Catholic East Texas: Vol. 31 Issue 2

MAKE ALL THINGS NEW IN THE LIVES OF SICK AND RETIRED PRIESTS

“The people of the Diocese of Tyler are very generous to their priests. Since my illness, I have experienced firsthand how generous our brothers and sisters are in this Diocese.

Family conference ad

With faith, I am looking forward to a new body at the resurrection.”

IN LOVING MEMORY OF FATHER EFREN NAÑO 1957-2018 Eternal rest grant to him, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

DIO C E SE OF T Y L E R . ORG / A P P E A L

VOLUME 31 • ISSUE 2 • SPRING 2018

4 THE REAL PRESENCE: CHRIST IN THE EUCHARIST Bishop Strickland exhorts us to let our belief in the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist transform our lives.

31 OUR CATHOLIC SCHOOLS The Diocese of Tyler has four Catholic schools with a mission to be unabashedly Catholic. 48 6 10 15 20 26 28 30 32

TO REKINDLE OUR AMAZEMENT

THE CATECHISM AND THE EUCHARIST

THE DOCTRINE OF TRANSUBSTANTIATION

Most Reverend Joseph E. Strickland, Bishop of Tyler Luke Heintschel

Dr. David Tamisiea

SCRIPTURE AND THE EUCHARIST

66 68

THE BENEFITS OF THE TAX-ADVANTAGED CRT

UNABASHEDLY CATHOLIC: TO KNOW, TO LOVE, AND TO SERVE JESUS CHRIST

Robin Perry

34 38 42 44 46

SPOTLIGHT ON OUR SCHOOLS ADMIRING HIS HANDIWORK

LA DOCTRINA DE TRANSUBSTANCIACIÓN

Dr. David Tamisiea

LAS ESCRITURAS Y LA EUCARISTÍA

Luke Heintschel

LA INTERCESIÓN DE LOS SANTOS CATÓLICO SIN VERGÜENZA: PARA CONOCER, AMAR, Y SERVIR A JESUCRISTO

Robin Perry

PRAYERS OF THE SAINTS

Amanda Martinez Beck

Mark Henry, East Texas Catholic Foundation

EL CATECISMO Y LA EUCARISTÍA

Luke Heintschel

Amanda Martinez Beck

Luke Heintschel

A TIMELINE OF THE EUCHARIST

REAVIVAR NUESTRO ASOMBRO

Reverendísimo Joseph E. Strickland, Obispo de Tyler

NUESTRAS ESCUELAS CATÓLICAS ARDIENDO DENTRO DE NOSTROS

una entrevista con Padre Jesse Arroyave

SOBREVIVIENDO EN LAS MISAS: PORQUE VALE LA PENA TRAER A MISA A SUS NIÑOS PEQUEÑOS

Deanna Johnston

OUT OF CONFUSION, INTO TRUTH

Most Reverend Joseph E. Strickland, Obispo de Tyler

an interview with Dr. Stacy Trasancos

BURNING WITHIN US

an interview with Fr. Jesse Arroyave

JESUS AND THE JEWISH ROOTS OF THE EUCHARIST

a book review by Father Matthew Stehling

SURVIVING THE MASSES: WHY BRINGING YOUR SMALL CHILDREN TO MASS IS WORTH IT

Deanna Johnston

I am with you always oil on canvas by Robert Puschautz. Robert lives in Tyler with his wife Camille and their son Jude.

CORPUS CHRISTI

OUR FAITH IN THE EUCHARIST • NUESTRA FE EN LA EUCARISTÍA

JUNE 2, 2018

SACRED HEART CATHOLIC CHURCH 2508 APPLEBY SAND ROAD NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS

1:00 PM IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SCRIPTURES: THE EUCHARIST AND THE OLD TESTAMENT LUKE HEINTSCHEL, MA

SEGÚN LAS ESCRITURAS: LA EUCARISTÍA Y EL ANTIGUO TESTAMENTO P. JOHN HENAO, STL

1:45 PM ADORO TE DEVOTE: THE EUCHARISTIC HYMNS OF ST. THOMAS AQUINAS FR. JOSHUA NEU, SSL

LA EUCARISTÍA: FUENTE Y CUMBRE DE LA VIDA CRISTIANA P. JESSE ARROYAVE

2:30 PM BREAK 3:00 PM THE EUCHARIST: THE SOURCE AND SUMMIT OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE DR. STACY TRASANCOS, PHD

ADORO TE DEVOTE: LOS HIMNOS EUCARÍSTICOS DE SAN TOMÁS DE AQUINO P. JOSHUA NEU, SSL

4:00 PM EUCHARISTIC ADORATION AND CONFESSION 5:00 PM MASS AND EUCHARISTIC PROCESSION WITH BISHOP STRICKLAND

HUNGRY FOR JESUS AMANDA MARTINEZ BECK MANAGING EDITOR

ave you ever been around a fussy child who

money was tight. And week after week, I am fed

calms down as soon as they are given something

with the precious Body and Blood of our Lord.

to eat? As the mother of four young children, I have

learned the hard way that kids get “hangry” very easily, because they don’t understand what hunger

long between taking the Eucharist. His flesh is

grocery store with my son and he is hungry, all he

true food and his blood is true drink, and when I

really knows is that his belly doesn’t feel good; if he

partake of the Eucharist, God feeds me with himself.

doesn’t get his way, it quickly becomes a meltdown

on aisle three. The solution? Feed him something! t’s not really that different from experiencing

ust like our children have to be taught how to identify their hunger pains so that they can get fed

what they need, so our friends, family, and neighbors

hunger as an adult; we get restless, frustrated, and

need to know that Jesus is waiting to feed them

might even throw a fit of our own and snap at our loved

his own body and blood in the Blessed Sacrament.

ones. This is true in our physical bodies and also in our

spiritual lives. If we don’t recognize our own hunger for God, we might feel aimless, upset, or hopeless.

young son, I get weary and easily distracted

from the task at hand. It is the same when I go too

feels like and how they can solve it. If I’m in the

f I go too long between meals, just like my

his issue of the Catholic East Texas is a wonderful resource about the Blessed Sacrament. Read it,

live it, and share it, so that we can bring Jesus to the

ne of the biggest reasons that I was drawn

hungry. May we learn to recognize our own hunger for

to the Catholic Church was its commitment

Christ and help our children and neighbors to do the

to feed God’s people, body and soul. I have gotten

same, that we may all be fed by our Lord through his

a basket of food from my local parish when

body and blood, soul and divinity, in the Eucharist. †

Catholic East Texas (USPS 001726) is a publication of the Catholic Diocese of Tyler, 1015 ESE Loop 323, Tyler, Texas 75701-9663. Telephone: 903-534-1077. Fax: 903-534-1370. E-mail: news@catholiceasttexas.com. ©2018 Diocese of Tyler. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: CET Subscriptions, 1015 ESE Loop 323, Tyler, TX 75701-9663

