Do You "Eat and Run?" Thoughts on the Holy Eucharist

As some of you know, I was recently released on Easter Sunday to begin receiving the Holy Eucharist again. You can read about this memorable day here if you're not familiar with my story. (My husband's previous marriage needed to be annulled before it could be convalidated by a priest and our marriage then recognized by the Roman Catholic church.)

I knew that during my period of waiting for the Declaration of Nullity to be completed, I was being given a "gift of time." The Lord wanted me to thoroughly examine my relationship to the Holy Eucharist, knowing my doubts which were shaped by years of "anti-Catholic" beliefs. I always cherished "The Lord's Supper," or "taking Communion." But even as a young girl, I had a difficult time with the concept of transubstantiation.

However, during the years away from the Catholic church, I would always notice if a new church I was visiting practiced celebrating Communion or not. I was bothered by the fact that so many non-denominational churches did not honor Jesus' words to His disciples when speaking of the bread and wine becoming His Body and Blood, and that we were to do it to remember Him. How could any church miss something so simple and straightforward as celebrating Communion?

I knew of very few churches that believed it was truly Jesus' Body and Blood. There is such sacredness to this act, but if a church celebrated Communion, it was treated as symbolic, nothing more. I again share the revelation I had on Easter Sunday - that if indeed the Holy Eucharist is the true Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, then it is no wonder there is such a spiritual battle to deny this truth. Of course the devil doesn't want people believing it. Because when you do, powerful things in the Kingdom of God happen. The devil certainly doesn't want a bunch of Christians walking around, spiritually aware of the incredible transaction that just took place during Mass.

So, as you can see, my mind and heart has still been pondering the ramifications of the Holy Eucharist. And, sadly, its abuse.

When I was a little girl, my parents would never have dreamt of walking out to the parking lot after receiving the Holy Eucharist. I now cannot express enough my deep gratitude for this practice. I would watch other people receive the Holy Eucharist, and then instead of walking back to their pew, keep on walking toward the back of the church. I turned to watch them walk right out the door into the parking lot. At the time, I thought they were rude, but that was the extent of it. Now I'm afraid that those who do this are lacking in their understanding of what just transpired.

Is our life so hectic and stressed for time that we cannot take a few more minutes to ponder our Lord Jesus Christ's sufferings and the rewards His Father bestowed upon Him? After we receive the Holy Eucharist, we are given the opportunity to kneel in silence and... ponder. Meditate. To absorb what just happened and that we have the Living Bread of Life within us.

Recently, I found one of the most beautiful prayers I have read on the Internet. It is Padre Pio's prayer after receiving the Holy Eucharist. You can read the prayer here. In fact, I loved it so much that copied and printed it onto an 8 1/2 x 11 piece of paper and took it with me to Mass on the Second Sunday of Easter. After I received the Holy Eucharist, I prayed that prayer. I think this prayer would benefit everyone and I may just make copies of it and pass them around to those interested. (Although I'd like to have it in the size of a prayer card for easier transportation.)

When people receive Holy Communion and then head to the parking lot, they are robbing their spirit of the opportunity to meditate upon the relationship Jesus Christ has with them. Jesus said when we took bread and wine, we were to remember Him. I can't imagine there is much room in a person's mind to truly obey this directive when one walks out the door, focusing on the "what's next" in their day.

I don't mean to sound harsh with these words. But we're heading toward difficult days and we need the treasures of these reflections more than ever. We need to be nourished by our Lord Jesus Christ and the spiritual strength that His Body and Blood imparts. I just may be spending a few extra moments after Mass has ended to continue absorbing this magnificent gift.

For those who may be in the place where I used to be a year ago, I suggest studying the Gospel of St. John, chapter six. Think about what Jesus is saying to His followers and how many He lost when they couldn't believe what He was saying. Would Jesus give such importance to the celebration of taking Holy Communion of it was "just" bread and wine? Would He have made such a drastic statement about there being "no life in us" unless we received the Holy Eucharist for what He said it was: His flesh and blood?

So Jesus said to them, "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. For 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 for ever." This he said in the synagogue, as he taught at Caper'na-um. Many of his disciples, when they heard it, said, "This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?"
St. John 6:53-60

Hard words, indeed.

