Catholics believe that the bread and wine (i.e., the Eucharist) literally (not symbolically) becomes the body and blood of Christ during the consecration that occurs each and every time holy Mass is celebrated. The scriptural basis for this is sometimes referred to as the "Bread of Life Discourse" and can be found in John 6:41-71. I was listening to my Catholic Answers podcast on my drive into work a few days ago and the guest was Michael John Michael Poirier. (Poirier Podcast) He said something that I never thought of before and helped me better understand what it means to be "properly disposed to receive."
Poirier said that "we are living, breathing tabernacles" when we receive. A tabernacle is the sacred place in a church where the consecrated hosts reside. Catholics always bow or genuflect before the tabernacle because Christ in the Eucharist resides there. So Poirier's statement made me think differently about what it means to receive the Eucharist. If I am a living, breathing tabernacle, that means that I too am a sacred place where Christ resides, or at least I should be. How awesome a concept that I would receive and then be the receptacle of the king of the universe. That is a concept that is difficult to truly and fully grasp. How can a fallen, sinful and unworthy creature, be capable of appearing before, much less communing with, the Creator? At a minimum, it seems logical and right to be humble, contrite, awestruck and full of gratitude at such a time. Sometimes, I am afraid that I lack those attributes and just go through the motions. God willing, may it not be so the next time.
Just the thought of it can be overwhelming, huh? But a little "overwhelming" is good for us from time to time. Certainly a close familial relationship with God is essential...I think that He presents Himself as father to us in part because it makes Him more approachable. (The fundamental difference between the Muslim concept of God and the Judeo/Christian concept revolves around that idea.) At the same time, the Mass remind us of that awesome power of the Creator. And here He is, presented to us in sacramental form. Every day.
ReplyDeleteWow.
Gives new meaning to that phrase, "Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed."
One other thought...the idea that we are, in that sense, living tabernacles of the glorified body of Christ...how fitting is the Immaculate Conception for our Blessed Mother?
It just makes sense when you think about it. Plain logic dictates that the mother of Jesus would be sinless from the moment of her conception.
ReplyDeleteIt's not a logical requirement, strictly speaking, since God could have done otherwise. But it certainly is fitting, is supported by other aspects of revelation, and underpins a high Christology, which is the most important thing. As always, everything that we believe about her points us to Him. Her last recorded words in Scripture? "Do whatever He tells you." (John 2:5)
ReplyDeleteEarly father noticed this too. They were using the "Ark of the New Covenant" idea centuries before the formal dogmatic definition.
Good day for a rosary, perhaps....
Well said.
ReplyDeleteI think that we take the mass too lightly. The power of what happens far surpasses our imagination. This is one of the reasons I support a true form of the Novus Ordo where most of the consecration is in latin. Makes the mass more serious.
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