Posted on 06/15/2010 5:36:10 AM PDT by DouglasKC
>>No. I’m not your judge. <<
Nope, that’s right, you’re not.
And God doesn’t go by Your own interpretation of Scripture, so I have no need to sweat about it, silly human.
Looked more like “This was how big the fish I caught was!” rathetr than touchdown jesus.
How many ways are there to interpret this?
“Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the LORD your God.”
IN CONTEXT. “to bow down unto it”
Guess you don’t use decoys, nor have pictures of your kids, or knickknacks in your house. Graven images, ya know.
Read some of the commentary in the news articles by witnesses and see if they are or are not ascribing some supernatural significance to the image.
It is foolish to think anyone in the tri-state area worshipped “Big Butter Jesus” as if it were an idol.
A graven image, is any man-made religion. Which is what you have with the 20,000 or so protestant sects.
Better to stick with what God ordained, the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.
Read some of the commentary in the news articles by witnesses and see if they are or are not ascribing some supernatural significance to the image.And so? I think such things are silly, but only God can see the secrets of the heart. I do not try to do so. I won't condemn because condemnation is reserved to God by God. I can only advise that idolatry is gravely sinful and to be avoided.
If one says he knows that it is impossible for Providence to have played a role in something to create inspiration, that one thinks he has God in his pocket. The Bible is not an owners' manual.
According to Deuteronomy 5:7-9, an idol is ANY figure of wood or stone that is an object of worship.
Given that God is spiritual and not physical, no material representation can possibly resemble Him. To make an idol of God in the image of something in the sky, on the earth, or in the waters below was, and is strictly forbidden because God is a jealous God(cf. 34:14; Deut. 5:9; 6:15; 32:16, 21; Josh. 24:19); He is zealous that devotion be given exclusively to Him. His uniqueness (Ex. 20:3) requires unique devotion. Absence of such dedication is sin and has its effect on future generations. Those who thus are influenced to hate God will be punished by Him. By contrast He is loyal, showing ḥeseḏ, “loyal love” Hesed refers to God’s steadfast covenant love (Exodus 20:7) to those who love Him and who show that love by their obedience (cf. 1 John 5:3). to this command and to the other nine, enumerated here in Exodus 20:1-17.
One more point before I end; There are fourteen different synonyms and words for idols and images in the Old Testament (and not one of them match your stated definition). Exodus 4:23 clarifies the forbidden idols as “gods of silver or gods of gold.” It also includes images carved from stone or wood and later those made from metal. Since pesel (“idol,” in Exodus 20: 4) refers to statuary, the word temunah (“resemblance” or “form”) applies to real or imagined pictorial representations of God.
The Sepuagent (the Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament) translates the word temunah (“form”) seven times with the Greek word homoioma (“likeness”), twice with the word doxa (“glory”), and once with the Greek word morphe (“form”). The point is that the term does not refer to its shape but only to an IMAGINED resemblance.
As I stated in my original post, the so-called "Jesus" which was destroyed by an act of God was nothing but a false, imagined representation of Jesus made by the hands of sinful men. As such it was an idol, fitting the description found in Exodus 20 and subject to the prohibition of Exodus twenty verse four..
Amazing that it happened on the 2nd day of the Jewish month of Tammuz. Before Christianity came along there was a trinity of gods that people worshiped. Their names were Nimrod, Semiramis (Nimrod’s wife), and their son Tammuz.
“Given that God is spiritual and not physical”
This is not a given. There is this inconvenient truth called the Incarnation. If you are Christian, then you believe that Jesus Christ is true God and true man. Representations of Jesus Christ are possible, but their purpose is as an aid to contemplative prayer. You cannot name one person on this planet who worships representations of Jesus Christ, except the strawmen in your head.
An idol may be carved out of stone, wood, titanium, or ideas. Regardless of the material used, the idol is “man made” religion. An ideology like protestantism is also man made. Whether an idol is material or spiritual, it is still an idol, and is forbidden.
Better to stick with the religion that God founded. Then you can’t go wrong. Mohammed, Martin Luther, and Joseph Smith all did pretty much the same thing, they founded their own religions, and their followers are idol worshipers.
“God is SPIRIT, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:24) (Emphasis mine)
"No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him." (John 1:18)
"No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us." (1 John 4:12)
No one has seen God at any time because He is Spirit/INVISIBLE.
You stated: "Representations of Jesus Christ are possible, but their purpose is as an aid to contemplative prayer."
