Presence of God =)

Hi everyone

Long time no see! I've been away for a while and I'll probably continue to be away, but I just had a question about the Real Presence in relation to the Holy Eucharist:

Does the Bible specifically say that God's presence is in the Eucharist? I keep reading about it, and hearing about the wonderful experiences of the Eucharist, but where does it say that God's very presence is there?

I haven't come across any scripture specifically pointing it out...maybe I just wasn't aware =)

Anyway, I just wanted to share a few other things:

I read Scott Hahn's "Rome Sweet Home" (thanks Neal!), "The Lamb's Supper", "First Comes Love" (Hahn's new book), and I'm currently reading "A Father Who Keeps His Promises" and "Hail Holy Queen" =)

Hahn's books are awesome! Actually I particularly like "A Father who keeps his promises" =) Reading about salvation history is wonderful It's like a short commentary on the entire Bible =)

Also, would anyone agree that God's presense is not only in the Holy Eucharist? I personally believe God's presence can be experienced several different ways, like the 'filling' or 'baptism' of the Holy Spirit through the laying of hands (Acts 8:18). And I think the following verses may be relevant: Acts 2:4, Ephesians 5:18, and Galatians 5:16

That's primarily why I'm charismatic One brother laid hands on me and prayed over me that the Holy Spirit would literally fill me up and that's exactly what happened. In fact the presence of the Spirit of God was so strong I fell over! The next thing I know I'm experiencing the most incredible peace and I literally felt 100 pounds lighter =)

And just 2 days ago I met up with some old high school friends. We got together and had a little prayer meeting. When we prayed together God's presence was so strong! And it reminds me of Matthew 18:20, which says:

For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them (Matt 18:20)

It was incredible!! =) I have yet to experience the Eucharist, but I'm glad that I can still experience God in these ways =)

Some people say that Jesus literally and physically appears before people's lives. I wonder what kind of experience that must be like =)

Stephen apparently 'saw' Jesus and heaven was opened (Acts 7:55-57) (and what's interesting is that Stephen was also filled with the Spirit) And it looks as if Jesus somehow appeared as a bright light to Saul (Acts 9:1-5). I get some impression that such experiences like that must be incredible =)

Anyone have opinions on all this? Please do share =)

God bless you all!!

-Jason

Originally posted by isshinwhat
Bless you, too, Jason, and glad to hear from you again! The Presence of God is definately all around us. He visits us in the smile of a child, the hug of a close friend, the majesty of a sunset, in a cool glass of water on a summer afternoon... I feel the love of God near me almost always, and when I don't feel it, I take comfort in knowing He's there though I can't *feel* it then.

As for the presence of God in the Eucharist, as you know, we believe the bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ: the same Christ who though He died, is now alive and is seated in Heaven with the Father. It is this life that we experience in a special way in Communion, but a life that we began to partake in at our Baptism and that was strengthened by the laying on of hands/anointing at our Confirmation. Communion helps us grow in strength, it guides us and feeds us through our sanctification.

Christ, who allows us to participate in a very special way in His death and resurrection through Baptism, allows this same special gift of participation ever more fully in His life through the Eucharist.

Paul says that those who take this gift unworthily will suffer the consequences. It isn't only bread that they would take lightly, it is the body of our Lord that was given up for us; and that is blasphemy.



Paul took this gift very seriously. Another series of passages would be those around John 6:50. This is where Jesus gives his discourse aobut the reality of His body and blood at communion. Some point to John 6:63 as reason to take His words symbolically. I just can't see Jesus talking about His flesh here. "The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit[5] and they are life." If it were His flesh which of no account, wouldn't we all be in trouble! I believe that He is telling His disciples, many of whom just left Him over this very teaching we are discussing, that they need to stop looking at things as they did before and move into a deeper realm of faith where they can truly grow.

God bless, Jason, and I hope this helped.

Neal

Click to expand...

Hi Neal,

Sorry for the delay, but thank you VERY MUCH!! One of these days I think I'll spend time studying the Eucharist. Would you recommend any books on this particular topic? (hopefully it isn't long and boring =P)

Also, are you in Teterboro now? Just curious

God bless!

-Jason