The P.Z. Myers Mess and A Call For Intellectual Honesty

I've been aware of the outrageous attacks lately on the Eucharist. I first became aware of this when I heard of the young college student who thought it would be fun to spit out the communion wafer to show a friend and then leave the church without consuming it. If that wasn't bad enough, a Minnesota college professor decided to up the ante by bragging that he would show some real desecration of the Eucharist on his blog. He did.

When I heard of these developments, I was both saddened and angry. Saddened that someone who doesn't ascribe to Christianity would have to jump through so many hoops in order to show their revilement - and angry they can't abide by their own logic and just ignore something they don't agree with.

What is it they tell Christians? "If you don't like it, change the channel." If we don't like something, we're expected to look the other way, avoid frequenting whichever film may offend, or generally divert our attention from anything culturally rude or insensitive.

So why is it they can't leave Catholicism alone? So what if a bunch of people believe the Eucharist is the Body of Jesus Christ? Why can't they just shrug and go about their business? Oh, how I would love for an intellectually honest atheist to answer that last one.

But that's the point. People like Professor Myers cannot be intellectually honest nor fair when it comes to their own hatred. Christians are not surprised when the world shows its contempt for their faith. However, what is surprising is how passionately loyal such opponents are to their own ideal of freedom but yet will exhibit such hypocrisy when faced with something they don't agree with; which usually is anything having to do with moral absolutism.

I deliberated whether I wanted to get involved with this fiasco or just let it pass. I decided to throw my hat in the ring. Below is a copy of the email I sent to University of Minnesota Morris' Chancellor Jacqueline Johnson. I also copied UM President Robert Bruininks. I don't expect a response. They've obviously washed their hands of any responsibility. But I have reached my limit with the double-standard promoted by universities.

My email:

*****

August 2, 2008

Dear Chancellor Johnson,

I have no idea if you will read this but knew I needed to write regarding the latest action by Professor Myers. My frustration stems not only from the standpoint of someone who holds certain tenets of faith dear, but as someone who considers herself intellectually honest – and it is this honesty that hangs in the balance for both the University of Minnesota Morris, and every self-respecting higher institution of education.

Professor Myers’ decision to “desecrate” a communion wafer was only the end result of his virulent hatred of anyone who believes in a Higher Power other than self. He is on a mission. The argument that since this occurred on his blog and thus, exempt from any university reprimand - is weak.

It is intellectually dishonest and I will tell you why. The internet has become both the medium and the message. Anyone who is taking a paycheck from a company realizes the strings may be long or short – but still they are attached to those who boldly proclaim their opinion. Yes, people have been fired from their jobs before for inappropriate content on a blog.

Is it censorship, which higher education rightly abhors? It depends. But more importantly, when do you think the line has been crossed between verbal abuse and physical abuse?

Abusive language is something most thinking individuals try to curtail. Most Americans are more aware than ever of “offensive language.” Those who call themselves progressive will go to the mat for the weaker individuals in society and are angry when they see someone belittled or bullied.

How is it this situation is any different?

You have what to many, is simply a piece of bread. But to many Catholics, they hold this sacred. Why is it acceptable to abuse them? Why is it acceptable to shift the conversation from a cerebral argument to a physical assault? Would this be acceptable if it were done to a woman, or any other religion or group?

I can tell you this. Muslims made a racket over cartoons of Muhammad, even to the point of issuing fatwas. Catholics don’t have fatwas. But they do have money. However, as tempting as it is to focus on the possibility of Catholics withholding funds from your university over this appalling incident, I’ll refrain. Instead, think of the type of environment this is now creating in the classrooms.

Professor Myers is very vocal about becoming more hateful and argumentative. You’ve already seen the extent to which he will go in order to make his point. How comfortable is a student now to attend his class, knowing his extreme prejudice? Can he in all honesty disengage himself from his own brand of hate and evaluate fairly a student of faith? Especially when he is more than willing to show such hostility and abuse publicly?

From his blog regarding the ongoing debate of Intelligent Design, which ironically, calls for his own brand of censorship:

The only appropriate response should involve some form of righteous fury, much butt-kicking, and the public firing of some teachers, many school board members, and vast numbers of sleazy, far-right politicians … I say, screw the polite words and careful rhetoric. It’s time for scientists to break out the steel-toed boots and brass knuckles, and get out there and hammer on the lunatics and idiots.