VOLUME 31 • ISSUE 2 SPRING 2018 Publisher Most Rev. Joseph E. Strickland Bishop of Tyler Chaplain and Executive Editor Father Matthew Stehling Communications Director Ben Fisher ben@catholiceasttexas.com Managing Editor Amanda Martinez Beck Layout and Design Creative Jay

Published four times per year. Periodical postage paid at Tyler, Texas, and additional mailing office. Subscription is $20 per year. Please contact executive editor for advertising rates, deadlines, and information. The publisher and editor reserve the right to reject, omit or edit any article or letter submitted for publication. The Diocese of Tyler and/or the Catholic East Texas cannot be held liable or in any way responsible for the content of any advertisement printed herein. All claims, offers, guarantees, statements, etc., made by advertisers are solely the responsibility of the advertiser. Deceptive or misleading advertising is never knowingly accepted. Complaints regarding advertising should be made directly to the advertiser or the Better Business Bureau. All registered parishioners in the Diocese of Tyler receive the Catholic East Texas magazine for free. If you are a member of a parish or mission in the Diocese and you are not receiving your free subscription to the magazine, please contact your parish/mission or complete this form so that we may add you to our mailing list: http://cetmag.org/cetsubscribe

The Diocese of Tyler is committed to providing a safe environment for children and vulnerable adults. Please report any questions or concerns about the behavior of church personnel to the diocesan Promoter of Justice, 903-266-2159, promoter@dioceseoftyler.org, or 903-939-1037 (fax). All communications are confidential. The State of Texas requires that any suspicions of abuse of a minor be reported. Contact 800-252-5400.

WHAT WONDERFUL MAJESTY! O SUBLIME HUMILITY! THAT THE LORD OF THE WHOLE UNIVERSE, GOD AND THE SON OF GOD, SHOULD HUMBLE HIMSELF LIKE THIS UNDER THE FORM OF

A LITTLE BREAD,

FOR OUR SALVATION. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI

TO REKINDLE OUR AMAZEMENT MOST REVERENED JOSEPH E. STRICKLAND BISHOP OF TYLER

n this issue of the Catholic East Texas

People are used to hearing words like “invite”

magazine, our primary focus is on the

and “encourage” from their priests and bishops,

Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the

and certainly we do always invite and encourage

Holy Eucharist. As I write this, we are

everyone to come and see the goodness of God. However, I think the word demand also has a place

journeying through Lent, anticipating the passion,

in our discourse in the Church. As Bishop, I demand

death, and resurrection of the Lord at the Triduum.

that we take the Real Presence more seriously

You will read it after Easter, when life has returned

than we ever have. This is vital for every one of us.

to “normal,” and for most Catholics things will not be very dramatic again until Christmas. Within

In this special section of the Catholic East Texas

a month of this issue being published, ordinary

are several excellent resources to teach us and

time begins again in the liturgical calendar,

strengthen us to know exactly what the Church

and we can all slip back into our routines.

teaches about the Real Presence, what we mean by

transubstantiation, how this teaching comes to us in Sacred Scripture, and how this teaching has been consistently proclaimed in the entire history of the Church. Please read each of these pieces. Together, they form a Handbook on the Real Presence that I want every Catholic in the Diocese to read.

Right? No. Absolutely not. We must wake up to the TRUTH that Jesus Christ comes to us, in His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity, at every single Mass. I am very concerned by what I see in the Catholic Church today. I have written before, in the Constitution

TO REKINDLE OUR AMAZEMENT

on Teaching, that I feel that a lack of belief in the

Real Presence is a primary problem we face in the

owever, it is not enough to read. We also must live in such a way as to strengthen

Church. We must ALL work to combat unbelief in our own lives, and to help others to come to

out faith in the Real Presence. When Pope

understanding of and belief in this great truth.

Saint John Paul II wrote his great letter on

the Eucharist, ECCLESIA DE EUCHARISTIA,

per year. We know, however, that we should

he wrote that we must work to “rekindle our

be doing both more frequently than that.

amazement” in the Eucharist. In his letter,

But,

he quoted the Second Vatican Council saying,

let’s

specific

–

the

actual

issue is that we are required to use the

“For the most holy Eucharist contains the

any time we are conscious of having committed a serious sin, before we can receive communion. If you are unsure how to recognize a serious sin, please use an examination of conscience or ask a priest to counsel you. Sacrament

Church's entire spiritual wealth: Christ himself, our passover and living bread. Through his own flesh, now made living and life-giving by the Holy Spirit, he offers life to men.” So, then, if we are believing Catholics, and we

Reconciliation

know in our minds that the Eucharist contains Jesus Christ Himself, and in the Eucharist He

SOMETIMES, WE DO NOT RECEIVE

gives us eternal life, then we rightly should be

f you are in Mass, and you are aware that you have not confessed a serious sin that you

amazed. So, why are we not always amazed?

committed, then do not receive communion.

I think we do not always live as if we are amazed. We must live out the truth that we

It’s time for all of us to examine ourselves and

believe and profess or it will become stale

ask, “When was the last time I refrained from

and lifeless. Our actions and choices must

receiving communion at Mass?” If we never

match what we profess. Hypocrisy is not

refrain, and receive at every single Mass, is it

compatible with Life in Christ. Therefore, we

because we are really faithful about avoiding

must all strive, and strive hard, to make our

serious sin and confessing our sins every

lives match our belief in the Real Presence.

single time before the next Mass? Or, is it

want

make

several

because we don’t take this teaching seriously?

simple

suggestions that will help us to do this.

If we don’t treat the Eucharist as holy—if we

CONFESS OUR SINS BEFORE WE RECEIVE

unworthily—then of course we will not be

e’ve all heard people go to

disrespect the Eucharist by receiving communion amazed and thankful about this gift. In fact, to receive the Eucharist without first confessing

the complaint: Few confession, but on

any serious sins, is to add another serious sin. Of course, living out this teaching is difficult. It’s

Sunday everyone goes forward and receives communion. teeth

Well,

this

because

Thankfully,

the

is, use

complaint fact, the

tough to stay in the pew when everyone else is

has

going forward, or to approach a priest or deacon

problem.

Sacrament

for only a blessing instead of the Eucharist.

We think, “Everyone is going to know that I

Reconciliation is becoming somewhat more

committed a serious sin.” This is one of those

popular once again, but we all need to ask

moments in life that we get to choose what is most

ourselves a tough question: Do I confess my

important to us. Am I more concerned with what

sins frequently enough? We are required to

other people think about me or my obedience

confess at least once per year, just as we are

to God? After we die, we will not be judged by

required to receive Communion at least once

other people. We will be judged by Jesus Christ.

