Posted on 07/23/2016 9:19:23 AM PDT by Salvation
Eucharist in the creed?
Msgr. Charles Pope
Question: The true presence of Christ in the Eucharist is central to our Catholic faith, and many converts say it was essential to their conversion. If this is so, why is the true presence not mentioned at all in the Nicene or Apostles Creeds? Should it not be added at the end where we state things like our belief in the Communion of Saints, the resurrection of the body and so forth? — Jerry Roventini, via email
Answer: There are many things that are not mentioned in the Nicene Creed. There is no mention of the Ten Commandments or grace; neither are we told what books belong to the New Testament or that we should care for the poor, etc. The creed is not a catechism; it is a statement of certain key doctrines that were disputed at the time of its composition in the fourth century.
The creed was composed in response to debates about the divinity of Jesus Christ and the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. While there are a few concluding statements related to ecclesiology and eschatology, the Nicene Creed remains preeminently a statement of faith in the one God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The belief in the true presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist was not widely disputed at the time. And to the degree it was, the need to definitively teach on the divinity of Christ was an important foundation in order to establish his true presence in the Eucharist.
In the Sacred Liturgy, many signs and words indicate the Real Presence. The words of the consecration, which are Jesus’ own words, say, “This is my body … my blood.” The priest later says, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” There are also signs of the Real Presence in our reverence of kneeling and genuflecting. And, as Communion is distributed, there is the simple creedal declaration and response: “The body of Christ. Amen.” Therefore, in the wider liturgy of the Mass and devotions such as adoration, the Church proclaims her belief in the True Presence.
While it would not intrinsically hurt to add to the Nicene Creed, one might wonder where it would stop. Further, since the creed is shared by the Catholic and Orthodox Churches, adding to the ancient creed might harm attempts at unity.
Pope Paul VI wrote a longer “Credo of the People of God” which does speak to the Eucharistic presence, but it is too long to recite at Mass.
I know what you mean bro. I was a very rebellious Catholic, and I had given up on the church when I was about 12, for two reasons. I knew I couldn't live up to it, and I enjoyed committing mortal sins.
Enjoying the pleasures of sin, however, leads to inner frustration and turmoil. I reached the end of my rope too. I was also shipping out for Vietnam, and I didn't know if I was going to come home, so I was looking for a get out of hell free card. I FOUND it, not in some false religion, but in a relationship with Jesus.
I survived my year in Nam. It seemed hotter there, than where I am now, even though this place is just as far south. Come on over, the ocean water is fine, and yes, I am a foreigner. 🇵🇭😆😄😄
If God can do anything, can He make a rock too heavy for Himself to lift?
Go ahead and answer it.
Mine started on 12 Dec 67. I had gotten my draft notice, so I joined the USAF. I didn't run to Canada either, though I could have. I didn't ever feel like the USAF was my cup of tea, so don't ask me how I tolerated it for 20 years, because I don't know. Part of it, I suppose, was I always worked in air conditioning, even in Vietnam. We were prohibited by regulations from working overtime, and much of the time, worked 5 or 6 hour shifts. In Vietnam, the other guys called us water walkers, because we didn't pull KP, guard duty, or any other kind of worthless activity.
Standing guard on the perimeter, during the monsoon season, was not exactly my idea of fun.
We are 13 hours ahead of you, so if Jesus decides to rapture us out at 2 PM, I get to go 13 hours before you do. 😀
That was my parents' excuse too. I don't think it will cut the mustard.
Seems that if someone claims the name of Christ, they would want to know what He says...
... and not just what is said by others.
No, TC, you are the "ill informed" one here. From the site http://www.justforcatholics.org/a181.htm we learn:
It is misleading to speak about “real presence” as if the term is equivalent to “transubstantiation.” Christians, who consider the bread and wine as strictly symbolical, also believe in the real presence of the Lord among them. Jesus said: “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20). Surely Christ is present in the congregation of His people, as He promises, especially during the celebration of the Supper. His presence is real even though it is spiritual and not carnal.
It wasn't until the Council of Trent (when WAS that? Oh, yeah the SIXTEENTH CENTURY) that the doctrine was defined in the second canon of the thirteenth session of the Council of Trent. How many more times will this have to be explained before the untruths about its origin stop being propagated here???
Oh, come on TC! Where did you learn your butchering facts? The blood is DRAINED from the animal right after it is killed otherwise, the meat will be contaminated and distasteful. NO one would eat it! That "juice" you must think is blood is actually "myoglobin".
To start with, the red, or dark, juice from red meat is not, in fact, blood, which is a common misconception. Most blood is drained from red meat when it is butchered. It is, rather, a protein (myoglobin) and a lot of water. (http://cooking.stackexchange.com/questions/8952/how-should-i-deal-with-blood-released-while-thawing-meat-in-the-refrigerator)
... and not just what is said by others.
You are correct sir. When I had my Eureka Moment, I had the wool pulled over my eyes for so long, I didn't believe anything that anyone told me, so I read it all for myself. That way, no one can lie to me. How is your Viber working today?😀😆😄🙉🙈🙊
Viber - haven’t checked. It hasn’t beeped at me. Is this a signal I should check?
Probably about 87 million times, although Elsie told me a billion times not to exaggerate. 😃
Yes, check your Viber. 😀
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>> “We are 13 hours ahead of you...” <<
The Last Trump is FOB the Temple Mount, Jerusalem :o)
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IIRC, the BIBLE says God cannot lie.
Which places you 19 hours behind the First Resurrection :o)
Do you understand, at your age, that Jesus Christ was GOD...and that GOD can pretty much do what He wants to????? You seem to base your decisions on human values....pathetic, God is not restricted by human opinions..His heavenly body has nothing to do with what we think.
Catholicism is the ONLY One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic Church on Earth, always has been, always will be...Catholicism is the ONLY true Christian church in the world...eat your heart out, that's the way it is.
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