holly.o Posted December 25, 2010 Share Posted December 25, 2010 A thought that popped into my head that I thought might be worth sharing. The Scriptures tell us that this is how we know love: [quote]In this is charity: not as though we had loved God, but because he hath first loved us, and sent his Son to be a propitiation for our sins. ~ I John ch. 4[/quote] One of the surest ways to fall in love with someone is to be loved by that person first, to be wooed by an admirer. And many Saints tell us love is repaid by love alone. As Catholics, we know the depth of God's love for us in the Eucharist - that He gives us His very Body, Blood, Soul, & Divinity in a foolishly (to the world) humble and simple way. When we really meditate on this and when the very mystery of this reaches us at our depths, the response to that utter self-gift of Jesus is to give ourselves back in return, in the greatest way we can. The way we give ourselves to God is different for everyone, but the extent that we are motivated to give ourselves springs from the awareness of His deep love and gift of Himself. Before I converted, I did, at times, know Jesus loved me. But when I learned of the Eucharist, the reality of that love - how deeply I knew He loves me - increased. To die on the cross was huge, and I know that our separated Christian brothers and sisters do see this as Jesus giving Himself for us. But what a difference in knowing that Jesus also [i]gives Himself to us[/i] in the Eucharist at every Mass! There is a major difference here that I just realized after Christmas Mass today, and that I don't know if I can put into words right now. And I thought of how sad it is that Protestants don't have this understanding of God's self-emptying, sacrificial love in the Eucharist. When you know that Your Lord is coming to You under the appearance of bread and wine, doing something outrageous for Him - Mother Teresa comes to mind, but there are so many canonized and everyday Saints I could reference - is really only what makes sense. I'm not saying those who don't believe in the Eucharist will never accomplish great things out of love for God (and by great I mean this in the sense of St. Therese's little way)... but it is so much easier to be moved to love when you know your Lover's Heart, and that that Heart has done something beyond human imagination to win your love. Also, one of the saddest things is someone who doesn't know that they are loved, or someone who thinks that love stops at a certain point. Please pray that all Christians will live in unity, centered on the belief of Christ in the Eucharist, and that all of us who are blessed with the faith to already know Our Eucharistic Lord, that the reception of His love and our love for Him will change ourselves and the world. Merry Christmas! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinytherese Posted December 27, 2010 Share Posted December 27, 2010 That reminds me of the book, "I'm Not Being Fed" by Jeff Cavins, which tells how he came back to Catholicism after being a Methodist minister and how if he had been properly catechized about the eucharist, he wouldn't have left the Church. There's also this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-4H9hXGVk0 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holly.o Posted December 27, 2010 Author Share Posted December 27, 2010 Great video! I've heard that song before but never thought about it that way. And it gets across the point that when Jesus said He will always be with us, He really meant it! Bad catechesis has definitely resulted in misunderstandings and disbelief about the Real Presence in the Eucharist. One of the saddest lines in the Gospels is when Jesus asks His disciples if they will leave, too, after He reveals this mystery. But then the faith of the disciples must've comforted His Heart so much... When I hear stories about Catholics leaving the Faith to become a Protestant or anything else, I wonder if they ever experienced that reality of God's love for them in Holy Communion - because how could you walk away after knowing that? But then again, Satan must attack many people with doubts in this area since it is the wellspring of our life of grace, the fount of mercy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeresaBenedicta Posted December 27, 2010 Share Posted December 27, 2010 "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you..." John 15:9 "This is my commandment: love one another as I love you..." John 15:12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah147 Posted December 27, 2010 Share Posted December 27, 2010 (edited) [img]http://www.morethings.com/god_and_country/jesus/children-jesus-170.gif[/img] Edited December 27, 2010 by JoyfulLife Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiquitunga Posted December 31, 2010 Share Posted December 31, 2010 (edited) Wow, what a deep and beautiful reflection, holly.o .. thank you for sharing! It is soo true .. How indescribably amazing is the Eucharist!! Would that everyone would know Him! Ah, this reminds me of a video that was posted in VS once .. of Danielle Rose's explanation of her song [i]See You in the Eucharist[/i] .. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkODeoNrBiI[/media] Edited December 31, 2010 by Chiquitunga Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holly.o Posted January 3, 2011 Author Share Posted January 3, 2011 [quote name='Chiquitunga' timestamp='1293780051' post='2195426'] Wow, what a deep and beautiful reflection, holly.o .. thank you for sharing! [/quote] Thank you and you're welcome I haven't gotten a chance to watch the video you posted yet, but I'm looking forward to it. After going to Mass, today, I have to say that I'm so thankful for priests who obviously love Our Eucharistic Lord. Just one priest who has a strong devotion to and reverence for the Eucharist will bring so many souls to Christ. By having reverent Masses, making times of Adoration available, encouraging respect for the Blessed Sacrament, a priest can help convert so many hearts that wouldn't be touched by the most eloquent sermon. So remember to pray not just for more priests, but for priests who are devoted to the Eucharist and are not afraid to share that truth and love! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah147 Posted January 3, 2011 Share Posted January 3, 2011 [quote name='holly.o' timestamp='1294013567' post='2196008'] After going to Mass, today, I have to say that I'm so thankful for priests who obviously love Our Eucharistic Lord. Just one priest who has a strong devotion to and reverence for the Eucharist will bring so many souls to Christ. By having reverent Masses, making times of Adoration available, encouraging respect for the Blessed Sacrament, a priest can help convert so many hearts that wouldn't be touched by the most eloquent sermon. So remember to pray not just for more priests, but for priests who are devoted to the Eucharist and are not afraid to share that truth and love! [/quote] AMEN AMEN AMEN! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eustace scrubb Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 A lot of people leave because of a lack of love in the Church and the increased fellowship in Protestantism. I mean, let's face it, we tend to live rather lonely lives as people who take our faith seriously... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AudreyGrace Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 [quote name='JoyfulLife' timestamp='1293487932' post='2194671'] [img]http://www.morethings.com/god_and_country/jesus/children-jesus-170.gif[/img] [/quote] *gasps for air* *breath gets taken away* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ice_nine Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 I'm a cradle Catholic, but I remember that not more than a year ago I heard two converts from protestantism talk about the Holy Eucharist and it touched me in a way that brought me to a greater understanding of what the Sacrament is. I assume that you holly.o converted from protestantism and I was likewise touched in the same way So thank you! Sometimes I struggle with belief in the Eucharist (it does soar above human reason and understanding) but your thoughts and love for Christ in the Sacrament moves me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chamomile Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 [quote name='eustace scrubb' timestamp='1295109694' post='2200354'] A lot of people leave because of a lack of love in the Church and the increased fellowship in Protestantism. I mean, let's face it, we tend to live rather lonely lives as people who take our faith seriously... [/quote] Hmmmm.... I take my faith seriously, and I wouldn't say I live a lonely life. I value solitude and don't enjoy the types of "fellowship" that the world values, but that definitely doesn't make me lonely - just alone sometimes, but with Christ. He will fill every need we have if we give ourselves completely to Him, and that includes our need to be loved. One question I saw recently that was posed to people considering religious life was, "What is the difference between being alone and being lonely?" A very important distinction is there, but that's not something I want to get into now - maybe you could start a different thread, or maybe I will later. Before I was Catholic, I left my Baptist church for awhile, and when I finally returned to another Baptist church, it was because I was looking for fellowship. But that fellowship didn't ultimately fulfill what I really needed - an abiding and loving encounter with Truth, with Jesus - and my faith faltered when I had to leave that church. It had no roots, like the seed sown in the wrong type of ground... "Where there is no love, put love, and there you will draw love out." ~ St. John of the Cross I think this quote is important to remember when faced with a situation where a Catholic parish might be lacking in charity. Of course, there are some times you do need to leave a parish, but to reject the entire Church based on the actions of a few people is pretty drastic. Like I said in a previous post, it must've been so sad for Jesus to ask His disciples, "Will you leave, too?" How can you leave after knowing the love of God in the Eucharist? If someone leaves the Catholic Church, I wonder if they ever believed this, because how could you look at the Face of Love and walk away? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chamomile Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 [quote name='Ice_nine' timestamp='1295159309' post='2200692'] I'm a cradle Catholic, but I remember that not more than a year ago I heard two converts from protestantism talk about the Holy Eucharist and it touched me in a way that brought me to a greater understanding of what the Sacrament is. I assume that you holly.o converted from protestantism and I was likewise touched in the same way So thank you! Sometimes I struggle with belief in the Eucharist (it does soar above human reason and understanding) but your thoughts and love for Christ in the Sacrament moves me. [/quote] I'm glad my words touched you. It's love that speaks. Yes, I'm a convert. Was raised Baptist... and I've been to Protestant services since being Catholic (for family reasons), and I'm just so struck by the absence of the Holy Sacrifice. It's also always so noisy to me - noisy on a spiritual level, where there's no interior peace. It reminds me that where God is, there is peace. And He is truly present in the Eucharist. -holly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eustace scrubb Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 i probably should have said "community" rather than "fellowship"... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chamomile Posted January 23, 2011 Share Posted January 23, 2011 [quote name='eustace scrubb' timestamp='1295231723' post='2200887'] i probably should have said "community" rather than "fellowship"... [/quote] I wonder what the difference is to you? To me those words are pretty similar... I just attended an Eastern Catholic Church and was very warmly welcomed. Have you tried visiting one of those? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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