Please, if you are conscious of an unconfessed sin

Blood. A single tiny drop spilled from the chalice,

in your life, abstain from receiving the Eucharist

or a single crumb from a host, is still the Body

and get to confession soon. If you live this way,

and Blood of Christ and must be treated as such.

you are treating the Eucharist with amazement,

This should help explain why, after communion,

as the tremendous and holy gift that it is.

the priest, deacon, and altar servers take such pains in cleansing all of the vessels used at

THE EUCHARIST IS NOT FAST FOOD!

Mass. Even the residue is consumed reverently,

and never just thrown away. So, when we

work. The Eucharist does not work this way.

When we receive the Body, if we receive on the

e live in a fast-paced world. We tend to eat our regular meals quickly,

receive the Body and Blood, we must be aware that we are not to lose even a tiny part of it.

always on the go so we can get back to our

hand, we should be extremely careful to make

What we are specifically doing at Mass is being

sure that no particles remain on our hands. We

taken out of the world. We are, at least once a week, in God’s house, as God’s family gathered together. The Mass is both the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, re-presented on the altar, and it is a family meal in which we receive Jesus Christ. It is a tremendously special occasion.

should literally look at our hands after we receive communion, and if we see a crumb or particle on our hand, we should reverently consume it. We should also recognize that the Church gives us options for receiving the Body of Christ. We can also receive the Eucharist on the tongue.

We should never be in a hurry to simply “be

Now, many Catholics alive today are not used

done” with Holy Mass. We should, as individuals

to this, and many people have not been trained

and as a community, take the time and care

to do this properly. However, this is a good and

necessary to show proper respect to Jesus Christ, present in the Mass in so many ways.

reverent option for the reception of the Body of

So,

rekindle

SLOW

to explain the proper way to receive on the

come

our

DOWN. forward

Amazement, Don’t to

Christ. Do not hesitate to ask a priest or deacon

want

rush.

When

receive

Jesus

tongue. If you are moved by your conscience to choose this option, learn how to do it correctly.

Christ, let’s never be so hurried that we are

unable

show

proper

Most importantly, we should recognize that

reverence.

no matter what option we choose to receive the Body of Christ, it is up to us, personally,

RECEIVE THE EUCHARIST REVERENTLY AND CAREFULLY

to receive reverently. We must think about what we are doing. We must ask ourselves:

s a priest who has given communion to tens of thousands of Catholics, I have

How can I receive communion more reverently, given the options the Church offers me?

seen many variations in how people receive the Body and Blood of Christ. Some of these

Likewise, when we receive the Blood, we

variations are not good. They are not fitting

should handle the chalice slowly and carefully,

for receiving the amazing gift of the Body and

taking great pains not to spill. If any of the

Blood of the Son of God. This is a primary way

precious Blood is spilled, there is a specific

that we live out our faith in the Real Presence.

procedure for cleaning it that is reverent and

Firstly, we must realize that even the tiniest part

proper. We should always treat the elements

of the Body or Blood of Jesus is still that Body or

of the Eucharist with the utmost respect. In

SPEND TIME WITH JESUS

doing so, we are living out our belief, and opening

ourselves

that

amazement.

f we believe that Jesus is really present in the Holy Eucharist, then that means that He is

WE ALWAYS RECEIVE THE ENTIRE JESUS

present in the tabernacle of your local Church.

You

health reasons. Sometimes, this causes people

tabernacle, there is a red light or candle

ometimes, the chalice of the Blood of Christ may not be available at a given

can

sometimes

Mass. This is often true during flu season, for

distress, and some people feel as if they are

every

and

should

talk

Church

which

Catholic

drop

by Him. has

near the tabernacle. It remains lit whenever

missing out on something vital in these cases.

Jesus Christ is present in that tabernacle. That small, quiet light is a reminder that

However, the Church teaches that whether

Jesus

it is the Body or the Blood, in fact, it is the whole of the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity

Christ

waiting

there

for

you.

Many of our parishes have Eucharistic Adoration

of Jesus Christ. We should not worry if we

on a schedule for people to come and pray in the

receive only under one kind at Mass. Either

presence of Jesus Christ, and this is wonderful. I

the Body or the Blood is the entire Jesus.

highly encourage all Catholics to spend time in organized Eucharistic Adoration when they can.

SAY THANK YOU

However, I also encourage Catholics to just

fter we receive Holy Communion, what should we do? Go back to our pew and

stop by the Church and say hello to Jesus. Say a short prayer. Ask for help with some

daydream? No. We should thank God for

problem of the day. But, also, acknowledge

the gift of His Son. We should spend time

His presence there with you. We should ask

in prayer and reflection about the Body and

ourselves this question: When was the last

Blood of Christ we just received. We should

time I prayed in front of the Blessed Sacrament

be amazed at just how much God loves us.

and acknowledged that Jesus is present there?

It is for this reason that many of our parishes give

If we live our lives amazed at the great gift

us some quiet time after communion. I know that

God gives us in the Holy Eucharist, then we

it’s easy for our minds to wander to what we’ll do

will be living out our belief. Our interior

once we’re out of Mass, or to dwell on something

commitment to the Faith will be matched

else, but this is prime time for talking to God.

to our behavior. Our lives will become a

With the Body and Blood of His Son within us, we can and should feel a special connection to

witness, not just to others, but to ourselves.

Him. Use this time for prayer and thanksgiving.

YES, we really believe that Jesus Christ is

Use

this

time

rekindle

amazement.

truly present in the Eucharist. YES, you can see it in how we act and how we worship.

In the future, the parishes of the Diocese

YES, we are amazed at how good God is to us.

will focus on giving extra opportunity for this

quiet

prayer,

and

encouraging

Ask yourself this question:

this. If we believe that we have just received valuable,

What can I do to personally re-kindle my

and important, then we will give thanks.

amazement at the gift of the Real Presence?

something

extremely

special,

THE CATECHISM AND THE EUCHARIST LUKE HEINSTCHEL, M.A.

WHAT DOES THE CATECHISM

great gift which had been given to

The Catechism is separated out

TEACH ABOUT THE EUCHARIST?

me. Having rolled my eyes, I kept

into numbered paragraphs, so I’ll

it, only much later to find out just

be focusing on paragraphs 1322-

how wonderful this gift was. Still

1419. Before I get there, though,

to this day, I use that original copy

it’s

given to me by my confirmation

about what a sacrament is. In

teacher. The Catechism is available

paragraph 1131, we read that, “The

for free online, but I highly

sacraments are efficacious signs

recommend getting a hard copy

of grace, instituted by Christ and

of your own. Read it, highlight

entrusted to the Church, by which

it,

divine life is dispensed to us.” That

ast

year,

Bishop

Strickland declared, “The Diocese of Tyler will be a teaching diocese.” And twenty-five years before that, Pope John Paul II declared in his promulgation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church: “I declare [the Catechism of the Catholic Church] to be a sure norm for teaching the faith” (Fidei Depositum 4). Thus, if we are to become a teaching diocese, the Catechism ought to be “a sure norm” for our lives in this diocese.

annotate

it,

and

learn

it.

