That Is Why Many Are Weak And Ill....

My aha moment with respect toward the real presence of Jesus Christ in the bread and wine of the Eurcharist came when I read the following Scripture spoken by St. Paul in 1 Cor. 11:27-31:

"Therefore, whosoever shall eat this bread, or drink the chalice of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and of the blood of the Lord. But let a man prove himself: and so let him eat of that bread and drink of the chalice. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily eateth and drinketh judgment to himself, not discerning the body of the Lord. Therefore are there many infirm and weak among you: and many sleep. But if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged."

If the bread and wine were simply symbols of Christ's body and blood what would be the point of discerning whether it should be taken unworthily or not, after all it's just bread and wine. Notice the verse doesn't say guilty of the bread and wine of the Lord, but the body and blood of the Lord. Paul was capable to use different language if he wanted. BUT if it were really the body and really the blood then there would be a point to discern the matter by which to partake. And least anyone doubt such a thing, a symbolic view of the bread and wine would make this verse, "Therefore are there many infirm and weak among you: and many sleep." absolutely ridculous.

But because they are the real presence of Christ, partaking in a worthy manner brings healing and unworthily does not. Amazing!

The Whole World Awaits Mary's Reply

You have heard, O Virgin, that you will conceive and bear a son; you have heard that it will not be by man but by the Holy Spirit. The angel awaits an answer; it is time for him to return to God who sent him. We too are waiting, O Lady, for your word of compassion; the sentence of condemnation weighs heavily upon us.

The price of our salvation is offered to you. We shall be set free at once if you consent. In the eternal Word of God we all came to be, and behold we die. In your brief response we are to be remade in order to be recalled to life.

Tearful Adam with his sorrowing family begs this of you, O loving Virgin, in their exile from Paradise. Abraham begs it, David begs it. All the other holy patriarchs, your ancestors, ask it of you, as they dwell in the country of the shadow of death. This is what the whole earth waits for, prostrate at your feet. It is right in doing so, for on your word depends comfort for the wretched, ransom for the captive, freedom for the condemned, indeed, salvation for all the sons of Adam, the whole of your race.

Answer quickly, O Virgin. Reply in haste to the angel, or rather through the angel of the Lord. Answer with a word, receive the Word of God. Speak your own word, conceive the divine Word. Breathe a passing word, embrace the eternal Word.

Why do you delay, why are you afraid? Believe, give praise, and receive. Let humility be bold, let modesty be confident. This is no time for virginal simplicity to forget prudence. In this matter alone, O prudent Virgin, do not fear to be presumptuous. Though modest silence is pleasing, dutiful speech is now more necessary. Open your heart to faith. O blessed Virgin, your lips to praise, your womb to the Creator. See, the desired of all nations is at your door, knocking to enter. If he should pass by because of your delay, in sorrow you would begin to seek him afresh, the One whom your soul loves. Arise, hasten, open. Arise in faith, hasten in devotion, open in praise and thanksgiving...

BEHOLD, THE HANDMAID OF THE LORD, she says, BE IT DONE TO ME ACCORDING TO YOUR WORD.

St. Bernard, abbot

Confession

As I move one step closer to full communion I made my first confession at the Advent Penance Service. It was like a second baptism, a fresh start preparing to accept my Lord in the fullness of His table. Peace has been restored. Christ has forgiven us our sins. Confession is a way we may release to guilt of our sin to a visible representation of Christ on earth, His priesthood. As I reflect on such a glorious time I realize how tied all the Sacraments are tied to one another drawing us ever closer to that perfection Jesus called us to as He said: "Be ye perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect."

As I praised and thanked God for forgiving me of my many sins it hit me just how attached we/I am to those saints who went before us. The unity of the Catholic faith is amazing. For the first time I realized that only here am I truly related to the human side of the Incarnate Christ through the succession of saints ever tied to the only family God can recognize. I pray for the return of our separated brethern and those who have wandered from the true faith that they may partake of the true bread of life. Glory be to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen and Alleluia.