What is the benefit of eating Jesus' flesh and blood?

[cheezey]

Let me explain to hopefully allieviate your confusion. A legitimate Christian is one who not only professes to be Christian but also lives the faith. To say you are Christian but then act contrary to the teachings of Christ makes one a hypocrite and therefore not a legitimate Christian person in the eyes of God.

Thank you. And let me apologize; I thought you were the first to use the word “legit.” Sorry!!
Thank you for your reply. I understand it.
I was concerned, as many profess and live as such as they know it .

 

[cheezey]

… You might look at it this way: you’ve been invited to the feast, you have your “invitation” in hand, but the day of the feast hasn’t come yet. Please keep trusting in the Lord, that there is a purpose for your waiting, and that their will be such sweetness when you receive Him in full communion with the Church.

I gotcha; it’s just that, I am not a kid, and I am not well. Add to that the feeling that I’ve been given the invitation, and people, Not God, are refusing me and/or making me watch the feast from the other side of the window…

I’m discerning the priesthood, and at this point I will have to wait about 6 years before ordination (if this is truly what God is calling me to be).

for you!

May God continue to bless you on your journey, and may the peace of Christ be with you.

Grateful to share,

Tom

Thank you.

 

[tequirk]

I gotcha; it’s just that, I am not a kid, and I am not well. Add to that the feeling that I’ve been given the invitation, and people, Not God, are refusing me and/or making me watch the feast from the other side of the window…

for you!

Thank you.

I’m not one to rock the boat usually, but have you taken your concerns to your pastor? If he hasn’t responded to your satisfaction, what about your Bishop? It sounds like you may have special circumstances. Forgive me if you’ve already addressed this elsewhere:

If they make no exception for you for Communion, and you are truly in poor health and/or are “seasoned” enough (and your baptism has been recognized by the Church), perhaps you would be able to receive Anointing of the Sick and even go to Confession to receive those special graces in the meantime. Usually RCIA classes will have all baptized participants go to Confession together, but have they instructed you not to go beforehand? These are just ideas… :twocents:

Thanks for reading and for your prayers. Be assured you have mine as well.

Your brother in Christ,

Tom

 

[classica87]

** I am in RCIA and cannot partake. This saddens me. Not only because I believe in the manner required to partake, but also, because, unwittingly, I always have…

There is a Prayer for Spiritual Communion. Google it, and say it during Mass. I love to say it before the Blessed Sacrament in Adoration. Trust me, God sees your desire, and appreciates it. Just hang in there! I know its hard not to be impatient, but God will reward your obedience to His Church!

 

[cheezey]

There is a Prayer for Spiritual Communion. Google it, and say it during Mass. I love to say it before the Blessed Sacrament in Adoration. Trust me, God sees your desire, and appreciates it. Just hang in there! I know its hard not to be impatient, but God will reward your obedience to His Church!

:thankyou:

 

[rcwitness]

Because He told us to do it.

That’s all the reasons I need.

Praise God that our Church has not lost its way over the centuries…then again, He also established the Church!

That’s why we should believe and partake. I was interested in hearing Catholics personal benefits by obeying. Not that we need to know the benefits. but it can help other Christians understand the purpose.

I also believe John 6, where Our Lord speaks of the neccessity to eat in order to enter the kingdom of God, to mean the Body of Christ or Church. Not only post judgement heaven.

michael

 

[rcwitness]

thank you for including the Breaking Bread Christians.
Secondly, thank you for the thread and opportunity.

I guess, technically, I am neither.**
Having Broken Bread most of my life, I felt Him with me and within me as my faith in Him grew.
(And if I converted at this very moment, I stilll will have Broken Bread longer.)
Did I as yet know the Catholic teaching on this? Not at all. So perhaps I knew something before I knew something. You know?!
But, in later years, as I did learn the Catholic teaching, I said, “Hey! Wait a minute…!”
(And I never understood the Breaking Bread’s view of the Crucifix, and again, before I knew the whys of each “side,” so to to speak. Once I understood each view, (Good Friday 2011), I said, “Hey! Wait a minute…!”