The Catechism is an amazing work.

scripture, the the

the

saints,

official

saturated

centuries.

talk

briefly

can be a bit difficult to understand, so

let

break

down:

Efficacious signs of grace: This means that the sacraments are

throughout

symbols of grace we receive. But

can

seem

they are not merely symbols.

can

Most symbols don’t have a real

amount

effect outside of merely signifying

the

teachings

Church’s

teachings

and

with

important

I first encountered the Catechism

intimidating,

but

of the Catholic Church when I

conjure

was a teenager. My confirmation

of courage and open it up, the

something.

teacher gave all in my class a copy

riches

are

company’s logo does not actually

of this huge green book. It was

bountiful. In this article, I’d like

make the company present. It

too thick for a young immature

to summarize what the Catechism

merely points to the company. The

boy like myself to understand the

has to say on the Holy Eucharist.

sacraments are symbols which

just

contained

if small

therein

For

example,

actually have an effect. They

By which divine life is dispensed

cross

effect what they symbolize. For

to us: It is through the sacraments

but through the Eucharist, it is

the Eucharist, that means that it

that we receive God’s very life,

made present here and now. It

is symbolic Jesus’ sacrifice on the

sometimes called “grace.” This

fills us with grace (that is, God’s

cross, but it’s not only a symbol,

is most true for the Eucharist.

life) and is a foretaste of our

it actually is the sacrifice of

Jesus himself said, “He who eats

future home in heaven with God.

Christ. That’s why the Catechism

my flesh and drinks my blood

goes on to say, “The visible rites

has eternal life” (Jn 6:54). St.

by which the sacraments are

Peter wrote that in the Christian

celebrated

life we become “partakers of

present each

signify

the

and

graces

sacrament”

make

proper (CCC

1131).

Instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church: The Church didn’t make

these

things

up.

Jesus

the divine nature” (2 Peter 2:4).

these

paragraphs,

II,

one-time

Catechism saying,

quotes

“The

event,

Vatican

Eucharist

‘the source and summit of the Christian life’” (CCC 1324). This means that we get our strength to live as Christians from the

CCC 1322-1327 n

The

was

introductory the

Catechism

teaches us that the Eucharist

Eucharist, and the Eucharist is the high point of our lives. Too often we don’t see it that way. It’s very common not to think much

himself instituted each sacrament

is the completion of Christian

and gave it to the Church. Jesus

initiation. Every time we receive

instituted the Eucharist at his

Holy Communion, we are more

last supper, on the night before

fully initiated into the Church. We

he died. In every mass we recall

participate with the whole church

this fact. We hear the priest at

community

mass say, “On the day before he

Jesus gave us the Eucharist to

St.

was to suffer, he took bread in

perpetuate the sacrifice of the

of thinking is attuned to the

his holy and venerable hands…”

cross throughout the ages. The

Eucharist, and the Eucharist in

Jesus’

sacrifice.

of the Eucharist when we receive. But every time we do, we are participating in the “culmination” of what God the Father sent his Son to earth to accomplish. Irenaeus

said,

“Our

way

turn confirms our way of thinking.” The Eucharist

Jesus elevates and transforms these (and other) Old

is also an intellectual aspect of our faith. By uniting

Testament symbols in his miracles, most especially

us to Christ, it actually strengthens our faith in Him.

the miracle of the Eucharist. But the Eucharist is not an easy thing to accept or understand. Jesus’ teaching

CCC 1328-1332

on the Eucharist in John 6 divides the disciples

n this section, the Catechism explains why

into two camps: those who believe, and those who

this

abandon Jesus. Let us never be in that second group.

Sacrament

called

what

it’s

called.

There’s more than one name for the Eucharist; in

fact,

there

are

many.

I’ll

explain

When Jesus celebrated his last supper and

few:

instituted the Eucharist, he did so on

Eucharist: This title comes from the Greek word

Passover. The Catechism states that

eucharistein

“Jesus gave the Jewish Passover

which

means

“thanksgiving.”

This

sacrament is our thanksgiving to God.

its definitive meaning.” He

Lord’s Supper: This title comes from when Jesus

this in memory” of him.

instituted it: at the Last Supper.

Jesus

told his disciples to “do established

the

Eucharist as a way for

Breaking of Bread: This title was used by the first

us to remember his

Christians (see Acts 2:42).

sacrifice by making

The Holy Sacrifice: The Eucharist actually makes

it really present long

present Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.

after he had died, risen,

Holy Communion: In this sacrament, we are united

and

gone

back to the Father.

to Christ and to each other by “communing” in his

CCC 1345-1355

sacrifice and consuming his body and blood.

aragraph 1345 of

Holy Mass: This refers to the whole liturgy in which

the Catechism gives

we receive the Eucharist. It comes from the Latin word

us a view into the earliest

missio which means “sending forth.” The Eucharist

years of the Church. Compare

strengthens us as we are sent forth into the world.

what it says in that paragraph

CCC 1333-1344

with what Mass at your church

looks like. They’re nearly identical!

The Church cites a story in Genesis 14, where the

The rest of this section details the specific order

priest-king Melchizedek offers a sacrifice of bread

of the Mass. One important take-away is that the

and wine. In other parts of the Old Testament,

liturgy is divided into two main parts: the Liturgy

bread and wine are offered as a sign of thanksgiving

of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. In

to the God who created us. The Exodus provides

the Liturgy of the Word, we focus on God’s written

a new significance to bread and wine; they are

word. We hear it proclaimed, and then the priest (or

connected to the Passover feast, the miraculous

deacon) offers a reflection usually based off of the

ere we find some explanations of the bread

Already just about 100 years after Christ’s

and wine. The Catechism teaches that the

death the mass looked just like it looks to this day.

bread and wine become Christ’s body and blood.

manna in the wilderness, and the Promised Land.

readings. In the Liturgy of the Eucharist, the Word

What Jesus began at the last supper and completed on

is made present through Jesus’ presence on the altar.

the cross is make present in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. In this sacrament, our own lives, our praises,

Both of these parts form one single act of worship,

sufferings, prayer, and work are united to those of

according to the Catechism. Similarly, in Luke 24:13-

Christ. Our lives and works take on new and greater

35, Jesus explains scripture to his disciples, and then

value in that they are united to the life of Christ.

celebrates the Eucharist with them. In receiving the sacrament, their eyes are opened to see the Truth.

Since Christ is present in this sacrament, so too are all the angels and saints in heaven. Christ doesn’t

CCC 1356-1383

leave heaven to be on our altars. Rather, he brings the

heaven with him. When the priest celebrates the

Catechism, the Church teaches us

Mass, even if he is alone, he is never alone. The Holy

that the Eucharist is three things:

Trinity and all of heaven is there with him. At every

these

paragraphs

Mass, the saints and angels are there worshiping

Thanksgiving and praise to the

with us. When we enter into the Mass, we enter

Father

into heaven. This is where heaven and earth meet.