P.Z. Myers, Pharyngula, Get meaner, angrier, louder, fiercer, March 1, 2007

Your call, Chancellor. I’m all for spirited discourse but Professor Myers wants to relegate it to a blood-sport. Although he wears antagonism as a badge of honor, he wields an unfair advantage. It’s not just a case of an atheist guy swigging a few beers with his pals, ranting about the idiocy of faith. He is a teacher who holds the power to either pass or fail a student. (Not to mention his influence with the department.)

With all of the programs and advocacy groups working to end hatred and abuse in our society, do you truly want your university to continue to be a part of the problem? Or the solution? If firing seems too drastic, at least make a more public denunciation of such behavior. Otherwise, UMM is just one more institution eroding civil discourse in our society - until no civility will be left.

What I Love About Catholicism: Spiritual Alignment

I have mentioned that the Catholic church has what I call, backbone. Maybe it's because I woke up this morning with a backache, most likely due to twisting it during the night. But I was reminded of a few thoughts I had last week which had to do with how Catholicism focuses on what is basic and of utmost importance.

Our backbones, when aligned properly, allows the rest of our body to function properly. What especially is affected is our walk, our movement - progression from one point to the next.

When someone's backbone is deteriorated, as is the case with a good family friend, then you can forget about walking long distances. I also have a cousin who has a rare degenerative bone disease. She is confined to a wheelchair and can only stand for a very short period of time.

When you have a strong backbone, you can accomplish many great feats. I am in constant amazement of what the human body is capable of doing each time I watch the Olympics. A high diver leaps into the air, rotating hips and torso, bending and reaching with precision until finally executing a perfect flip, entering the water with barely a splash.

Or watch gymnastics, speed skating, pole vaulting, or basketball. Watch any sport and you'll see how amazing the body can twist, bend, and contort. Under the disciplined efforts of the owner, it achieves great success.

The Catholic church's backbone is the Eucharist. It is the source and summit of the life and the mission of the church. (If you've not read the results of the 2004 General Assembly of the Bishops on the topic of the Eucharist, you're in for a treat.) From the preface of the General Secretary:

Today, the Church is undeniably experiencing a certain “Eucharistic need” based not on an incertitude regarding the presentation of doctrine—as occurred in the period of the Second Vatican Council—but on a Eucharistic practice which calls for a renewed attitude of love that is expressed in acts of faith in the One who is present for those continuing to search for him in our world: “Master, where do you live?”.

Whomp! There it is! Three cheers for Pope John Paul II. He knew where the focus should be and it wasn't on whether to include brass instruments in worship. We needed to be reminded (always, in my mind) that the focus of the Mass is the Eucharist.

When the backbone is aligned, everything else falls in place.

One of my recent "light bulb" moments came when I remembered how it worked with my non-denominational church. The focus wasn't on Communion because rarely was Communion celebrated. Instead, the focus was on the preaching and having a kickin' worship team. Now I love music, and having a great worship team is fine and dandy - but if the focus is on the team, the church service is out of alignment.

What often happened was that the preaching and the worship competed against each other. The worship team would have many occasions where they felt "led by the Lord" to keep playing well past the allotted time for worship. The preacher would then try to "go with the flow" but itched to do what he felt called to do. Sometimes I witnessed the preacher getting on the platform with the worship team to start singing along; which I thought was presumptuous and seemed to validate the preacher's need to be noticed.

Occasionally, the preacher would cut the worship time, causing slight rifts in the worship team. Either way, there was a constant tension between the two.

This tension does not exist within the Mass. Yes, there may be priests who think people are attending to hear a glorious homily but I bet they're in the minority. Priests, from all their training, know the pinnacle of the Mass is when he offers up the Body and Blood of our Savior, Jesus Christ. It is when we remember who He is and what He has done for us. When we focus on the Ultimate Sacrifice of both Father and Son, we understand more deeply our Father's desire to reach the world with His amazing love.

Get that, and you'll be spiritually aligned. And if the universal Catholic church gets that, it will be able to walk for miles and miles, and not be weary.