Feedback. (sounding board).Q: What were you taught about the Real Presence as a child? That the Body, Blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ Jesus Christ: see Jesus. Jesus Christ 40 days after Resurrection, ascended into heaven. [N.T.: Acts 1:1–11] See : Ascension Jesus Christ kind to the poor, forgiving to the sinful. [N.T. is really, truly, positively, absolutely present at the consecration. Sister Mary David Hecker Plaucheville, La. What they thought a child could understand: an overly literal In programming, any data typed in by the programmer that remains unchanged when translated into machine language. Examples are a constant value used for calculation purposes as well as text messages displayed on screen. In the following lines of code, the literals are 1 and VALUE IS ONE. explanation that wasn't even true to the prevailing theology of the day. Name withheld Napa, Calif. That it existed only in the Eucharist. Earl C. Beck Snellville, Ga. "Transubstantiation transubstantiation: see Eucharist. transubstantiation In Christianity, the change by which the bread and wine of the Eucharist become in substance the body and blood of Jesus, though their appearance is not altered. ." Not sure I really understood it, but certainly accepted it because that's what the sisters said was real. Jackie Hooke Antioch, Calif. In Catholic school, a confused understanding, defying all physical evidence, about actually eating flesh and drinking blood. George Moscona Belen, N.M. That Jesus became present in the bread and wine, and that he was seen in the lowest and most despised de·spise tr.v. de·spised, de·spis·ing, de·spis·es 1. To regard with contempt or scorn: despised all cowards and flatterers. 2. of people in our society. Alvin Kimble New York, N. Y. That it was the Body and Blood of Christ The Blood of Christ in Christian theology refers to (a) the physical blood actually shed by Jesus Christ on the Cross, and the salvation which Christianity teaches was accomplished thereby; and (b) the Eucharistic wine used at Holy Communion Salvation Kim Eidson Escondido, Calif. That by being good, going to Confession confession, in law, the formal admission of criminal guilt, usually obtained in the course of examination by the police or prosecutor or at trial. For a confession to be admissible as evidence against an accused individual, it generally must have been procured , and fasting three hours before Mass, I made a crib of roses inside myself to welcome baby Jesus. I was told not to chew chew Chewing tobacco. See Smokeless tobacco. the host since I did not want to bite Jesus. Marcia Hutjens Green Bay, Wis. That during the consecration God came crashing down on the altar. William Seiler Fairfax, Va. Q: How has your understanding of the Real Presence changed over the years? Not at all. The foundation for my belief was laid all those years ago. Eileen M. Costea Orlando, Fla. I now understand it more as a process rather than a "zapping." Robert H. Irwin Berkeley, Calif. I still believe in the Real Presence, but I try not to confine it only to the Eucharist. Father Jose M. Leon Union City, Calif. Childhood feelings of mystery and fear have been replaced with comfort and reverence. Name withheld Weirton, W. Va. My belief and understanding has gone from head knowledge to heart knowledge. Mary Papke Woodstock, Ill. What I learned about the Real Presence has not "fleshed out" for me due to haphazard hap·haz·ard adj. Dependent upon or characterized by mere chance. See Synonyms at chance. n. Mere chance; fortuity. adv. By chance; casually. liturgies and New Age intrusions into worship. Name withheld Chicago, Ill. Christ's presence is spiritual, not physical. James C. Molsberry Palo Alto, Calif. For a time I questioned its importance. I now believe it is central to my faith. If we really understood what we were receiving, it would knock us back on our heels. Name withheld Calabash, N.C. In receiving Jesus in the Eucharist, I become, in a real sense, Jesus to all whom I meet. John M. Bina Cleveland, Ohio I still believe that Jesus is really present in the Eucharist, but explanations like transubstantiation leave me cold. Forget the 13th-century ideas. Jesus is there--period. Lucy Fuchs Brandon, Fla. Q: Where else have you found the Real Presence, other than in the bread and wine at Mass? In the people, especially those who try so hard to overcome spiritual problems. Msgr. John Doogan Shoreline, Wash. In children, music, and nature. Mary E. Melling Jackson, Mich. Nowhere. Christ is present in nature, in the parish gathered, in the poor--but not in the same sense. Norbert Oswald Melbourne, Fla. In contemplative prayer In Christian mysticism, Contemplative prayer can refer to:
Sandy Ginn Baltimore, Md. In the shunned, in the sick and dying, in prisoners on death row--in short, in my neighbor, whoever she or he may be. John and Mercedes Craughwell Topeka, Kan. Q: How can the church or parishes Catholics understand what it teaches about the Real Presence? Have eucharistic ministers The title Eucharistic Minister is a term that is given to the laity who have been authorized by Church Clergy to administer and distribute the 'True Presence of Jesus Christ', i.e. who dress and act with dignity, respect, and solemnity SOLEMNITY. The formality established by law to render a contract, agreement, or other act valid. 2. A marriage, for example, would not be valid if made in jest, and without solemnity. Vide Marriage, and Dig. 4, 1, 7; Id. 45, 1, 30. . Ray D'Angelo Columbus, Ohio Renew practices like eucharistic devotion, benediction benediction [Lat.,=blessing], solemn blessing usually administered in the name of God by a priest or a minister. The temple worship at Jerusalem had fixed forms of benedictions, and Christians have always given them an important place in ceremony, especially at the , and adoration adoration, n a prayer of worship and praise. . Name withheld South Bend, Ind. Point out the Real Presence in folks we know. Jolenta Masterson Sequim, Wash. Avoid outdated out·dat·ed adj. Out-of-date; old-fashioned. outdated Adjective old-fashioned or obsolete Adj. 1. theological language and find experiential ex·pe·ri·en·tial adj. Relating to or derived from experience. ex·pe  ri·en ways of
talking about it instead.