The sacrificial memorial of

Since Jesus is God, he has the Divine nature. Since

Christ and his Body

he is fully man, he also has a body and soul. In the

The presence of Christ by

Eucharist, all those facets of him are present: Body,

the power of his word and

Blood, Soul, and Divinity. Quoting the Council of Trent, the Catechism explains: “In the most blessed

of his Spirit.

sacrament of the Eucharist ‘the body and blood,

In nearly every culture

together with the soul and divinity, of our Lord

throughout time, people have prayers

offered of

thanksgiving god(s).

Jesus

Jesus Christ and, therefore, the whole Christ is truly,

sacrifices,

praise, to instituted

really, and substantially contained’” (CCC 1374).

and their

The

Catechism

also

explains

the

term

the

“transubstantiation.” It says that the substance of

Eucharist to be that sacrifice

bread is changed into the substance of the body

of thanks and praise to the one

of Christ our Lord. That means that even though

true God. Since it is truly his body

it looks, feels, and tastes like normal bread, it is

and blood, it also serves as a reminder

not bread at all. It is Christ himself. Because of

of his sacrifice on the cross. It’s not merely

this, we can actually worship the Eucharist. As

a reminder, though. It reminds us of his sacrifice

Catholics, we worship God alone. We hold no other

by actually making his sacrifice present here and

gods or idols before him. We can’t even worship the

now. The Catechism cites Hebrews 7:25-27, saying,

saints! But because the Eucharist is God himself, it

“In the New Testament, the memorial takes on

is fitting for us to worship him in this sacrament.

new meaning. When the Church celebrates the

The truth that it is really Jesus and not bread or wine

Eucharist, she commemorates Christ’s Passover, and

cannot be understood through human reason alone.

it is made present: the sacrifice Christ offered once for all on the cross remains ever present” (CCC 1364).

No amount of scientific study of the consecrated bread

“The sacrifice of Christ on the cross and the sacrifice

microscope. The Catechism cites St. Thomas Aquinas

of the Eucharist are one single sacrifice” (CCC 1367).

in explaining that we can only know this by faith.

and wine could show us that. It doesn’t glow under a

CCC 1384-1390

of that for you. The Catechism teaches that Holy

Communion separates us from sin. It also helps us to

e are invited by Christ himself to come to

love. Holy Communion helps us to love both God and

communion (Jn 6:53), and in order to respond

neighbor better. The Eucharist also binds us to one

to this invitation, we must prepare ourselves.

another. St. Augustine calls it the “bond of charity.”

We must make an examination of conscience before

The Eucharist is also a foretaste of heaven. As I said

receiving. If we have committed any mortal sin, we

above, we receive all of heaven when we receive

must not receive communion. So many folks don’t

the Eucharist. The Catechism explains: “There

understand this, but it is so important! Receiving

is no surer pledge or clearer sign of this great

communion while in a state of mortal sin is a sin!

hope in the new heavens and new earth ‘in which

St. Paul explains this in 1 Corinthians 11:27-29. This

righteousness dwells,’ than the Eucharist” (CCC 1405).

is why Jesus gave us the Sacrament of Confession.

CCC 1406-1419

Even if we haven’t committed a mortal sin since

his section is a summary of all the above

our last confession, we still aren’t worthy to receive

paragraphs.

him. That’s why we echo the words of Matthew

8:8 before receiving— “Lord, I am not worthy that

topic

you should come under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.” The Church

per

year

(during

the

whole

Eucharist,

cannot

commit

Catechism at

least

on turn

this here.

bread which came down from heaven. When we

Days of Obligation, but only requires us to receive once

the

you

The Eucharist is Christ himself. It is the living

requires us to go to mass every Sunday and on Holy communion

reading

eat it, we have eternal life and communion in the

Easter

Holy Trinity. It is the heart and summit of the

season). We are encouraged to go to mass and receive

Church’s life.

communion as often as possible (even daily!), but

always

we must not receive if we’re in a state of mortal sin.

The celebration of this sacrament

includes

reading

scripture,

thanksgiving

and praise of God, the consecration of bread and

CCC 1391-1405

wine,

and

communion.

These

different

elements form one single act of worship. It is

his section of the Catechism teaches us “the

the greatest act of worship we can offer to God.

fruits of Holy Communion;” in other words,

THE CATECHISM CONCLUDES THIS SECTION OF

what we get out of it. The most important thing

TEACHINGS OF THE EUCHARIST WITH THIS:

we get out of it is an intimate union with Christ. Some folks think that Catholics don’t have a

Having passed from this world to the Father,

personal relationship with Jesus. In reality, there

Christ gives us in the Eucharist the pledge

nothing

with

him

personal

than

receiving

our

Holy

relationship Communion!

glory

with

him.

Participation

the

Holy Sacrifice identifies us with his Heart, sustains our strength along the pilgrimage of

In our natural lives, we eat food to stay alive. It gives

this life, makes us long for eternal life, and

us life. The Eucharist does this for our spiritual lives.

unites us even now to the Church in heaven,

It preserves, increases, and renews the life of grace

the Blessed Virgin Mary, and all the saints.

received at Baptism. Just as natural food strengthens us to do things with our bodies, this spiritual food

The Catechism is a fantastic source for the teachings of

strengthens us to avoid sin. It also wipes away any

God and his Church. For us in the Diocese of Tyler, the

venial sins from our souls. That’s why you don’t

Catechism is especially important, since it is the ‘sure

necessarily need to always confess venial sins. You

norm’ for teaching the faith. Let us all remember these

should go to confession for venial sins, but you

teachings, pass them to our children, and so come

don’t necessarily need to. The Eucharist takes care

to love God more deeply. Our lives depend on it! †

THE DOCTRINE OF TRANSUBSTANTIATION DAVID A. TAMISIEA, J.D., PH.D.

CHRIST: REALLY PRESENT atholics believe as a matter of faith that Jesus Christ is really

Now there are other ways in which

Catholics also believe that Christ

Jesus Christ makes himself present

begins to be really, truly, and

to us. Christ is mysteriously present

substantially

in the person of an ordained priest,

Eucharist during the Holy Sacrifice

present

the

in the Word of God proclaimed in

of the Mass. During the Eucharistic

present “body, blood,

Sacred Scripture, in the people

Prayer, the priest elevates the host

soul, and divinity” in the Eucharist.

of God assembled together for

of bread and says, “Take this, all

The Church refers to this as the

worship, in a group of two or

of you, and eat of it: for this is my

Real Presence of Christ in the

more believers gathered together

body which will be given up for

Eucharist. This presence of Jesus

to pray in his name, and in the

you,” and then elevates the chalice

Christ in the Eucharist is called

poor, suffering, and marginalized.

of wine and says, “Take this, all of

“real” not to mean that Christ is

Because

you, and drink from it: for this is

some manner in these things,

the chalice of my blood, the blood

Catholics are obliged to treat them

of the new and eternal covenant,

with great honor and respect.

which will be poured out for you

But Catholics do not worship the

and for many for the forgiveness

Bible, a group of worshippers, or

of sins. do this in memory of

a poor person, since Christ is not

me.” At the very moment when

substantially

the priest completes the words of

not present to us in other ways, but rather to indicate that he is present in the Eucharist in the fullest sense. Christ’s presence in the Eucharist is a substantial presence by which Christ, true God and true man, is wholly and entirely present (Catechism of the Catholic Church

Christ

present

them.