** I am in RCIA and cannot partake. This saddens me. Not only because I believe in the manner required to partake, but also, because, unwittingly, I always have…

That was kinda confusing!
I do use the term Breaking of Bread to speak in biblical terms, and yes to relate to bible alone Christians. But it is still the same thing we are doing. Mass, Eucharist, Communion, Lambs Supper and Breaking the Bread are all similar terms involving the Sacrament. They each have varying specifics associated, maybe.
I would not let your anxieties to receive let you think that you are unfulfilled at this point in your journey. It is the Lord’s desire for you to be patient and have proper fellowship and formation (even if it is in humble submission to the program, if the unfortunate situation of bad catechesis is being given to you). Your heart and eyes are to be fixed on the Spirit of the Father calling you. If you are invited to a dinner, you do not rush to the table, but meet the other guests and respect the host in dinner preparations.

Michael

 

[Vico]

What good does the flesh do to us? Why is it better than believing the bread and wine are only a symbol of what Jesus did for us?

I do not doubt Our Eucharist. I just want to hear what Catholics (and even non-Catholics) have to say about what the actual benefits are, not just why you believe He does truly become food for us.

Please, non-Catholics, feel free to share your devotion to Breaking Bread as well! I genuinely would like to learn more of your understanding of the practice

Peace be with you
Michael

John 6:59 This is the bread that came down from heaven. Not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead. He that eateth this bread, shall live for ever.

 

[cheezey]

That was kinda confusing!

Michael

Why?

 

[rcwitness]

Why?

ummm, Im not sure where to start
I’m not saying I disagree or think you were saying something wrong. Just that, maybe you could have explained that whole thing better.

I got from it, you shared communion with non-Catholic church for a long time and had quite a good sense of the presence of the Lord through it. Then, you suggested, if you were to convert (to Catholicism?) you would… have still continued to practice the Breaking of the Bread longer than ??? I’m not sure? Then you say you learned the different teachings, I think you mean Catholic transubstantiation as opposed to what you grew up sharing. Which was symbol/metaphor? And at that point, you were surprised there was a difference? And what are you saying about the “crucifix” part of Breaking the Bread?

I’m really wanting you to start over with that, sorry. Just too much I wasnt sure about to assume.

I genuinely would like to know.
Michael

 

[Robyn_p]

I guess for me, it’s about the difference between reading my friends letters and talking on the phone and then being right there with him.

It blows my mind, that my God would do this, make himself so vulnerable to us, He wants to be that close to us, that He’ll become our food.

We become one with Him!!

It’s hard to explain the benefit in words, just like it’s hard to explain the benefit of why you want to spend so much time in a person you love’s presence. It’s just…different. Sometimes words just can’t in anyway do it justice.

 

[TEPO]

I believe that only through eating the Body and Blood of Christ, can there be full communion between the Church on earth, the angels and saints in heaven, and God Himself… Communion really is uniting the WHOLE Church together in celebration of Christ.

Aside from that, I’m not even sure that the term “symbol” has held the same meaning for more than about 500 years or so… The original Greek definition of the word meant something like: Bond-together… Which is not the same as as how it’s used today.

 

[rcwitness]

I guess for me, it’s about the difference between reading my friends letters and talking on the phone and then being right there with him.

It blows my mind, that my God would do this, make himself so vulnerable to us, He wants to be that close to us, that He’ll become our food.

We become one with Him!!

It’s hard to explain the benefit in words, just like it’s hard to explain the benefit of why you want to spend so much time in a person you love’s presence. It’s just…different. Sometimes words just can’t in anyway do it justice.

I see. Yes, intimacy is definitely there! One thing to mention though, is without the love of our hearts dedicating to Our Lord, its like sleeping with a girl for sex alone. Its intimate but defiled. So for the Eucharist to be beneficial, we must be marrying Him in our hearts and will.

Thanks for the post Robyn,
Michael

 

[rcwitness]

I believe that only through eating the Body and Blood of Christ, can there be full communion between the Church on earth, the angels and saints in heaven, and God Himself… Communion really is uniting the WHOLE Church together in celebration of Christ.

Aside from that, I’m not even sure that the term “symbol” has held the same meaning for more than about 500 years or so… The original Greek definition of the word meant something like: Bond-together… Which is not the same as as how it’s used today.

