October 2013
In the April 2013 Letters to the Editor, a reader took exception to the article “Luke and the Path to Christian Discipleship” (January): She said, “Eucharist is a communal act and should not become a purely private devotion.” I can identify with her feelings as well as the viewpoint of the author.
I heard an explanation from a group discussion on the Eucharist about a year ago that personally satisfied me.
The consecration of the bread was meant for the individual. Each portion at the Last Supper was broken off from the loaf and eaten as an individual act. Bread nourishes your body as I (Jesus) nourish your soul, “I in you and you in me.”
When Jesus consecrated the wine, he said: the wine is “the blood of the New Covenant,” meaning he is the life blood of the Church, the mystical body. Each of us is a molecule in that body. This was symbolized by all the disciples’ drinking from one cup.
The reception of the Eucharist is, to me, a personal visit with Jesus. During our loving encounter, we realize we all drink from the one family cup. He and the Father are one, and we are his children. As such, we must take our responsible place in the family.
When I hug my Dad, it’s personal, but I know I’m not an only child.
Just thought I’d add my two cents’ worth.
J. Zilliox, OH
A good start to informing Catholics [about the Health Reform Action Plan] would be to publish Cardinal Dolan’s letter to his brother bishops. It’s a long letter, but it’s a must-read for every Catholic.
Everyone is affected by the HHS mandate, but especially Catholic hospitals, healthcare facilities, and medical personnel who will find much of this mandate morally repugnant with respect to medical topics such as abortion, sterilization, euthanasia, and more.
I generally find Catholics, including the clergy and women religious, to be poorly informed. You are involved in the great work of the Church: teaching what Christ taught. You have a great opportunity to teach the Catholic faithful about the “terrible, terrible evil of ObamaCare.”
M. Halpin, KS