Only in the Eucharist is Jesus

consecration,

Catholics

believe

Christ present in the fullest sense.

that Jesus Christ begins to be

1374). The Church’s use of the term

Catholics, therefore, worship the

really present in the Eucharist.

“substantial” is meant to indicate

Most Blessed Eucharist because

What used to be ordinary wheat

that the full reality of Jesus Christ

Jesus

truly,

bread and grape wine is now Jesus

is contained in the Eucharist.

and substantially present in it.

Christ sacramentally present in

Christ

really,

the Eucharist. If only we had a visual to assist us, it

a storm, multiplied a few loaves and a few fish to feed

would look something like a lightning bolt striking

thousands, and rose from the dead, could without a

the host of bread and chalice of wine at the words

doubt exercise that same divine power to work through

of consecration changing them immediately into

the priest to transform bread and wine into the

the body and blood, soul and divinity, of our Lord

Eucharist. That Christ could do this is unassailable.

Jesus Christ. But God asks more of us than that: He

But how does it happen? The Church Fathers attest

wants us to believe in Christ’s real presence in the

to the fact that when the priest says the words of

Eucharist by faith. As St. Thomas Aquinas remarks,

consecration, the power of God works to change

“The presence of Christ’s true body and blood in

the bread and wine into the body and blood

this sacrament cannot be detected by sense, nor

of Christ. St. John Chrysostom

understanding, but by faith alone, which rests upon

taught, “It is not the power of

Divine authority” (Summa theologiae III, q. 75, a. 1).

man which makes what is put

Only a validly ordained priest can consecrate the

before us the Body and Blood of

Eucharist: Christ conferred this sacred function

Christ, but the power of

upon the Apostles as his first priestly ministers

Christ

(and all priests since then) when he commanded

was crucified for us.

them: “Do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19).

The

The priest acts in persona Christi (“in the person

there in the place of

of Christ”) when he repeats our Lord’s words of

Christ says these words, but

institution at the Last Supper to consecrate the

their power and grace

Eucharist. Christ by the power of God makes use of

are from God. ‘This is

the priest as a kind of living instrument to change

My Body,’ he says, and

the bread and wine into his body and blood. We

these words transform

believe by faith that before the priest says the words

what

of consecration there is only wheat bread and grape

him” (De Prodit. Iudae 1, 6).

wine, but after the words of consecration there

While the Church in the first

is Christ, substantially present in the Eucharist,

millennium uniformly believed

under the mere appearance of bread and wine.

in the real presence of Christ

Himself priest

lies

who

standing

before

in the Eucharist, it had not yet

IS IT POSSIBLE?

fully developed its doctrine explaining the

hat Jesus Christ, the God-man, could do this

transformation that takes place to bring about

presents absolutely no problem whatsoever. The

the real presence. The Fathers used words like

all-powerful God who created the entire universe out

“change,” “transform,” “make,” and “convert” to

of nothing could certainly turn bread and wine into

describe the manner in which the bread and wine

the Eucharist: “You read concerning the making of

become the body and blood of Christ in the Eucharist.

the whole world: ‘He spoke and they were made, He

ARGUMENTS AND A NEW VOCABULARY

commanded and they were created.’ Surely the word

t was not until the eleventh century, when

of Christ, which could make out of nothing that which

Berengarius

did not exist, can change things already in existence

Tours

denied

that

any

real

change took place at the words of consecration,

into what they were not. For it is no less extraordinary to give things new natures than to change their

that the Church began to examine more closely this

natures” (St. Ambrose, De Mysteriorum 52). Christ

transformation. Berengarius was a French theologian

who turned water into wine, walked on water, calmed

who taught that the Eucharist was merely a symbol

or figure of the body and blood of Christ, that the

of the wine into the whole substance of Christ’s

words “This is my body” and “This is the cup of my

blood. This is a … substantial conversion … called

blood” were to be taken only in a metaphorical sense,

transubstantiation” (Summa theologiae III, q. 75,

and that the words of consecration did not really

a. 4). Moreover, says St. Thomas, even though the

cause the bread and wine to change into the body and

substance of bread and wine is converted into

blood of Christ. A council in Rome condemned his

the substance of Christ’s body and blood at the

teaching, and Berengarius was required to retract

consecration, “all the accidents of the bread and

his position and declare under oath that he

wine remain” (Summa theologiae III, q. 75, a. 5).

accepted the Church’s faith that at the words

THE

of consecration, the bread and wine placed

REFORMATION

AND

THE

CATHOLIC RESPONSE

on the altar are “substantially

changed into the true and

uring the

proper and life-giving body and

the sixteenth

Protestant century,

Reformation the

doctrine

in of

transubstantiation became a matter of controversy.

blood of Jesus Christ our Lord” (Council of Rome in 1079,

The Protestant Reformers uniformly rejected the

Oath of Berengarius).

doctrine of transubstantiation, even though they

time,

were not in agreement on the question of the real

Catholic theologians

presence of Christ in the Eucharist. There were three

in the twelfth century

main heretical positions (Luther, Calvin, Zwingli):

began regularly to use the

Martin Luther admitted the real presence of Christ

terms transsubstantiatio

in the Eucharist but rejected transubstantiation and

(“transubstantiation”)

taught that the substance of Christ’s glorified body and

After

this

and transsubstantiare

blood co-exists “in, with, and under” the substance

(“transubstantiate”)

of bread and wine. This is called “consubstantiation” and is still the official position of Lutheranism today.

to describe the actual change

wine

into

The

PROTESTANT

first

the

bread

the official

John Calvin denied Christ’s substantial presence in

and

the Eucharist and taught that Christ’s body and blood

Eucharist. use

are present in the Eucharist “virtually,” that is, by a

power proceeding from Christ in heaven that passes

the term by a pope was by

through the Eucharist to the faithful. This is analogous

Pope Innocent III in 1198, and

to the way Catholics recognize Christ’s power at work

then by an ecumenical council, the Fourth

through the Bible, even while denying his substantial

Lateran Council, in 1215. By the thirteenth

presence. Huldrych Zwingli regarded the Eucharist

century, the term “transubstantiation” became

as only a symbol or figure of Christ’s body and blood,

the standard theological term to describe the

and therefore completely rejected the real presence of

change. In the thirteenth century, for example, St.

