Devotion to the Holy Eucharist Advances Devotion to Jesus' Person

The Real Presence ^ | Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J

[biblewonk]

The Lord cares nothing about "beautiful devotions". This is clear from the NT yet the distinction between grace and the law is often muddied among Catholics. But I have so many issues with Catholic traditions and practices it gives me a headache even trying to organize them.

[american colleen]

Like I said, you are off in the weeds.

Is not reading and meditating on the bible a "beautiful devotion" and are we limited to just that? Is it a sin to build a beautiful house of worship fit for a King? Is it a sin to use the most expensive materials available in that worship?

We don't worship the materials, we donate them for the honor of our Saviour and Redeemer. We also clothe and feed and educate the poor, who will always be with us.

[Desdemona]

This is clear from the NT yet the distinction between grace and the law is often muddied among Catholics.

Christ made it clear that when the law is done FOR THE WRONG REASONS is when we run into trouble. Eucharistic Adoration is not done for the wrong reasons nowadays. You don't go there to be seen and it is not required, but done out of love.

And, BTW, the gold thing pretty much comes from Revelation as I understand it.

[biblewonk]

Is not reading and meditating on the bible a "beautiful devotion" and are we limited to just that? Is it a sin to build a beautiful house of worship fit for a King? Is it a sin to use the most expensive materials available in that worship?

It certainly can be. Do you recall in the OT when Israel failed to destroy the treasures taken from the nations they were killing off? They were going to use them in sacrifice and that seemed just as innocent and righteous as Catholic embellishments. But it wasn't. God finally says that He hated the sacrifices and offerings because they were offered amiss. Do you think that such things can be recreated right now?

God is certainly more pleased with faithfullness to His word than with building "beautiful places of worship".

[A.A. Cunningham]

You sound like Judas whining about the cost of the oil.

[walking in truth]

The Word of God is a person, the second person in the Holy Trinity, the Son of God, His name is Jesus Christ.
He is present, Body, Blood Soul and Divinity in The Most Blessed Sacrament, The Eucharist. This is why we have Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

[american colleen]

God finally says that He hated the sacrifices and offerings because they were offered amiss. Do you think that such things can be recreated right now?

God is certainly more pleased with faithfullness to His word than with building "beautiful places of worship".

And here you are judging the motives of Catholics - acting in the place of God, I might add. Can not the two things (faithfulness and beauty in that faithful worship) be intertwined for the adoration of God?

[Siobhan]

A glorious meditation from Fr. Hardon, SJ. Do read this.

[Siobhan]

I thank God for your Father Murphy as well. He was as surely sent to you in an answer to many prayers, as I believe you and your children were sent to him in answer to his prayers.

[american colleen]

You have no idea! After a few weeks with this priest while still missing belonging to a parish, we are at the point now where we don't look back at all. Yesterday that small hospital meeting room was filled to overflowing, more and more people every week... people are so hungry!

It is a great blessing to see how different my children are since they have come to know a holy priest.

[biblewonk]

He is present, Body, Blood Soul and Divinity in The Most Blessed Sacrament, The Eucharist. This is why we have Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

If the bible said that, I'd believe that.

[Pyro7480]

"And whilst they were at supper, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke: and gave to his disciples, and said: Take ye, and eat. This is my body. And taking the chalice, he gave thanks, and gave to them, saying: Drink ye all of this. For this is my blood of the new testament, which shall be shed for many unto remission of sins.
-Matthew 26: 26-28

Note, he doesn't say "This is a symbol of my body."

[franky]

Thank you NYer

I have been trying to locate a parish locally and you have pointed one out in Belfonte PA, about 30 miles away.

I watch EWTN and Father Collins on Sunday at 6 PM but there is nothing like the real thing.

[franky]

%%%"But I have so many issues with Catholic traditions and practices it gives me a headache even trying to organize them."%%%

Just consider St. Paul when he states "...faith, hope and love, but the greatest of these is love. Love cures headaches!

Don't let the issues get in your way. We will welcome you at the Gates.

[NYer]

Could you not watch with me, for one hour.

So very glad that you were able to locate a curch sufficiently nearby where you can go for Adoration. On the Journey Home program tonight, a young convert from the Lutheran faith, said that he is drawn to Eucharistic Adoration. He draws his life from those moments spent with Christ. It is comforting to know that more and more catholics are seeking that hour of silent conversation with our Lord.

On Fridays, during Lent, my Maronite Catholic parish offers the Procession of the Cross. I have not yet attended this service. Yesterday, in describing it to me, they likened it to Eucharistic Adoration. The chants sung, are Mary's words as she stood at the foot of the cross, contemplating her Son. We will have Eucharistic Adoration on Holy Thursday.

May God bless you for your effort to share time with Him this week. "I speak with my Lord and He speaks to me".

[Siobhan]

Every Maronite service and especially the Holy Qurbono cause me to weep because I find the presence of Jesus the Lord so profound and almost overwhelming.

There are times at Benediction and at Adoration when I receive from Our Blessed Lord something so sweet and pure I am at a loss to say what it is beyond Grace. But it is what has kept me alive and hopeful after tremendous sorrows, and it has given me the courage to do things for Him I would never have had the courage to do apart from gazing upon Him and receiving from Him the love, the compassion and the grace to undertake the seemingly impossible.

[biblewonk]

I consider Paul when he said "Who isn't made to stumble and I don't burn with indignation". Believing things that are false is quite a stumble.