Your conclusion is biblically and patently false and totally unsupported by the Word of God. Just because the Lord Jesus Christ came in the flesh, does not give sinful man the right to contradict God's prohibition in order to make man made images, likenesses or supposed representations of Jesus, the supposed "saints", Mary or anyone else for the purpose of providing a theoretical "aid to contemplative prayer".
Your statement: "You cannot name one person on this planet who worships representations of Jesus Christ" is ridiculous; Millions upon millions of Roman Catholics all over the face of the earth worship invented representations of Jesus, Mary, "saints" on a daily basis and are heartily encouraged to do so by Rome itself.
You also said: "Whether an idol is material or spiritual, it is still an idol, and is forbidden." On that point we can heartily agree, therefore, if you believe and obey the Word of God over the traditions of man you would totally abhor Rome's perpetuation of multitudes of graven images and its support of the worship there of.
Argument by assertion and intentional poverty of language do not work with me. Nor do itching ears and white knuckles get one any closer to the Truth.
Latria, look it up. Once you understand what I am talking about, produce the name of one Catholic who engages in latria when using a representation of Jesus Christ as an aid to contemplation. Asserting that millions of Catholics engage in idol worship is a patent lie, but maybe you don’t know that?
What is interesting about the subject of holy images, is that Jesus Christ made us three of Himself, and the sweet Blessed Virgin Mary left us one of herself. If those two are okay with holy images, then I am also. Any image made of those two should be really good art. The Pieta captures in marble what the Stabat Mater captures in words.
Big Butter Jesus was an example of really bad art. And it is quite funny that it was destroyed by lightning.
" “Latria” defined: The highest kind of worship, or that paid to God; - distinguished by the Roman Catholics from dulia, or the inferior worship paid to saints. (Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, published 1913 by C. & G. Merriam Co.) Latria: Worship of the highest order that can be offered only to God."
The reality is this: Rome performs idolatrous latria by WORSHIPPING a false Jesus; a wafer god Jesus and imposes that worship on it's followers under the threat/pains of eternal damnation and that is one example of the idolatry found within the Roman Catholic Church:
Roman Catholicism worships Another/different “Jesus” (Person of Jesus)
Although, Roman Catholicism upholds the full deity of Jesus Christ and views Him as a co-equal member of the Trinity, the “Jesus” of Roman Catholicism is not the Jesus of biblical Christianity. Because of the Roman Catholic doctrines of Transubstantiation, and “the Holy Eucharist,” Jesus Christ is reduced to a wafer god that is to be sacrificed, adored and worshiped as “God” by the masses.
Transubstantiation
A Literal Application of Jesus’ Words
According to Roman Catholic doctrine, the bread and wine miraculously change into the actual body and blood of Christ just as it was sacrificed upon the cross. This transformation takes place at the command of the priest during mass when he pronounces the words of consecration . This is based primarily on a literal interpretation of John 6:53-58, where Jesus talks about eating His flesh and drinking His blood.
The RCC Teaches the Real Presence of Christ In the Wafer/Eucharist
According to Roman Catholicism, the bread (wafer/Eucharist) and wine literally and permanently becomes the person of Jesus Christ; His “body and blood, soul and divinity”. This is the historic and unwavering position of the Roman Catholic Church:
Canons and Decrees of the Council of Trent; The Thirteenth Session ON THE MOST HOLY SACRAMENT OF THE EUCHARIST
CANON I.-If anyone shall deny that the body and blood, TOGETHER WITH THE SOUL AND DIVINITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND THEREFORE ENTIRE CHRIST ARE TRULY, REALLY AND SUBSTANTIALLY CONTAINED IN THE SACRAMENT OF THE most holy EUCHARIST; and shall say that He is only in it as a sign, or in a figure, or virtue; let him be anathema (Eternally damned).
CANON II.-If any one says, that, in the sacred and holy sacrament of the Eucharist, the substance of the bread and wine remains conjointly with the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, and denies that wonderful and singular conversion (change) of the whole substance of the bread into the Body, and of the whole substance of the wine into the Blood, the appearances only of the bread and wine remaining, which conversion (change) indeed the Catholic Church most aptly calls Transubstantiation; let him be anathema (Eternally damned).
CANON III.-If any one denies, that, in the venerable sacrament of the Eucharist, THE WHOLE CHRIST is contained under each form, and under every part of each form, when separated; let him be anathema (Eternally damned).