Christ in the Eucharist. This is the most common view

Thomas Aquinas in his theological masterpiece, the

most Protestants have today. It is false with respect to

Summa theologiae, offered a classic formulation

the Eucharist, but it is actually true for them in their

of the doctrine of transubstantiation in terms of

own worship services since they do not have validly

the Aristotelian categories of being: substance and

ordained priests who can consecrate the Eucharist.

accidents. According to St. Thomas, at the words of consecration by the power of God, “the whole

Confronted by the challenge of the Reformers’

substance of the bread is changed into the whole

heretical teaching, the Council of Trent issued

substance of Christ’s body, and the whole substance

a Decree on the Most Holy Sacrament of the

Eucharist

offering

authoritative

Catholic

in its own right—e.g., a tree, a rock, a dog, a man.

teaching on the doctrine of transubstantiation:

Substance corresponds roughly with the nature or essence of a thing. A dog, for example, is essentially

Because Christ our Redeemer said that it was

the same thing, whether it is brown or black, small

truly his body that he was offering under

or large, standing or sitting. The dog exists in its own

the species of bread, there has always been

right and does not exist in something else. There are

complete conviction in the Church of God—

other categories of being referred to as “accidents.”

and so this holy council now declares it once

An accident can be defined as “that which exists

again—that, by the consecration of the bread

in another and not of itself.” Unlike a substance,

and wine, there takes place the change of the

accidents depend upon substances for their existence

whole substance of the bread into the substance

and operation. Color, size, weight, shape, and

of the body of Christ our Lord, and of the

position are all accidental categories of being found

whole substance of the wine into the substance

in substances. For example, the accidents “brown,”

of his blood. And the holy Catholic Church

“large,” and “sleeping” are real aspects of being, but

has suitably and properly called this change “transubstantiation.”

(Sess.

XIII,

cap.

not the same thing as the dog in which they inhere.

iv).

Substance and accidents go together. One never

Further, Trent taught that after the bread and wine

finds in this life on earth a substance without

have been converted into the body and blood of

accidents inhering in it, nor an accident that is not

Christ only the appearance or “species” of bread and

an accident of a substance. Every dog, for instance,

wine remains (Sess. XIII, can. 2). Moreover, Trent

has some color, size, shape, place, etc. Likewise,

declared that anyone who rejects transubstantiation

one would never find the accident “brown” or “tall”

and maintains that in the Eucharist the substance of

or “circular” existing independently of a substance.

bread and wine remain together with the body and

Rather, accidents are always found in a substance.

blood of Christ, or that Christ is only symbolically

Substances always appear to our senses through their

present in the Eucharist as in a sign or figure, or

accidents. While our minds can indirectly apprehend

that Christ is only present in the Eucharist by his

the substance of a thing, our senses directly perceive

power, that person is cut off from the Church because

only the thing’s accidents like its size, color, and

he does not profess the one true faith (Sess. XIII,

shape. The substance then is manifested to us

can. 1–2). The Council of Trent adopts St. Thomas’

through its accidents or the way it “appears” to us.

account of transubstantiation without necessarily endorsing every aspect of his use of the Aristotelian

There only two types of change in nature: accidental

categories of being to explain the doctrine. Trent’s

and substantial. In an accidental change, the

teaching summarizes the constant faith of the Church

substance remains unchanged but there is a change

in the doctrine of transubstantiation (CCC 1376).

in an inhering accident so that the thing assumes

PHILOSOPHY

HELPS

UNDERSTAND

a new appearance. For example, a man with a light

THE

complexion who goes out into the bright sun for a

DOCTRINE

time gets a sunburn. The man’s white-colored skin

ow are we to understand this teaching? It

changes into red-colored skin without there being

should first be noted that reality can be divided

any kind of substantial change in the man himself.

into two basic categories of being: substance and

He just appears differently due to the accidental

accidents. The term “substance” can be defined as

change. In a substantial change, there is a change

“that which exists primarily and of itself.” Substance

of one substance into another substance. As an

simply refers to a natural kind of thing that exists

example, if a man eats an apple, the entire substance

of the apple is changed into another substance as it is

but are sustained in existence by God’s power alone.

assimilated into the man. With a substantial change,

Catholics believe in this miraculous conversion of

because all the accidents inhere in the substance,

bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ by

when the substance changes so do the accidents.

faith in God’s revealed word as interpreted by the

When the man eats the apple, its accidents like color,

Church. This is a supernatural mystery beyond what

shape, taste, and texture also change, on account

our reason could grasp on its own, but it is not opposed

of the change of the substance in which they inhere.

to reason since we can gain some understanding of it.

AN UTTERLY UNIQUE CASE

If transubstantiation means that at the consecration

the bread is converted into Christ’s body and the wine

n every instance of substantial change in nature,

is converted into Christ’s blood, why do Catholics

the accidents also change. But, this is not the case

believe that the whole Christ is fully present in both

with the utterly unique case of transubstantiation.

species, “body, blood, soul, and divinity”? This

The doctrine of transubstantiation teaches that at

can be explained by the closely related doctrine of

the consecration the whole substance of the bread

concomitance. Christ is one indivisible being, so that

is changed into the substance of the body of Christ,

when the bread is converted into his body, the rest

and the whole substance of the wine is changed into

of his being follows including his blood, soul, and

the substance of the blood of Christ, but that the

divinity, so that the whole Christ becomes present.

accidents or “species” of bread and wine remain

Similarly, when the wine is converted into his blood,

unaffected and unchanged. The consecration changes

the rest of his being follows, including his body, soul,

only the substance, but our senses still perceive the accidents of bread and wine. What this means is that

and divinity. While transubstantiation only refers to

the Eucharist still appears to our senses as bread and

the change of the bread into the body of Christ and the

wine, even though by faith we believe it is the body and

wine into the blood of Christ, concomitance rounds

blood of Christ. Since the accidents of bread remain,

out our understanding by showing how the rest of

the Eucharistic body of Christ still appears to be white,

Christ follows, so that the whole Christ is really, truly,

round, and thin, and it tastes like bread. Likewise,

and substantially present in the Eucharist “body,

because the accidents of wine remain, the Eucharistic

blood, soul, and divinity.” As a practical matter,

blood of Christ still looks, smells and tastes like wine.

therefore, when Catholics receive the Eucharist

According to the common teaching of the Church, the

in Holy Communion under either the species of

accidents of bread and wine do not inhere in the body

bread or the species of wine, they can be confident

and blood of Christ or any other substance whatsoever

they are receiving Jesus Christ in his fullness. †

SCRIPTURE AND THE EUCHARIST LUKE HEINSTCHEL, M.A.

