"Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread come down from heaven, that a man may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if anyone eats of this bread he will live forever, and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh." (Jn 6:49-51)Well, Querci, some would say that this flesh of Jesus is the Eucharist. Yet we Catholics eat the Eucharist, i.e., the body and blood of Christ and we still die too! Huh? So, isn't it just like the manna, sustaining us in the wilderness until we get to heaven?
I want to eat what Enoch and Elijah ate. Whatever IT was, they didn't die, but were taken up to heaven. Was it this "flesh" of Jesus? How'd they get that?
Maybe it could have something to do with what Jesus says just prior to the above statement,
Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. (Jn 6:47)and then later,
It is the Spirit that gives life, the flesh is of no avail; the words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life. (Jn 6:63)
It looks like we need to not just do an action, but also have the correct belief (faith) and understanding of the Spiritual meaning behind the term "flesh". Then when we eat this flesh it will truly have the power of life. Then we will eat it and live forever.
Hey, I think I'll try it and see what happens!
Ember
Really Ember! This time you've gone too far! Where to start?! Are you seriously calling the Eucharist an idol? Jesus said, "This is my body!" And I MUST be misunderstanding. You can't be saying that you think you can be assumed into heaven like Enoch, Elijah, and Mary...that just makes me laugh.
ReplyDeleteI know, who has heard of such a thing? Why would I be so bold? I don't know. I'm just saying that I think it is possible. The reasons for it actually happening or not, that's up to God. But, yes, laugh, I think it is possible. We are supposed to be like children, aren't we? I think I could get children to believe it with me.
ReplyDeleteAnd, no, I'm not calling the Eucharist an idol, I'm just saying anyone can treat it like one and make it look like one. What is a idol? It is a god that has no power. If you are not changed by the Eucharist I think it certainly looks like an idol.
"For as it is written, 'The name of God is blasphemed amoung the Gentiles because of you.'" (Rom 2:24)
So here’s what I’m going to do. When the priest says, “This is Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are we who are called to hid supper.” And we say, “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.” I’m going to receive communion thinking that it really has the power to take away my sin. Yeah, I’m not worthy, but God has the power to do anything. And it is by God’s grace that we are made to be perfect, not because of our worthiness. I expect that I won’t be sinning anymore after this, so watch out! I don’t expect any half-assed miracles from my God. Jesus died for my sins to remove them and to make me worthy, and for this he gave me his flesh to eat. That’s what I call setting the world on fire!
“I came to cast fire upon the earth; and would that it were already kindled!” (Jn 12:49)
I think the way we generally treat the Eucharist, i.e., the real presence of Christ, not producing much change in us, was appropriate for maybe two, three days maximum after his death. Now it is time for Christ to be risen in our hearts.
ReplyDelete"For we share in Christ, if only we hold firm to the end, while it is said, 'Today, when you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.'" (Heb 3:14-15)
"They are a people who err in heart, and they do not regard my ways." (Ps 95:10)