Rebecca Hamilton on the hard teachings of Christ:
If you do not eat of my flesh and drink of my blood, you will no have life within you.
-Jesus Christ
The Eucharist was a scandal. Many of Jesus’ followers left Him when he rather explicitly told them I am the bread of life.
It is popular today to cast Jesus as a Casper Milquetoast god thingy of our devising. According to popular cant, Jesus’ sole purpose in becoming human was to tell us that, hey, I’m ok and you’re ok. Do what feels good and so long as it doesn’t kill somebody else — unless of course it’s euthanasia, embryonic stem cell research or abortion, in which case, it’s a “human right” to kill somebody else — so long as it doesn’t kill somebody else that you’ve decided it is a denial of human rights not to kill, it’s fine by me.
Jesus’ living teaching about the mercy of God toward the weak and helpless, in particular women, when
He said let him who is without sin cast the first stone has been transmuted to mean I can commit any sin I want and the Church is sinning if it says my sin is a sin. The Eucharist was a hard teaching, a scandalizing teaching, on that day when Jesus first taught it. Many people left Him because of it.
But Jesus didn’t follow after them and try to smooth things over. He didn’t say C’mon back. I didn’t mean it that way.
His reaction was — if you have deluded yourself into believing in the Casper Milquetoast Jesus of modern pop theology — downright unChristlike.
She's got more and it flies in the face of the sentimentalism that passes today as theology.
Read the rest and be challenged.
I recall my own struggle with the Real Presence.
I remember wanting to believe but not quite crossing the chasm that existed. But then, during RCIA, I had a brief but powerful confession with the priest who is now my pastor and he helped me bridge the divide. I've not been the same since.
I cannot fathom missing Mass today and in fact, I long for the time when my schedule will allow going to daily Mass.
The Eucharist, and the Real Presence in that Eucharist, has come to mean that much to me. Absent its meaning, I doubt that I'd be as faithful each week in going to Mass. In fact, I know that I would not be. Sad but true.
In the end, the secret I believe in becoming a faithful Catholic, a devotee to the Church who will not miss Mass, is believing in the Real Presence of Christ. Once that belief is achieved, and God can help you in your unbelief, there'll be no turning back, no turning away.
Casper Milquetoast Jesus will then, by necessity, be taking a hike.
A much needed hike.
Here's to saying goodbye to Casper and hello to the Eucharist.