- In all that you read from this encyclical and the instructor’s commentary, what did you find most helpful?
- What did you find most challenging? Why?
- Choose one of the seven gifts we receive from the Eucharist and explain what it means in everyday, ordinary life. Clue: how has the gift helped you?
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October 23rd, 2005 at 3:10 pm
In all that I read from this encyclical and the instructor’s comentary, I found most helpful learning the almost science fiction like concept of time in regards to the Euchrist. That I am taken back to the Last supper, the cross, and the resurrection in time as I share Jesus Christ in a tangible way as I eat his body that looks like bread and drink his blood that taste like wine I am with the apostles around that table, I am at the foot of the cross first hand during his agony with Mary his mother and John his beloved apostle, I am at the tomb to see the resurrected Christ, but I am also sharing the experience with the blessed Mary, alll the angels and Saints including John Paul who wrote this and also am connected with every person in the world partaking in Euchrist everywhere, especially all at my parish all of them. This connectedness with all the above and myself is also united with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I never realized how connected to all I am all people all of creation. How big this is. I am awed and amazed.
What I find most challenging is the fact that ordination gives priest a special position to act in Jesus place even when they are the most sinful of all. It seems that I must be without sin to receive Euchrist worthily but the priest can be very unworthy and still speak the words of consecration and this supernatural changing of bread and wine to body blood soul and divinity can still come through the priest.
Receiving from the Euchrist the foretaste of the fullness of joy that I will receive at the fullness of time which includes getting my own glorified, resurrrected body. A foretaste of eternal life I will receive in heaven. Praise God, as long as I feed on Jesus Christ, fully aware I am receiving Jesus, knowing in all my being that I want to be united with him, Oh I do, I really do, I already posses eternal life, because the Eucharist is the first-fruits of heaven. Somehow I am connected in a real way to heaven I cannot explan but somehow what I received in the Euchrist, it was not only my daily bread, but also part of my future in heaven.
March 6th, 2006 at 10:20 pm
After taking the course on the Rosary, I was glad to discover the connection never ends,the teachings are like stories that inter-twine with the Bible, the Rosary and the Mass. Being a convert, I thought my mis-understanding came from a place of ignorence, not true, so many [too many] of us either never knew the essence of the Eucharist or have long forgotten. God has given us an opportunity to stay connected as his choosen people with him and each other, I am so sorry the stife of this world has put up barriers-we have put up barriers and there was a time last year when I became overwhelmed and felt like we might not make it into the kingdom as a whole, a gift of “eternal hope” was begotten by the Holy Spirit and I thank him for it every day.
My challenges come from my lack of knowlege of the Catholic faith, the “little” things that werem’t explained when I converted.
The gift of a Pure Love first from Christ to the Father and then us, is so immense-I love trying to take it all in.
September 3rd, 2007 at 10:33 pm
The most helpful idea in my spiritual awareness is the realize that when we join in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist here on earth, we are uniting heaven and earth, and we ourselves get a glimpse of our life in heaven. It was very important to remember once again that I become one with Christ when I receive Him in faith and I say “Amen” with a believing heart. I truly wish I never miss any opportunity to experience this union with God and the entire Church. I also have to remember that every single person who worships with me is Jesus himself calling me to love without judgement and conditions. What a great vision of oneness when I reflect on His sacrificial love for all humankind and how He makes Himself one with us in the eucharistic bread!
The most challenging thought is the fear of ever doubting that Jesus is really present in the Eucharist. I know it is true, but when my sinful blindness kicks in, I have to work really hard to just let my faith believe it, even if I don’t understand it.
When I feel down and weak, I know that by receiving the Holy Eucharist I will receive the strength of the Holy Spirit to come back to a life of holiness, to help the establishment of the kingdom of God here on earth, to become a beacon of light in the midst of darkness, to bring others to the presence of God; all this is only achieved when I allow the presence of the Holy Spirit to act through my life and use me as an instrument of love. This strength can only come into my life when I cling to the power of the heavenly food, God present in the Holy Sacrament of the Altar.
November 11th, 2007 at 2:10 pm
I have found helpful the point which explains the continuity of the Lord’s sacrifice through the eucharist.This gives the HolyMass meaning as it brings us close to Jesus. Therefore, the continuity of the sacrifice susiains our hope for His coming and eternity.
What challanged me most is the idea that when concecrated, the bread and wine change into flesh and blood of Jesus. This is so because unlike other parts of the document which are logically understood by reason, this part demands faith for one to understand it. However, using the knowledge in the above paragraph, it becomes clear that by repeating the Lord’s words,as commanded by Him, the change is possible.
Gift number seven means that whenever we recieve the Eucharist, we recieve Christ. Therefore we are required to live like Him. We must love and serve others like Him.This gift is helpful to me because it is a centre of my vision– the vision to serve God and hummanity. Therefore the more I recieve the eucharist, the more I renew my vision, the more the more I gather the strength to walk.
August 11th, 2008 at 7:14 am
Where does one start to explain what I found most helpful from this encyclical and the instructor’s commentary? I am a cradle Catholic, and for the past year have been taking part in weekly Eucharistic Adoration, and feel I have received profound graces during this time. During this time my search for answers led me to this course. This encyclical reminds me that Jesus is present in all around me, that He is truly present in the bread and wine, always available for us, inviting us to become one with Him. It is all right not to fully comprehend this mystery, it is a blessing to have the gift of faith to believe He loves us enough to be present in the Eucharist. In paragraph 15 quote from Saint Cyril of Jerusalem states: “in the bread and wine merely natural elements, because the Lord has expressly said that they are His body and His blood; faith assures you of this, though your senses suggest otherwise”.
What I find most challenging is Jesus offering Himself for me - a sinner - and being available for me every day in this wonderful gift.
We receive the nourishment of Christ - food for what we need to be like Him in everyday life - this is such an affirmation for me. The challenge of being sinful, I wonder if I can ever be a mere portion of the person He is, but, through the gift of Eucharist He comforts me, teaching me that through Him all is possible.
November 11th, 2008 at 11:54 pm
I have found the encyclical letter to be very beneficial to me as I am learning about the Catholic faith. I am reminded of Jesus’ presence in every circumstance and every part of creation. His presence is a great mystery, just as the presence of the Holy Spirit astounds me. I do not understand how He comes into my heart (and everyone elses0, but I know it to be true. I find the mystery of transubstantiation to be most challenging for me to comprehend. I know I don’t have to understand fully yet and I am okay with that. Through the gift of the Eucharist (communion) I find comfort for my daily struggles, I find rest for my soul.