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This is just my opinion and belief. It is not meant to foster mine onto anyone else. It is however an exercise in thought for all believers.
Well it should suffice that we who believe recognize that we are in the presence of God each day. The fact that God is an omnipotent being and sees and knows all things and is omnipotent should make professed believers aware of each and everything that they do every second of the day. The question is does it?
Now Catholics believe that God is present in the Tabernacle of each and every Catholic Church. That is that every consecrated host that is stored in that tabernacle is the true body and blood of God. It is based on the Word presented in John 6 of the Bible. It is very specific, very clear and very precise. It is also very prophetic in that it states, “many will flee" from it and how true it is.
The fact that others take the Bible as the literal word of God but ignore this is amazing to me. At least as far as I am concerned those who contest this will not even present a viable argument against it and they sort of run from it. The key here is “in remembrance of me". Rhetorically, as one consumes the Host are they not remembering?
While we all have our own beliefs in reaching God, in my opinion it demonstrates the complexity of man that they can selectively apply just what they want to believe when they themselves say they believe in the Literal Word. One might ask very honestly just how can they say it is allegorical or metaphorical or state that it is not really what was interpreted or what God meant when the dictionary supports the words used as they are used and the fact that these are Gods Words not theirs. Why are these not literal?
So placing that long-standing dispute aside when Catholics enter any church they believe they are in the presence of God. Now I don’t know about anyone else but I don’t think and I truly believe that the very awesome nature of God Himself would have a fearful impact on anyone’s very being if suddenly called to appear before Him. So why is it that we do not enter this sacred location in silence and humbleness?
Why is it that when we enter a church many evidently by their actions do not respect that which they profess to believe? Is it that they really don’t believe it but it has become more of a ritual? Is it that out of sight out of mind situation that grips us all? Just why do we come into the presence of God in church and we make noise, talk, chatter, gossip and do all the things we really know we would never dare to do if all of a sudden God materialized in front of us.
Well Catholics know that God does at the time He is consumed at communion. Yet, He is there long before that physical act. Just why do we show up in beach attire and worse when in fact if we were going to the White House you bet we would be dressed as best we could. Why is it that way? Is it because it takes faith in something we heard about but can’t touch, see or smell? Well you believe in air don’t you? Why, because someone told you it is there.
So, as the early Christians and even Paul confessed and believed that this was the real and true body and blood of Christ what have we done to day to make it that less of a great sign and gift? There are enough verses in Paul and other locations to attest to this.
So here is what in my opinion we believers must do. First we must acknowledge His real presence because He said He was giving us His Body and Blood and we profess to be believers. We should bow and genuflect when we enter the church before His tabernacle. We must be silent in His presence. We must praise and honor Him along with silent prayer and acknowledgement of His presence for that is what we would do if He were to materialize there for our Human sake.
We must consume Him with true repentance and reparation knowing He already knows our sin and our faults. We must not take Him lightly but seek He who is Mercy itself.
Now for those who never knew or understood the true physical presence of God to come within your body and soul perhaps this is an opportunity? Oh, I hear you but I also believe God can enter ones soul at any time He wishes in spiritual communion when we truly seek Him. But it is He who gave us this Gift for a reason. Is it that He wanted us to also have His physical being of His actual Body and Blood?
For those who never understood that “remembrance of Him" was also a sharing in the actual Body and Blood that He gave to us at the Last Supper, then you have cheated yourself in my opinion from one of the Gift of Gifts He gave us. That is not to say you are any less a believer. Quite frankly converts are usually known to be more zealous over the Eucharist and certainly many Protestants read the Bible with fervor.
However, it does present an opportunity to examine John 6 to see just what it says in any version of the Word. However, you must read every word and use the dictionary and ancient translations and challenge your pastor as to why this is not a belief in the Protestant denominations. Even Martin Luther, as I understand, did not deny the Eucharist.
In any case, regardless of what Christian church, when we enter it should be in fear, humbleness, awe and praise. God Bless.
Robert T. Melaccio Sr. Copyright ©2006 Robert Melaccio
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