Nice to get your (name removed by moderator)ut here TEPO!
Unity in the Church is a definite result of Her full faith in the transubstantiation. Every other split in church history seems to lesson the fullness of Christs body in communion. That is a little telling. Everyone who takes a little of Jesus out of the bread and wine put a little of “man’s (name removed by moderator)ut” into the sacrament. We should just accept the Bread as Him, no longer from earth or man, but He who is from heaven. How else can it be more significant than what He actually blessed it to be?

Peace be with you
Michael

 

[Monte_RCMS]

I’m not one to rock the boat usually, but have you taken your concerns to your pastor? If he hasn’t responded to your satisfaction, what about your Bishop? It sounds like you may have special circumstances. Forgive me if you’ve already addressed this elsewhere:

If they make no exception for you for Communion, and you are truly in poor health and/or are “seasoned” enough (and your baptism has been recognized by the Church), perhaps you would be able to receive Anointing of the Sick and even go to Confession to receive those special graces in the meantime. Usually RCIA classes will have all baptized participants go to Confession together, but have they instructed you not to go beforehand? These are just ideas… :twocents:

Thanks for reading and for your prayers. Be assured you have mine as well.

Your brother in Christ,

Tom

The RCIA program formalized the process of entry into the Catholic Church, with new people entering at Easter.

However, prior to RCIA, individual pastors did the instruction process and when they felt the new people were ready, he gave them permission to start receiving Holy Communion.

So, interested folks should have a chat with their pastor to see what he says.

[It is possible that the pastor is under orders to follow guidance from his bishop or orders from the bureaucracy regarding RCIA … but maybe not. It’s worth starting a dialog.]

 

[cheezey]

Let me explain to hopefully allieviate your confusion. A legitimate Christian is one who not only professes to be Christian but also lives the faith. To say you are Christian but then act contrary to the teachings of Christ makes one a hypocrite and therefore not a legitimate Christian person in the eyes of God.

i was just bothered by the ‘legit.’ i cannot fault those who genuinely believe to be living in Christ’s way…

 

[cheezey]

That’s why we should believe and partake. I was interested in hearing Catholics personal benefits by obeying. Not that we need to know the benefits. but it can help other Christians understand the purpose.

I also believe John 6, where Our Lord speaks of the neccessity to eat in order to enter the kingdom of God, to mean the Body of Christ or Church. Not only post judgement heaven.

ummm, Im not sure where to start
I’m not saying I disagree or think you were saying something wrong. Just that, maybe you could have explained that whole thing better.

Of course, I would have loved to, but I am really lousy at this. And to think I wish to pen a memoir… I tend to write from a passionate heart, which doesn’t always transfer well to typed words…Anywho…

I got from it, you shared communion with non-Catholic church for a long time and had quite a good sense of the presence of the Lord through it.

Grew up Congregational and others. Followed the crowd. I was a kid, what did I know?!
Came to know Christ better, and the commmunion took on new significance. I felt something happening in that very moment, that it was no longer symbolic. I did not yet know about ‘transubstantiation.’ Fell away from church going, but never Christ.

Then, you suggested, if you were to convert (to Catholicism?) you would… have still continued to practice the Breaking of the Bread longer than ??? I’m not sure?

If I converted to Catholicism tomorrow, I still would have been Protestant most of my life. I am coming to Catholicism late in my life. Don’t get a woman to tell her age!!

Then you say you learned the different teachings, I think you mean Catholic transubstantiation as opposed to what you grew up sharing.

Yes. It was an ‘a HA!’ moment from reading the works of a Catholic priest. I actually said to myself, out loud, “Is this why I felt something in those later years? Did I know something unwittingly? Was I experiencing His Holy Presence without realizing it?!! IS THIS WHAT TRANSUBSTANTIATION IS!!!”

Which was symbol/metaphor? And at that point, you were surprised there was a difference?

I simply never knew about T. (I am not typing it again.) I didn’t know there was a difference; I just thought both sides of the Christian coin took communion. I simply knew no more than that. But maybe my heart was then awakened.
? I do not know. I thought I should find out.