CANON IV.-If any one says that after the consecration is completed, the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ are not IN the admirable sacrament of the Eucharist, but are there only during the use, while it is being taken, and not either before or after; and that, in the hosts, or consecrated particles, which are reserved or which remain after communion, the true Body of the Lord does not remain; let him be anathema (Eternally damned).
CANON VI.-If any one says that, in the holy sacrament of the Eucharist, Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, is not to be ADORED WITH THE WORSHIP OF LATRIA; also outwardly manifested, and is, consequently, neither to be venerated with a special festive solemnity, nor to be solemnly borne about in processions, according to the laudable and universal rite and custom of holy church; or, is not to be set publicly before the people to be adored, and that the adorers thereof are idolaters; let him be anathema(Eternally damned).
CANON VII.-If any one says, that it is not lawful that the Holy Eucharist be reserved in a sacred place (the sacrarium), but, immediately after consecration, it must necessarily be distributed amongst those present, or that it is not lawful that it be carried with honor to the sick; let him be anathema (Eternally damned).
CANON VIII.-lf any one says, that Christ, given in the Eucharist, is eaten SPIRITUALLY only, and not also sacramentally and REALLY; let him be anathema (Eternally damned). (According to this Canon, Roman Catholics practice cannibalism and if you do not believe this then you are damned!)
This doctrinal position regarding transubstantiation and the Eucharist is held to this present day. According to Roman Catholicism, the consecrated Eucharistic wafer is Jesus Christ:
Catechism of the Catholic Church #1374-1377: “The mode of CHRIST'S PRESENCE under the Eucharistic species is unique. It raises the Eucharist above all the sacraments as “the perfection of the spiritual life and the end to which all the sacraments tend.” IN THE MOST BLESSED SACRAMENT OF THE EUCHARIST "BODY AND BLOOD, TOGETHER WITH THE SOUL AND DIVINITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST AND, THEREFORE, THE WHOLE CHRIST IS TRULY, REALLY AND SUBSTANTIALLY CONTAINED." “This presence is called ‘real’ - by which is not intended to exclude the other types of presence as if they could not be ‘real’ too, but because it is presence in the fullest sense: that is to say, IT IS A SUBSTANTIAL PRESENCE BY WHICH CHRIST, GOD AND MAN, MAKES HIMSELF WHOLLY AND ENTIRELY PRESENT." It is by the conversion of the bread and wine into Christ’s body and blood that Christ becomes present in this sacrament. …”The Eucharistic presence of Christ begins at the moment of the consecration and endures as long as the Eucharistic species subsist. Christ is present whole and entire in each of the species and whole and entire in each of their parts, in such a way that the breaking of the bread does not divide Christ.” (Emphasis added)
The following quotes, which emphasize the Position of the Romanc Catholic Church on worshipping (performing latria) to this wafer god "Jesus" come from: "WHAT IS EUCHARISTIC ADORATION? A Question and Answer Brochure by the “Most Reverend” David A. Zubik, Bishop of Pittsburgh http://www.diopitt.org/adorationbrochure.pdf (Emphasis added)
“The personal relationship which the individual believer establishes with Jesus present in the Eucharist constantly points beyond itself to the whole communion of the Church and nourishes a fuller sense of membership in the Body of Christ.” (Pope Benedict XVI, The Sacrament of Charity)
What is the Eucharist?
The Eucharist is the sacrament that Jesus established when he took bread and wine, blessed them, and declared them to be his body and blood (see Luke 22:17-20). He commanded his disciples to “Do this in memory of me.” He had earlier foretold that his presence in the Eucharist would be real and substantial: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever ... Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink” (John 6:51, 54-55). WHEN A CATHOLIC PRIEST FOLLOWS THIS COMMAND OF JESUS AND OFFERS THE WORDS OF CONSECRATION, THE BREAD AND WINE ARE PERMANENTLY CHANGED, AND THEY BECOME JESUS: his BODY, BLOOD SOUL AND DIVINITY. [CCC 1373-1376, 1406, 1410, 1412-1413]
(According to this heresy, almighty God is reduced to the image of a wafer and we shall see that this "wafer Jesus" is to be worshipped with the worship of latria.)
How long is Jesus present in the sacrament of the Eucharist?
Jesus is present in the sacrament PERMANENTLY. His presence is ABIDING, not something that vanishes at the conclusion of Mass. The hosts remaining after Communion are kept in a special place of honor called the tabernacle. [CCC 1377, 1379]
Why is the Blessed Sacrament reserved in a tabernacle?
