Really Present

As the priest, known for his dynamic and inspiring sermons, proceeded towards the pulpit to begin his homily during Mass, the congregation began to stir in anticipation. While staring intently at his audience, the priest began by asking two questions. “Do you believe in a loving, caring, and truthful God”? Being at a Catholic Mass, of course all the participants nodded yes in agreement. When the priest asked for a show of hands, all raised their hands in additional agreement. Then he asked the second question, “Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God; meaning Jesus is truly God completely and totally.”? Again, all in the church nodded in agreement and raised their hands. Challenging them, he asked, “Then why do many of you doubt that Jesus is truly present, body and blood, in the Eucharist.”?

“Let me remind you what Jesus claimed as quoted in John’s Gospel, “My flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats me will live because of me. This is the bread which came down from heaven, not such as the fathers ate and died; he who eats this bread will live forever.”  Jesus declared this truth shortly after turning bread and fish into a feast for over 5,000 people. They had witnessed an inspiring miracle!

Many of His disciples began to murmur against Jesus because of this doctrine of eating His flesh and drinking his blood. If Jesus meant this proclamation to be a metaphor, He could have told the crowd that He did not intend this statement to be taken literally, but He did not. Later He forcefully reemphasized this proclamation when he said, ““Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you; he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. My flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats me will live because of me.”

The priest continued, ”All of you are familiar with Jesus’ declarations at the Last Supper regarding bread and wine becoming His flesh and blood, commanding His apostles to “do this in memory of me.”.”

“Recall that a few minutes ago we all confirmed that God is all truthful, Loving, and caring. Jesus is God, Trust in Jesus! Do Not doubt but believe and act on His direction to eat His flesh and drink His blood, in the Eucharist. The Eucharist is not just a meal or a symbol; it is truly the body and blood of Jesus!”

RIGHT OR PRIVILEGE

The manager of the sports facility had just emerged from his office when he heard the profanity laced shouts emerging from the basketball court, located on the other side of the building. Quickly making his way to the scene, he noticed one of the athletes cursing another one; the situation appeared to be completely out of control. The manager shouted forcefully, “John, stop right now!” Responding to the manager’s command, all the athletes on the basketball court stopped their activity and waited for the manager’s next command. Purposely and with firm conviction, he announced, “John, you are out of here right now.” John countered by noting that he has a right to play on the court as he has paid his dues. With anger in his eyes, the manager barked that John’s right had been forfeited since he broke the rules against using profanity.  “Leave now and you may only suffer a month’s long suspension, which will be lifted if you agree to honor all rules, particularly those concerning profanity.” Grudgingly John accepted that he had indeed violated the agreed upon rules of conducts, knowing that the manager was not someone to trifle with; he left the facility.

The subject of a right or a privilege has frequently surfaced within the Catholic community. In the last few years there has been considerable amount of discussion and disagreement regarding who should be able to receive the Eucharist (Holy Communion). Essentially the debate centers on whether the reception of Holy Communion is a right or a privilege for Roman Catholics. Some argue that it is a right and others argue that it is a privilege. In fact, it may be a right or a privilege depending on the circumstances of the individual.

Individuals who have been instructed in the doctrines of the Catholic faith and have been officially accepted into the faith and have lived in accordance of those doctrines, meaning that they are without serious (mortal) sin seem to have the right to receive the Eucharist. In other words, they are Catholics in “good standing” within the Church. However, those Catholics who have committed serious sin and or who have rejected important doctrines of the church have forfeited the right to receive Holy Communion and should refrain from “taking the Host”, as they are no longer in communion with the church. The privilege and right of receiving the Eucharist have been withdrawn, until they seek forgiveness for their sin. Once they confess their sin, the right to receive the Eucharist is restored.

Similar to the athlete whose outburst of profanity removed his privilege of playing in the athletic facility so also a Catholic loses his right and privilege to receive the Eucharist when he commits serious sin and rejects fundamental teaching of the church on faith and morals.