Father Mike Boutin Stoughton, Mass. Use bread with texture and flavor. Use wine with depth and character. Engage the imagination through the senses. P.J. Kampf Cleveland, Ohio Please do not "adore a·dore v. a·dored, a·dor·ing, a·dores v.tr. 1. To worship as God or a god. 2. To regard with deep, often rapturous love. See Synonyms at revere1. 3. " the host without proper explanation, prayer, and guidance about the strength and grace that one receives from living Eucharist. Sarita Penka Omaha, Neb. Disciplined catechesis cat·e·che·sis n. pl. cat·e·che·ses Oral instruction given to catechumens. [Late Latin cat is the only way. We have to make people learn--that's what worked for us. Ted Rosean Wilmette, Ill. General Comments To help my students understand the Real Presence in the Eucharist, I use the "plug analogy": receiving Eucharist is like plugging into the power that created the universe. Imagine what that power can do in and through them if they are open to it. Mary Sue Babb Santa Cruz, Calif. Our goal should be not just to receive the Body and Blood of Christ, but also to become his Body and Blood for our world. Father James Tiegs Omaha, Neb. There's an assumption that real means physical. The spiritual is just as real. Teaching this might help resolve people's doubts. Ann Freiburg, O.S.F. Lombard, Ill. If there's a falling off of belief in the Real Presence, it will not be halted by putting up railings, making tabernacles bigger and more centrally located, and making vigil vigil (vĭj`əl) [Lat.,=watch], in Christian calendars, eve of a feast, a day of penitential preparation. In ancient times worshipers gathered for vespers before a great feast and then waited outside the church until dawn for the liturgy (Mass). lights more prominent. Heavy-handed measures won't make people believe more in the Real Presence. Barbara H. Brown Louisville, Ky. We need to learn that it's not about Jesus being present, but us being really present in the world that makes a difference. Richard Szafranski Saginaw, Mich. RELATED ARTICLE: And the survey says ...
1. I believe that ...
86% The bread and wine
in Mass actually
become the Body
and Blood of Christ.
2% The bread and wine
are symbols, but
Jesus is not really
present
12% Other.
2. To me, the term Real
Presence also refers to
Christ's presence in ...
76% The congregation
gathered at Mass.
75% The Word of God
proclaimed at Mass.
65% Our neighbors,
especially the poor
and suffering.
64% The presiding priest
at Mass.
21% Only in the
eucharistic
bread and wine.
14% Other.
3. My own experience supports
the surveys that say there's
a crisis about lack of belief
in the Real Presence.
agree 47%
disagree 33%
other 20%
4. The main reason people do
not believe in the Real
Presence is ...
66% Lack or poor quality
religious education
programs.
34% Other.
14% The informal tone of
the liturgy.
14% The elimination of
requirements like
fasting or Confession.
11% Emphasis on community
meal over sacrifice.
5. The church needs to put more
emphasis on reaffirming the
presence of Christ in the
Eucharist.
agree 67%
disagree 15%
other 18%
6. How significant is the Real
Presence to you in living out
your faith?
76% Extremely significant
14% Moderately significant
4% Somewhat significant
4% Not significant at all
2% Other
These results are based on survey responses from 347 U.S. CATHOLIC readers and Web site visitors. Join the conversation--online. All are invited to respond to U.S. CATHOLIC'S monthly Sounding Board survey at www.uscatho/ic.org. This month, join U.S. CATHOLIC readers as they discuss whether spending time "Spending Time" is the first single released by Christian artist Stellar Kart. The lyrics describe the band members desire to spend "more time with God". "Sometimes it’s a real struggle to spend time with God. with the poor should be considered a spiritual discipline. |
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