Does one need to fast before the Holy Sacrifice

[Resurrexi]

Must one fast before the Holy Sacrifice even if the are not recieving the Soul and Divinity of God?

[SeekingHisPlan]

[quote name='StThomasMore' post='1051473' date='Aug 27 2006, 03:01 AM']
Must one fast before the Holy Sacrifice even if the are not recieving the Soul and Divinity of God?
[/quote]

Are you asking if one needs to fast if they will not be receiving the Eucharist? Your question throws me off. It may just be a semantics thing, but we usually speak of Christ's presence in the Eucharist as "Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity." Are you trying to split that definition by asking only about "Soul and Divinity." or are you simply asking about one who will not receive the Eucharist, period? The way it is phrased, your question may be taken to imply, "...even if they are receiving ONLY the Body and Blood and NOT the Soul and Divinity of God." That's an impossilbe distinction to make regarding the Eucharist. True presence involves Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity.


Maybe that's what you meant, and if so, I apologize for complicating your question.

For what it's worth, I think the answer is no, but I don't actually have grounds for that, so don't take it on my word.

[DAF]

There's the body and blood part too... <--SHP got to it before me.

From all that I've read, the assumption is that you'll be recieving the Eucharist at Mass. I haven't seen antyhing about fasting for the Mass, just the reception of the Eucharist. I think we can then say, but process of elimination, that you in fact do not need to fast for the Mass if you do not inted to recieve the Eucharist.

That being said, I would say that fasting is still a great way to prepare for the "source and summit of our Christian lives," sot here's no harm in doing it anyway.

Perhaps I'm wrong though,
in Christ,

Edited August 27, 2006 by DAF

[Resurrexi]

The only reason I phrased my question that way is becuase everyone always emphasizes the Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist and not the Soul and Divinity. Also, you always hear that God the Son is more often referred to Jesus or Christ or whatever than his Divine Name, God the Son, or just God. And since there is the hypostatic union, I am recieving the Body, Blood Soul and Divinity of God so I like to emphaisze that.

[heavenseeker]

i knowyou have to fast if you are going to recieve but im not sure if your not going to recieve.

[SeekingHisPlan]

[quote name='StThomasMore' post='1051870' date='Aug 27 2006, 11:28 PM']
The only reason I phrased my question that way is becuase everyone always emphasizes the Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist and not the Soul and Divinity. Also, you always hear that God the Son is more often referred to Jesus or Christ or whatever than his Divine Name, God the Son, or just God. And since there is the hypostatic union, I am recieving the Body, Blood Soul and Divinity of God so I like to emphaisze that.
[/quote]


Can you clarify the distinction you're making between the name "God the Son" and the name "Jesus" or the name "Christ?" The way it is phrased, you seem to be suggesting (and excuse me again if I am putting words in your mouth) that "Jesus" is somehow a lesser name than "God the Son." Are there writings to this effect? Actually, I suppose I should first ask whether this is what you meant to say in the first place. It just doesn't seem to make a lot of sense, considering that scripture tells us that "God gave him the name that is above all other names, so that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bend in Heaven, on earth and under the earth." This comes directly on the heels of an assertion of Jesus' equality with God.


Regarding the emphasis of "Body and Blood" over "Soul and Divinity." I think you are right. The former is referenced more often than the latter. However, the four are absolutely inseperable when we speak of Christ's presence in the Eucharist. (And I use the name Christ very deliberately there, given its meaning and the implications of His presence in the Eucharist.). As the four elements are inseperable, I'm not sure it's productive to emphasize two elements by leaving out the other two when speaking about the Eucharist.

Just my humble opinion.

Edited August 28, 2006 by SeekingHisPlan