Because of this belief, only baptized Catholics can partake the Holy Communion in Roman Catholic Churches. Other Christians, who are baptized in other churches, even though baptized also in the same name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, but do NOT share the same belief of Holy Communion, are advised not to partake.
FR Don Kirchner, CSsR explained:
Catholics believe in transubstantiation. In short, this means that the bread and wine change at a substantial level, but the accidents remain. The bread becomes the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ. The wine becomes the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ. Christ is not divided. So if someone receives just the host, he has received the fullness of Jesus Christ. And if someone only drinks from the chalice, he also receives the fullness of Jesus Christ. (Note: The 'bread' has became the 'Host'.)
However, the accidents remain. Accidents are anything that your physical senses could perceive. This is in contrast to the substance that is what something really is. So it looks like wine, and all the physical properties of wine -- including the alcohol content -- remain. But it really is the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus.
This is a profound mystery. The Eucharist can only be understood by trusting in the words of our Savior.
No comments:
Post a Comment