The Bread of Life
A distinguishing charateristic of Catholic Christians (and Orthodox Christians), who believe Jesus is truly present body, blood, soul and divinity in the Eucharist, is the significance of the Eucharist in their faith. Catholics take Jesus at His word in John 6 and as recorded in the synoptic gospels "last supper" account and in St. Paul's letter to the Corinthians.
I realize that there are conscientious people who believe Jesus was speaking symbolically or metaphorically in the John 6 account. For those, I suggest that they read these passages prayerfully and slowly.
I find it interesting that John 6 begins with the multiplication of the loaves and fishes and that this incident and Jesus' discourse on the eating of His flesh and blood takes place around the time of the Passover Festival. It is interesting that when Jesus was speaking, the audience took Him seriously accusing Him of cannibalism and yet He did not correct them nor plead that they stay when they began to turn and walk away from Him.
As every Christian knows, the "Last Supper" occured during a subsequent Passover Festival (a Festival associated with sacrificing lambs and/or young goats [Exodus 12]) and isn't it interesting that John the Baptist had early on in Scripture referred to Jesus as the Lamb of God (John 1:29) and that in the book of Revelation, those in heaven are adoring the Lamb. (Revelation 5:6-10; 7:13-14; 15:3-4)
Christ's words recorded in the synoptic gospels (Matthew 26:26-30; Mark 14:22-26; & Luke 22:14-23) are also very precise--"...this is my body....this is my blood..." When we read St. Paul's account of the "Last Supper" and his susbsequent instruction it sure implies to me that the breaking and sharing of the bread and the sharing of the cup is more than a symbolic reenactment (1 Corinthians 11:17-33). If this ritual was simply symbolic, why I ask, does St. Paul write: "This means that every time we eat this bread and drink from this cup you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes. It follows that if anyone eats the Lord's bread or drinks from His cup in a way that dishonors Him, he is quilty of sin against the Lord's body and blood. So then, everyone should examin himself first, and then eat the bread and drink from the cup. For if he does not recognize the meaning of the Lord's body when he eats the bread and drinks from the cup, he brings judgement on himself as he eats and drinks." (1 Corinthians 11:26-29)
As I noted at the beginning, the preceding passages warrant prayful reflection. I wish everyone could experience the joy and peace I receive when I receive the Eucharist.
I realize that there are conscientious people who believe Jesus was speaking symbolically or metaphorically in the John 6 account. For those, I suggest that they read these passages prayerfully and slowly.
I find it interesting that John 6 begins with the multiplication of the loaves and fishes and that this incident and Jesus' discourse on the eating of His flesh and blood takes place around the time of the Passover Festival. It is interesting that when Jesus was speaking, the audience took Him seriously accusing Him of cannibalism and yet He did not correct them nor plead that they stay when they began to turn and walk away from Him.
As every Christian knows, the "Last Supper" occured during a subsequent Passover Festival (a Festival associated with sacrificing lambs and/or young goats [Exodus 12]) and isn't it interesting that John the Baptist had early on in Scripture referred to Jesus as the Lamb of God (John 1:29) and that in the book of Revelation, those in heaven are adoring the Lamb. (Revelation 5:6-10; 7:13-14; 15:3-4)
Christ's words recorded in the synoptic gospels (Matthew 26:26-30; Mark 14:22-26; & Luke 22:14-23) are also very precise--"...this is my body....this is my blood..." When we read St. Paul's account of the "Last Supper" and his susbsequent instruction it sure implies to me that the breaking and sharing of the bread and the sharing of the cup is more than a symbolic reenactment (1 Corinthians 11:17-33). If this ritual was simply symbolic, why I ask, does St. Paul write: "This means that every time we eat this bread and drink from this cup you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes. It follows that if anyone eats the Lord's bread or drinks from His cup in a way that dishonors Him, he is quilty of sin against the Lord's body and blood. So then, everyone should examin himself first, and then eat the bread and drink from the cup. For if he does not recognize the meaning of the Lord's body when he eats the bread and drinks from the cup, he brings judgement on himself as he eats and drinks." (1 Corinthians 11:26-29)
As I noted at the beginning, the preceding passages warrant prayful reflection. I wish everyone could experience the joy and peace I receive when I receive the Eucharist.
posted by Paul Amrhein | 2:19 PM
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