The tabernacle was first intended for the reservation of the Eucharist in a worthy place so that it could be brought to the sick and those absent from the Mass. As faith in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist deepened, the Church became more conscious of the meaning of silent adoration of the Lord under the Eucharistic species.
What is the relationship of Eucharistic adoration to the Mass?
The celebration of the Mass is the origin and purpose of the WORSHIP (Latria) SHOWN TO THE EUCHARIST outside the Mass. EUCHARISTIC ADORATION (The latria worship of this wafer god Jesus) extends Holy Communion in a lasting way even as it prepares the faithful to participate more fully in the celebration of the Mass. It leads us to acknowledge Christ’s marvelous presence in the sacrament and invites us to deeper spiritual union with him in the reception of Holy Communion.
What is the importance of EUCHARISTIC ADORATION?
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION is the RESPECT AND WORSHIP we give TO JESUS, WHO IS TRULY PRESENT TO US under the APPEARANCE of bread and wine. The Eucharist is a priceless treasure; by not only CELEBRATING IT but also by PRAYING BEFORE IT outside of Mass we are enabled to make contact with the very wellspring of grace. As St. Alphonsus Liguori noted, “of all devotions, that of adoring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the greatest after the sacraments, the one dearest to God and the one most helpful to us.” [CCC 1418] What forms does this ADORATION (Latria WORSHIP) take?
We show our ADORATION in many ways. The most intimate form of adoration is Holy Communion, when we receive Jesus’ body into our own. The most common and ordinary way we adore Jesus is by genuflecting - that is, kneeling briefly on one knee - whenever we pass the tabernacle in a church (see Philippians 2:10). Outside the Mass, the Church gives us further opportunities to WORSHIP JESUS. We may VISIT HIM at the tabernacle. And we may ADORE HIM when the Sacrament is brought out from the tabernacle FOR PUBLIC (Latria) WORSHIP. This is commonly called “exposition.” [CCC 1378]
What is exposition of the Blessed Sacrament?
Exposition is the placement of the sacred host outside the tabernacle for public adoration. This can take many forms. The simplest form is the opening of the tabernacle doors. Another form is the removal of the sacred vessels from the tabernacle for a more prominent and visible placement. The Church also permits a “full” exposition, when the sacred host is clearly visible in a vessel called a “monstrance .” What is the purpose of exposition of the Blessed Sacrament? There are three purposes of Eucharistic exposition: (1) to acknowledge Christ’s marvelous presence in the sacrament; (2) to lead us to a fuller participation in the celebration of the Eucharist, culminating in Holy Communion; and (3) TO FOSTER THE (Latria) WORSHIP which is due to Christ (the wafer god "Jesus" that is on full public display) in spirit and in truth.
What conditions are necessary for proper exposition of the sacrament?
The sponsors of this DEVOTION should make sure that a suitable number of WORSHIPPERS are present during the entire time of exposition. The Church also asks us to light four to six candles around the sacrament, and permits us to use incense. The Blessed Sacrament may never be left exposed without at least one WORSHIPPER present.
What is Benediction with the Blessed Sacrament?
Benediction is a rite in which a priest or deacon pronounces a blessing over those who are present for EUCHARISTIC ADORATION. As he gives the blessing, he elevates the monstrance or other vessel that contains the sacred host. Benediction normally follows a period of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, just prior to its reposition into the Tabernacle.
What are the fruits of EUCHARISTIC ADORATION?
People who observe Eucharistic adoration experience a deeper devotion to Jesus, and this manifests itself in countless ways. The primary fruits are repentance and conversion which lead to increased charity - that is, the love of Christ alive in his people. The ADORATION (Latria WORSHIP) OF JESUS IN THE EUCHARIST also leads to greater reverence at Mass, a deeper desire for personal holiness, and a stronger sense of union with the parish and the whole Church. Ever since the early centuries of Christianity, the Church has linked Eucharistic devotion to service to the poor. More recently, the practice has lead to an increase in vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and religious life.
How long have Christians practiced Eucharistic adoration? Christians have adored the Eucharist as long as the Church has celebrated the Eucharist - that is, from the time of the Apostles. The earliest texts that speak of the Mass are probably older than some of the New Testament books. In every generation since the generation of the Apostles, the Church Fathers wrote about Jesus’ real presence in the Eucharist. In the second, third, and fourth centuries, Christians in lands as far-flung as Italy, Egypt, North Africa, and Cappadocia (modern-day Turkey) testify to the special care given to the Eucharist that was reserved for the sick and homebound.
