I Have Trouble Believing In The Eucharist

[Papist]

[quote name='Ice_nine' timestamp='1336101578' post='2426822']
I know it's terrible. I signed up for a weekly hour of adoration (I missed las week tho I wasn't feeling well so sad), and there are moments when the reality of the Eucharist hits me, which is beautiful, but overall it can just seem so . . . absurd? I'm not trying to be blasphemous. It's just hard. I don't like that it's hard, but it just seems so silly that God would come to us under the appearance of bread and wine. ANd yes it's a little absurd that God would take on a human body, but to be something which appears to be lifeless and inanimate, it's confusing.

I'd really like a good book to read about the Eucharist, just how to understand and appreciate the mystery thereof you know? I don't want a simple thing tho. I'd prefer something that's challenging and rich, even if it will take a long time to read. I'd really appreciate suggestions on that end and more practical personal suggestions as well.
[/quote]

The best I know is [b]The Holy Eucharist[/b] by Cardinal Francis Arinze


Excerpt from The Holy Eucharist


[quote]
Part I: Institution

It is first useful for us to say a word on how the Holy Eucharist was foreshadowed in the Old Testament, promised by our Lord after the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, and finally instituted at the Last Supper.

Foreshadowed in the Old Testament

The Covenant between God and the People of Israel, who were under the leadership of Moses, was made with the sacrifice of calves. "Moses took the blood and cast it towards the people. ‘This,’ he said, ‘is the blood of the Covenant that Yahweh has made with you, containing all these rules’ " (Exod 24:8). This was a foreshadowing of the New Covenant, which would be made by the death of Jesus Christ on the Cross for the redemption of all humanity.

God fed his chosen people with manna from heaven for the forty years that they wandered in the desert (cf. Exod 16:35); this was a symbol of Christ feeding his people with his Body and Blood during their years of earthly pilgrimage.

The paschal lamb (cf. Exod 12:1-14) and Isaac who was ready to be offered to God (cf. Gen 22:1-14) are symbols of Christ, the victim of love for our sins.

Through the prophet Malachi, God predicted that the sacrifices of old would be replaced with a pure offering: "From farthest east to farthest west, my name is honored among the nations and everywhere a sacrifice of incense is offered to my name, and a pure offering too, since my name is honored among the nations, says Yahweh Sabaoth" (Mal 1:11). This is a clear prophecy about the Eucharistic Sacrifice that would eplace all Old Testament sacrifices for all time and in all places.

Promised by Jesus Himself

Jesus announced that he would give humanity the great gift of the Eucharistic mystery. After he performed the miracle of multiplying five barley loaves and two fishes, thousands of people ate to their hearts’ content, and twelve baskets of leftovers were collected. The people followed Jesus. Enthusiasm ran high. They wanted to make him king.

Jesus took that occasion to advise them to look for the food that will not perish. He told them that he is the bread come down from heaven that would guarantee immortality to those who ate of it. To make it still clearer to them, he declared: "My flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me and I live in him. . . . Anyone who eats this bread will live for ever" (Jn 6:55-58).

Many of his disciples refused to believe. They said: "This is intolerable language. How could anyone accept it?" (Jn 6:60). They walked away. But Peter and the other Apostles stayed with Jesus and confessed their faith and trust in him: "Lord, who shall we go to? You have the message of eternal life, and we believe; we know that you are the Holy One of God" (Jn 6:68-69). Peter has echoed the attitude of faith of all those throughout history who, at Jesus’ word, believe in the Eucharistic mystery.

Instituted at the Last Supper

At the Last Supper of Jesus with his Apostles, something extraordinary took place. "Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to pass from this world to the Father. He had always loved those who were his in the world, but now he showed how perfect his love was" (Jn 13:1). This is the deliberately chosen introduction by St. John the Evangelist.

Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. The act was full of meaning. The supper began. During the supper, Jesus made many special discourses. It was, after all, his Last Supper with his dear ones, the night before he would sacrifice himself on the Cross.

"Now as they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and when he had said the blessing he broke it and gave it to disciples. ‘Take it and eat’; he said, ‘this is my body.’ Then he took a cup, and when he had returned thanks he gave it to them. ‘Drink all of you from this,’ he said, ‘for this is my blood, the blood of the covenant, which is to be poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. From now on, I tell you, I shall not drink wine until the day I drink the new wine with you in the kingdom of my Father’ " (Mt 26:26-29; cf. also Mk 14:22-25; Lk 22:19-20). He also added: "Do this as a memorial of me" (Lk 22:19).

By this act Jesus did two things. He changed bread and wine into his Body and Blood and gave to the Apostles to eat and drink. Then he told his Apostles to do this in his memory, that is, to consecrate bread and wine into his Body and Blood and distribute to his followers. He was telling them to celebrate the Eucharistic Sacrifice. He was ordaining them priests of the New Covenant.

The intention, and indeed command, of Christ was faithfully carried out by the primitive Church. St. Luke testifies: "These remained faithful to the teaching of the apostles, to the brotherhood, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers" (Acts 2:42). St. Paul the Apostle, who faithfully transmitted to us what he had received from the Lord (cf. 1 Cor 11:23), is clearly speaking of the Eucharistic Sacrifice when he points out that Christians ought not to take part in pagan sacrifices, precisely because they have been made partakers of the table of the Lord (cf. 1 Cor 10:16).