And what are you saying about the “crucifix” part of Breaking the Bread?

I caught the Good Friday service live from Rome on EWTN (Insomnia) in 2011 at about the same time as the T revelation. Pun intended. I was captivated that Christ was honored as I always thought He should on this day. Protestants do not do this enough. And again, I did not know the Catholic Church did in this manner.
“Why don’t we do this?” I asked myself. "He died for us. He DIED for us. My God, You died for us.ALL of us. And brutally. Look what He did for us! (Something I always knew, of course, but this 2011 visual really brought it home for me.) How can Protestants NOT venerate this? I never understood. I always wanted to honor this day and thought I was alone in this thought. I just didn’t know otherwise. (I know, silly cheezey…)

How could I now NOT look into the Catholic Church!!! Began reading bunches, including the CCC, and learned that much was in sync to my beliefs. Not all, but much. I began to consider putting church back into my life, now, via the Catholic Church…but I had many questions, too.
(BTW, in the previous post, the "Breaking Bread’s view of the Crucifix"
meant the non Catholics view of the crucifix.They don’t use the crucifix and the official reason makes no sense to me…)

I’m really wanting you to start over with that, sorry. Just too much I wasnt sure about to assume.

whew…you have NO idea how difficult that was. It may still be confusing…

 

[Monica4316]

What good does the flesh do to us? Why is it better than believing the bread and wine are only a symbol of what Jesus did for us?

I do not doubt Our Eucharist. I just want to hear what Catholics (and even non-Catholics) have to say about what the actual benefits are, not just why you believe He does truly become food for us.

Please, non-Catholics, feel free to share your devotion to Breaking Bread as well! I genuinely would like to learn more of your understanding of the practice

Peace be with you
Michael

Hi Michael,

I see it as Jesus uniting Himself with us. It also brings many graces. I see it as real union, rather than just remembering or something symbolic. We receive Him into ourselves, so He unites Himself with us in a very real way, and this is something that He really longs to do, based on some things He’s said to the Saints

Jesus to St Margaret Mary:

“Behold”, said He to her, “this Heart which has so loved men that it has spared nothing, even to exhausting and consuming itself, in order to testify its love. In return, I receive from the greater part only ingratitude, by their irreverence and sacrilege, and by the coldness and contempt they have for Me in this sacrament of love. What is most painful to Me,” added the Savior, in a tone that went to the Sister’s heart, “is that they are hearts consecrated to Me”

I love this quote also:

“It is there in His Eucharist that He says to me: ‘I thirst, thirst for your love, your sacrifices, your sufferings. I thirst for your happiness, for it was to save you that I came into the world, that I suffered and died on the Cross, and in order to console and strengthen you I left you the Eucharist. So you have there all my life, all my tenderness.’”

• Mother Mary of Jesus, the Foundress of the Sisters of Marie Reparatrice

This website has many great quotes: therealpresence.org/eucharst/tes/quotes3.html

also: archive.org/details/imitationsacred00arnouoft This book has some great chapters about the Eucharist that have helped me understand why Jesus instituted this Sacrament

 

[jpjd]

It is food for the journey.

With “regular” food, the food becomes part of us.

With the Body and Blood of Jesus, we become part of it…more and more like Jesus. We become the gift we receive.

This is the answer to your question.

 

[mommamaree]

I could be way off base here, but to me the Mass feels like a wedding of heaven and earth, God and humanity. In the Eucharist, Jesus gives Himself to each of us, and even to me personally, just as a bridegroom pledges himself to his bride. Just like a human wedding, the consummation of the marriage takes place after the ceremony, the Consummation of God wedding humanity will be at the end of time. So Mass is a foretaste of heaven for me, when I experience Jesus’ love and He gives Himself to me in an intimate friendship that conforms me to Him a little more each time I receive worthily. The fact that He is physically present is central to this, because what groom could pledge himself without being physically present at the wedding? The eating of His flesh is what actually accomplishes His work in me. His flesh is extraordinary food, which sustains not only my body, but strengthens grace in my soul. It also prepares me for heaven.
Sorry to ramble a bit, but my thoughts tend to play around the edges of the wonderful mystery of the Eucharist.