What is proper etiquette during EUCHARISTIC ADORATION?
When we are not taking part in vocal prayers and hymns with other adorers, we should be praying silently. Whenever we pass before the place where the sacred host is reserved, we should genuflect. We should observe the modest dress and decorum that are appropriate to very solemn occasions. We should avoid any actions that might disturb or distract others or draw attention to ourselves rather than Jesus.
How should we pray during EUCHARISTIC (Latria) ADORATION?
There are many ways to pray. We may meditate silently by gazing on the sacred host. We may silently speak to Jesus from our mind and heart. We may also rely on devotions and prayers from Catholic tradition, such as the reading of Scripture, recitation of the rosary, or the litanies. When two or more are gathered before the Sacrament, they may pray or sing hymns together.
What is the best way to promote EUCHARISTIC ADORATION?
The best way to promote Eucharistic adoration is by doing it! MAKE FREQUENT VISITS TO (the wafer-god)JESUS AT THE TABERNACLE. Invite your spouse, your children, your neighbors, and co-workers to join you. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us, “BECAUSE CHRIST HIMSELF IS PRESENT ("body, soul, spirit and divinity)IN THE SACRAMENT of the altar, He is to be HONORED with the (Latria) WORSHIP OF ADORATION. “To visit the Blessed Sacrament is…a proof of gratitude, an expression of love, and a duty of adoration toward Christ our Lord” (CCC1418). (Emphasis added)
Every one of the above cited sources call for and DEMAND the latria worship of this idol wafer-god "Jesus" and all of them are official Roman Catholic sources.
According to the above cited Canons of the Council of Trent, which have NEVER been rescinded and which are still in force, and the official doctrine of the Roman Catholic church; unless we believe in everything the church of ROME says about this wafer-god "Jesus", and unless we provide latria WORSHIP to this wafer-god "Jesus", we, along with everyone who claims to be a Roman Catholic are condemned, eternally damned. Consequently as I said within my previous post
One more thing, before I go; regarding the supposed "Power of Consecrating" which Roman Catholic priests are said to have:
According to the Roman Catholic church the “ Power of Consecrating: The supreme power of the priestly office is the power of consecrating. ‘No act is greater,’ says St. Thomas, ‘than the consecration of the body of Christ.’ In this essential phase of the sacred ministry, the power of the priest is not surpassed by that of the bishop, the archbishop, the cardinal or the pope. Indeed it is equal to that of Jesus Christ. For in this role the priest speaks with the voice and the authority of God Himself. WHEN THE PRIEST PRONOUNCES THE TREMENDOUS WORDS OF CONSECRATION, HE REACHES UP INTO HEAVENS, BRINGS CHRIST DOWN FROM HIS THRONE, AND PLACES HIM UPON OUR ALTAR TO BE OFFERED UP AGAIN AS THE VICTIM FOR THE SINS OF MAN.”
“It is a power greater than that of monarchs and emperors: it is greater than that of saints and angels, greater than that of Seraphim and Cherubim. Indeed it is greater even than the power of the Virgin Mary. For, while the Blessed Virgin was the human agency by which Christ became incarnate a single time, THE PRIEST BRINGS CHRIST DOWN FROM HEAVEN, AND RENDERS HIM PRESENT ON OUR ALTAR AS THE ETERNAL VICTIM FOR THE SINS OF MAN - NOT ONCE BUT A THOUSAND TIMES! THE PRIEST SPEAKS AND LO! CHRIST THE ETERNAL AND OMNIPOTENT GOD, BOWS HIS HEAD IN HUMBLE OBEDIENCE TO THE PRIEST’S COMMAND.”
“Of what sublime dignity is the office of the Christian priest who is thus privileged to act as the ambassador and the vicegerent of Christ on earth! He continues the essential ministry of Christ; he teaches the faithful with the authority of Christ, he pardons the penitent sinner with the power of Christ, he offers up again the same sacrifice of adoration and atonement which Christ offered on Calvary. No wonder that the name which spiritual writers are especially found of applying to the priest is that of ‘alter Christus.’ FOR THE PRIEST IS AND SHOULD BE ANOTHER CHRIST” (Faith of Millions, John O’Brien, Ph.D., LL.D., 268-269)(“nihil obstat” by Rev. T. E. Dillon-Censor Librorum and “imprimatur” by John Francis Noll, D.D. -Bishop of Fort Wayne). Emphasis added.
