Baptist here.
Even us Methodists get looked at funny at times.
WP