The Holy Eucharist was therefore directly instituted by Jesus Christ himself as his special parting gift to his Church.[/quote]

Something easier to read would be,

This is My Body: An Evangelical Discovers the Real Presence by Mark P. Shea

[Safia]

Are you an intellectual person at all? I'd recommend reading [url="http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Jewish-Roots-Eucharist-Unlocking/dp/0385531842"]JESUS AND THE JEWISH ROOTS OF THE EUCHARIST[/url]. It shows just how NOT absurd it was to invent the Eucharist at the Last Supper for Our Lord's time.

What helped me constantly is the prayer, "Jesus, I believe; help my unbelief." I will never forget the day the mystery pierced my soul.

I'll pray for you.

[MissyP89]

For what it's worth, Ice, I feel that way about our whole [i]faith [/i]most days. I know that doesn't answer your question, but I thought it might help to know that you're not alone in feeling the way you do. Don't be ashamed. We all struggle.

I think the real measure of our faith is if we quit or we keep going, despite our doubts. I think that's what God looks at, too, in the end.

Hugs and prayers, friend. Thank you for always being so open and honest. It inspires me.

[xTrishaxLynnx]

[quote name='Ice_nine' timestamp='1336101578' post='2426822']
I know it's terrible. I signed up for a weekly hour of adoration (I missed las week tho I wasn't feeling well so sad), and there are moments when the reality of the Eucharist hits me, which is beautiful, but overall it can just seem so . . . absurd? I'm not trying to be blasphemous. It's just hard. I don't like that it's hard, but it just seems so silly that God would come to us under the appearance of bread and wine. ANd yes it's a little absurd that God would take on a human body, but to be something which appears to be lifeless and inanimate, it's confusing.

I'd really like a good book to read about the Eucharist, just how to understand and appreciate the mystery thereof you know? I don't want a simple thing tho. I'd prefer something that's challenging and rich, even if it will take a long time to read. I'd really appreciate suggestions on that end and more practical personal suggestions as well.
[/quote]

While I don't have a suggestion for a book or anything (I think that's pretty well covered, anyway) I can offer something that has helped me, not to understand, but to [i]accept[/i] the Eucharist as the body and blood of Christ. I just close my eyes and imagine it is actually Jesus standing at the altar, saying the words "This is my body... this is my blood." This helps me to remember that the priest is there in his stead... it's sometimes easy to forget that, especially the way our Pastor parades around the altar like he's on a broadway stage... that's an entirely different topic, though.

[Tab'le De'Bah-Rye]

[quote name='xTrishaxLynnx' timestamp='1339174037' post='2442559']
While I don't have a suggestion for a book or anything (I think that's pretty well covered, anyway) I can offer something that has helped me, not to understand, but to [i]accept[/i] the Eucharist as the body and blood of Christ. I just close my eyes and imagine it is actually Jesus standing at the altar, saying the words "This is my body... this is my blood." This helps me to remember that the priest is there in his stead... it's sometimes easy to forget that, especially the way our Pastor parades around the altar like he's on a broadway stage... that's an entirely different topic, though.
[/quote]

aha i saw a substitute priest do something similar today and on top of it he walked to a lady in a pew and told everyone it was her 90th birthday and hugged and kissed her and prayed over her and than everyone clapped this is all fine but probably should be done after the final blessing is given and not half way through the mass.

edit: sorry off topic but undeletable now because i realised this after post that i should have pm'd it, i'm still learning

Edited June 10, 2012 by Tab'le Du'Bah-Rye

[BarbTherese]

Why do we believe what we believe (The Holy Trinity for one only other example), because it is clearly evident in Scripture and affirmed for us by our theology as affirmed and professed by The Church - and for this reason too, we believe in the Real Presence in The Blessed Eucharist. Reason and logic may struggle with both Scripture and theology, but the eyes of Faith are sure, and strong Graced Faith will not stumble because of reason, logic or feelings - and, incidentally, Faith always transcends reason and logic, feelings. Sometimes Faith is a leap in absolute and total darkness when reason and logic - and feelings too - are involved in a heated argument with Scripture and our theology.

Reason and logic, feelings, are of human nature, the natural. Faith is of the supernatural man and Spirit, Grace (transcending nature and the natural). Faith is the first of the three theological gifts at Baptism :

[quote]Hebrews Chapter 11 [url="http://www.drbo.org/x/d?b=drb&bk=65&ch=11&l=6#x"][6][/url] But without faith it is impossible to please God. For he that cometh to God, must believe that he is, and is a rewarder to them that seek him.
[url="http://www.drbo.org/chapter/65011.htm"]http://www.drbo.org/chapter/65011.htm[/url]
[/quote]

Lord, increase our Faith

Why do we profess our Faith in all that The Church teaches and proclaims, because we believe that Jesus said that we can with confidence "Thou art Peter, The Rock, and on this rock I shall build My Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" and also (John Chapter 16) " [url="http://www.drbo.org/x/d?b=drb&bk=50&ch=16&l=12#x"][12][/url] I have yet many things to say to you: but you cannot bear them now. [url="http://www.drbo.org/x/d?b=drb&bk=50&ch=16&l=13#x"][13][/url] But when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he [u]will teach you all truth[/u]. For he shall not speak of himself; but what things soever he shall hear, he shall speak; and the things that are to come, he shall shew you. [url="http://www.drbo.org/x/d?b=drb&bk=50&ch=16&l=14#x"][14][/url] He shall glorify me; because he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it to you. [url="http://www.drbo.org/x/d?b=drb&bk=50&ch=16&l=15#x"][15][/url] All things whatsoever the Father hath, are mine. Therefore I said, that he shall receive of mine, and shew it to you. "