Based upon all of the above Roman Catholic sources and OFFICIAL Roman Catholic doctrine, I stand by my original declaration:
"Your statement: "You cannot name one person on this planet who worships representations of Jesus Christ" is ridiculous; MILLIONS UPON MILLIONS OF ROMAN CATHOLICS ALL OVER THE FACE OF THE EARTH WORSHIP INVENTED REPRESENTATIONS OF JESUS, MARY AND "SAINTS" ON A DAILY BASIS AND ARE HEARTILY ENCOURAGED (I would also add: are REQUIRED UNDER THREAT OF ETERNAL DAMNATION) TO DO SO BY ROME ITSELF"
The Blessed Sacrament is not a representation. We offer latria to Jesus Christ present in the Eucharist by Divine command (John 6, all of it). This discussion was about human art, which is a representation.
Thank you for posting all those beautiful canons. Infallible guidance can be habit forming. :)
Referring to Jesus Christ present in the Blessed Sacrament as a “wafer-god” shows an ignorance on your part as to how true believing Christians approach the Eucharist, which is often referred to as “THE Mystery of Faith”. It is the ONLY mystery Jesus commands us to believe which appears to contradict what our sensory inputs are telling us. Saint Thomas Aquinas captured the apparent contradiction well in his glorious hymmn Pange Lingua Gloriosi, which you will find below. But you must understand that any Catholic who fully comprehends THE Mystery of Faith, is acting based upon the supernatural gift of Faith, so no shaming or taunts by someone who does not share this Faith is of any value. It just brings shame and condemnation upon yourself.
How many good and faithful Catholics were drawn and quartered in England for not renouncing their supernatural Faith in the Eucharist? Do ya think they were just playing around with words and meanings? Their witness is a reminder that following Our Lord’s commands is sweet, and can sometimes cost one his life.
The taunt that Jesus present in the Eucharist is a “wafer god” has the smell of sulfur about it. Maybe you should ask Jesus in the stillness of your heart whether He willed to be with us this way, “even unto the consummation of the world”?
Pange Lingua
Sing, my tongue, the Savior’s glory,
of His flesh the mystery sing;
of the Blood, all price exceeding,
shed by our immortal King,
destined, for the world’s redemption,
from a noble womb to spring.
Of a pure and spotless Virgin
born for us on earth below,
He, as Man, with man conversing,
stayed, the seeds of truth to sow;
then He closed in solemn order
wondrously His life of woe.
On the night of that Last Supper,
seated with His chosen band,
He the Pascal victim eating,
first fulfills the Law’s command;
then as Food to His Apostles
gives Himself with His own hand.
Word-made-Flesh, the bread of nature
by His word to Flesh He turns;
wine into His Blood He changes;
what though sense no change discerns?
Only be the heart in earnest,
faith her lesson quickly learns.
Down in adoration falling,
Lo! the sacred Host we hail;
Lo! o’er ancient forms departing,
newer rites of grace prevail;
faith for all defects supplying,
where the feeble senses fail.
To the everlasting Father,
and the Son who reigns on high,
with the Holy Ghost proceeding
forth from Each eternally,
be salvation, honor, blessing,
might and endless majesty. Amen.
And here is Thomas Aquinas’ prayer after Communion:
I give Thee thanks, O holy Lord, Father Almighty, Eternal God, that Thou hast vouchsafed, for no merit of my own, but of the mere condescension of Thy mercy, to satisfy me, a sinner and Thine unworthy servant, with the Precious Blood of Thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ. I implore Thee, let not this Holy Communion be to me an increase of guilt unto my punishment, but an availing plea unto pardon and forgiveness. Let it be to me the armor of faith and the shield of good will. Grant that it may work the extinction of my vices, the rooting out of concupiscence and lust, and the increase within me of charity and patience, of humility and obedience. Let it be my strong defense against the snares of all my enemies, visible and invisible; the stilling and the calm of all my impulses, carnal and spiritual; my indissoluble union with Thee the one and true God, and a blessed consummation at my last end. And I beseech thee that Thou wouldst vouchsafe to bring me, sinner as I am, to that ineffable banquet where Thou, with the Son and the Holy Ghost, art to Thy saints true and unfailing light, fullness and content, joy for evermore, gladness without alloy, consummate and everlasting bliss. Through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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