THE EUCHARIST - “THE SACRAMENT OF UNITY" - A FAMILY REUNION
“Real Catholicism is reaching into the prickers to get the Rose.” - Rob Guinan
Have you recently lost a loved one? Do you wonder if you will see them again? Will you one day in heaven be 'together' again? Are you still connected with them in some way? You need real answers. These questions deserve serious consideration, not trivializations, or arguments that don't hold a drop of water. Idle hopes and wishing offer no real medicinal value.
Seated at the right hand of the Father and pouring out the Holy Spirit on his Body which is the Church, Christ now acts through the sacraments he instituted to communicate his graces. Setting aside any gnostic eloquence, we do more than imagine and hope. We are specially invited to "touch and see". St. Alphonsus De Ligouri once said, "Oh what torrents of grace have the saints drawn from this fountain of the Most Blessed Sacrament." With "humble and contrite hearts" (Ps. 51:17), we "confess our sins one to another "(James 5:16), in order that we may truly become "distinguished vessels" (2 Timothy 2:20-21), as we "take up our cross daily" (Luke 9:23, Catechism 1366). The Sacrament of Penance, Catechism 1455, can be quite fortifying.
In this booklet, really only this layman’s reflections, you'll read reasons why The Most Holy Eucharist not only is true, but why this Truth has-to-be true. This essay includes verses from Scripture, quotes from popes, ancient texts, teachings from the saints, and the everyday ponderings, worries and concerns we all share. As a writer who has had articles in major periodicals, covering finance, film, and has written for major advertisers, I have shared these great truths of our faith as I've had access to some great theologians. However, this is just an introduction. Great authors of the day are recommended in the Author's Notes.
"Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf." (1 Cor. 10:17) "So, we who are many, are one body in Christ." (Romans 12:5) "All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer.." (Acts 1:14) In these times it is hard to come upon a unifying truth.
Pope Benedict once said "With the Eucharist...heaven comes down to earth, the 'tomorrow of God' descends into the present and it is as if time remains embraced by 'divine eternity'." In other words there is a tomorrow -- after tomorrow! And that's good news! This treatment should give you some hope that you'll one day be with your loved ones once again. Remaining faithful to the Sacrament of Confession is also critical.
THROUGHOUT BIBLICAL HISTORY EVERY COVENANT IS RATIFIED IN BLOOD.
“And He took the Chalice, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying “Drink of it, all of you; for this is My Blood of the Covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:27b) The external victimization happened on Good Friday, but the Offering already took place at the Institution of the Eucharist at The Last Supper.
Some claim that ‘Transubstantiation’ (as it is referred) wasn’t ‘invented’ until the 12th or 13th century. That’s true, the “word” may not have existed, but 'Transubstantiation' actually took place at the Last Supper. St. Frances DeSales “Do they wish to take away these words found in St. Luke’s account (cf. 22:20) ‘which shall be SHED for you’ because the Greek text clearly shows that what was in the Chalice was not wine, but the true blood of Our Lord?” After all no one “sheds” grapes!