More about the Holy Eucharist controversy

While the talk about whether a politician who has public stance against Church teaching should or should not be allowed to receive Holy Eucharist is settling down in the "drive by media," I know it is still on many people's minds. While I'm not speaking for any individual bishop or priest, I want to give those of you who are quietly pondering this subject another angle to think about it in a grace filled and charitable way.

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As you know, the grace of the Holy Spirit, God, and the Savior Jesus Christ can find some good and holiness in even the most dire situation. In Jesus Christ all things are made anew, and as Jesus himself said, when asked who can be saved, "For God all things are possible."

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I believe that the Holy Father, the Cardinals, the bishops and the priests tend toward a laxity in allowing public officials with the stances mentioned above to receive, if they are doing so reverently, even when they are unworthy, because they know the power of the Real Presence to change hearts. I firmly believe (and know for a fact) that some who have received unworthily in the past have experienced conversion in the stances that they previously held. This is what I have been watching and waiting for, for many years now, and while I preach charity and hold my tongue on this subject.

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Further, priests and bishops may be aware of a private conversion of heart that is still ongoing and in the process with certain individuals, and of course they appropriately hold their tongues too.

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Dear friends, the power of the Real Presence, and the Holy Spirit, cannot be underestimated. If one is going to err in one direction or the other, do consider that leaving room for the Spirit to work in an individual's heart is the wiser alternative. Even people who receive with kind of a mechanistic attitude toward it (and even the devout fall into that, being only human) are still open to its grace full transformative effect, slowly and subtly over time.

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Sometimes when momentous change is hoped for and prayed for, silence is the most appropriate rather than strident and self righteous advocacy. Those who speak should be those who have fullness of understanding of their own diocese or parish, such as Archbishop Burke. He is correct in stating his clarity of policy regarding how he ministers to his flock. This is part of proper formation of those who listen to him, for he is teaching the truth of the matter. But that does not mean that a different bishop is necessarily being weak or lax. It is a mistake to jump to that conclusion.

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I am not inclined to be harsh toward those who, on the face of it, received unworthily during the Holy Father's visit. I continue to pray that the many people, both public and private, who receive unworthily are experiencing the grace of full conversion and reversion through the power of the Real Presence.

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I hope that you find this a helpful and enlightening perspective. I continue to advocate to the Holy Spirit for the fullness of harmony and conversion of heart of all the faithful.

Catholic Mass as a time machine

Many sci-fi and fantasy fans enjoy stories about "time travelers" and some scientists try to research the principles behind such theoretical feats. What many people do not realize is that the Catholic Mass is an example of true "time travel."

Many Christians wish they could have "been there with Jesus," to know him and to talk to him when he lived and walked the earth. Jesus, as one of his last gifts, GAVE people the ability to do just that, generation after generation. Jesus gave the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist (also called Communion), celebrated during the Catholic Mass, so that people throughout the generations can literally and physically be present with him during his Last Supper, and join with him in giving sacrifice to God. When a person attends a Catholic Mass, he is literally taken back in time to be with Jesus during the Last Supper. Jesus explains this very clearly when he instructed the Apostles to "do this in memory of me."

What a strange choice of words for someone who had not "gone" anywhere! He is right there with them, yet tells them to perform the breaking of bread and sharing of wine "in memory" of him. Jesus is explaining that the Apostles are to continue to have a gathering of the Last Supper, and that he, Jesus, will be physically there with them, just as he is at that moment. This is what is meant by the Real Presence. Jesus is truly present in the Holy Eucharist.

I think people need to be reminded what a treasure and marvel that this is. When they ask, "Do we HAVE to go to Mass every week? *sigh*" my reply would be to explain, "Yes, for two reasons. One is that Jesus affirmed the validity of the Ten Commandments and one is that you shall keep the Lord's day holy. People used to keep the entire day holy. Now with shopping, TV, chores, work on Sunday and other activities, you should be glad to God that Mass fulfills the 'keeping the Sabbath holy' without taking the entire day. And second, do you not want to do what so many say they wish to do, which is to be with Jesus, know Jesus, and be physically in his presence and for him to literally be present in turn? Then why do not people run to Mass? It should be one of people's greatest desires, not a 'burden.'"

I hope this helps shed some light on the literal presence of Jesus Christ in the midst of everyone who takes the time to attend to him.