Author’s Note: When I was 19, I had a profound experience of the Lord in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. Before that point, I had believed in the Church’s teachings, but didn’t have the desire to allow them to change my life. Praying before the Blessed Sacrament, I realized that I needed to reform many aspects of my life in order to love God with my whole heart, soul, strength, and mind (Luke 10:27). This realization led me to pursue a Master’s degree in Biblical Theology, that I might truly love God with my whole mind. It is my hope that anyone who reads the following article might engage in a similar pursuit.

As you read, engage your mind and

follow along with Scripture. In this way, you can practice loving God with your whole mind.

esus is really present

turn to God’s Word to figure out

my class, at least remember to

the truth. Entire libraries could

open your Bible to John 6 for Jesus’

the

Eucharist.

scriptural

teaching on the Eucharist.” The

evidence for Jesus’ real presence

sixth chapter of John’s gospel is

believe

in the Eucharist. In this article,

paramount for our understanding

it. It’s the official teaching of the

I’d like to focus on only a few key

of Jesus’ real presence in the

Catholic Church, but studies show

texts, but we’ll make reference to some other important ones.

Eucharist.

that

That’s

obviously

bold statement; and many

Christians

many

don’t

Catholic

Christians

don’t even believe it! Why does the Catholic Church teach this controversial doctrine? Did the Church make it up? Is it merely a

filled

with

the

used

teach

home

teenagers

Bible and follow along as you read. The

following

happened

a symbol? In order to answer

Eucharist, I would tell them, “If

these questions, it is helpful to

you remember nothing else from

the

too long to reprint here, but I

parish about Scripture and the

metaphor? Is the Eucharist only

passage

recommend you open up your

JOHN 6 — PASSOVER, 32AD hen

The

around

Passover

one

crucifixion

events the

feast

year

before

Christ.

In John 6:1-15, we find John telling

them that he himself is the true

I shall give for the life of the

the story of the multiplication

bread from heaven (Jn 6:32-40).

world is my flesh.” (Jn 6:49-51)

of bread and fish.

Jesus “took”

At this point in the story Jesus

the loaves and “gave thanks”

is using “bread” and “eat” as a

(ĕucharistĕsas) before performing

metaphor for believing in him.

this miracle of bread and flesh

We must have faith in order to be

(the flesh of fish). In John 6:16-

fed by Christ, the bread of life.

21, we find Jesus proclaiming himself to be divine by walking on the sea. The Old Testament teaches

that

only

God

can

When the Jews doubt his heavenly origin

verses

41-42,

Jesus

responds by saying that they must

At this point, Jesus changes his rhetoric. No longer is he using

“bread” and “eat” as metaphor for believing in him. Belief is now

required

comprehend

the rest of his sermon.

The

Jews understand him switching gears, and even ask amongst themselves, “How can this man

walk on the sea (Job 9:1-11).

believe in him in order to have

Then, in John 6:22-34, the Jews

bread of life.” Then he makes his

Christ then clarifies, but not to

teaching more emphatic. He says,

say that he’s speaking in parable

who had eaten the bread which Jesus

multiplied

asked

him

eternal life.

He says, “I am the

give us his flesh to eat?” (Jn 6:52).

and metaphor. He says that we

for more miraculous bread (Jn

“Your fathers ate the manna in

6:30-31). They cite the story in

the wilderness, and they died.

the Old Testament when God

This is the bread which comes

rained miraculous bread down

down from heaven, that a man

from

heaven

Moses.

may eat of it and not die. I am

New Testament. He repeats this

They

were

Jesus

the living bread which came

teaching five times back to back in

will give them another miracle

down from heaven; if any one

just a few verses. Jesus is telling us

(and perhaps some more free

eats of this bread, he will live

that this is an important teaching.

food).

forever; and the bread which

He also switches his language.

through

hoping

that

Jesus responds by telling

must eat his flesh and drink his blood in order to have eternal life. Jesus then repeats himself more than anywhere else in the

Before, the Greek word for “eat” which Jesus was using

Jesus

basically translates to “eat.” Now, he’s using a more

must

graphic word which can mean “to gnaw or chew.” This

taught eat

his

that

his

followers

flesh

and

drink

his

literally blood.

Jesus allows them to leave, and then turns to his

word change indicates that he is no longer speaking in

closest disciples and asks if they were going to leave as

metaphor. We have to really eat his flesh. He says, “My

well, as if to say, I’m not going to budge on this issue.

flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink” (Jn 6:55).

Peter responds, not by saying that he understands the teaching, since it is mysterious and controversial,

In verses 60-65, Jesus then clarifies that it will be

but that he believes because of who Jesus is.

his resurrected body which we are to eat. He isn’t asking his followers to cannibalize him. Through

For the next year, Jesus had far fewer followers,

the power of the Spirit, we can eat his crucified,

and perhaps the few he retained were more than a

resurrected,

and

little confused. Exactly one year after this sermon,

entirely (without him having to die again). That’s

Jesus celebrated a special Passover feast with

why the Eucharist isn’t cannibalism: Jesus doesn’t

his disciples. It was on the night before he died.

and

ascended

flesh,

wholly

die when we consume him. Instead, he lives in us.

THE INSTITUTION NARRATIVE — PASSOVER, 33AD

back and no longer walked with him.” If Jesus were

speaking in metaphor, he would have corrected their

how he can mean what he said. One year later,

Finally, in John 6:66, we read that this teaching was

t the end of John 6, the few disciples who

so controversial that “many of his disciples drew

are left are in a state of confusion. Most of

them trust Jesus, but they don’t quite understand

misunderstanding. We know that’s what he would do

he gives them the solution to this confusion.

because that’s exactly what he did in Matthew 16:11-12.

Let’s look at the story of Jesus instituting the

No, Jesus did not correct their misunderstanding because

there

was

misunderstanding.

Matthew 26:26-29 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a chalice, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you; 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you I shall not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” 26

Eucharist. It happened during the Passover meal on the night before he died. Here’s what scripture tells us:

Mark 14:22-25

Luke 22:19-20

And as they were eating, he took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” 23 And he took a chalice, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. 24 And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. 25 Truly, I say to you, I shall not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” 22

And he took bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20 And likewise the chalice after supper, saying, “This chalice which is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.” 19

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also the chalice, after supper, saying, “This chalice is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the chalice, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 23

So here we have the same story from three Gospels

todah). The tôdâ was a sacrifice to God of praise and

and one from St. Paul. They all contain the same

thanksgiving. It was usually offered as a preemptive

basic story: Jesus identified unleavened bread and

thanks to God for bringing the person out of some kind

a chalice of wine as his body and blood. Scripture is

of trouble. Some of the Psalms are “thanksgiving”

emphatically teaching that the Eucharist is his body

psalms, and were meant to be sung while offering the

and blood. It’s important to go a little deeper in order

tôdâ sacrifice. The most famous tôdâ psalm is the one

to figure out exactly what’s happening here. There’s a

Jesus prayed on the cross, Psalm 22. So the Eucharist

lot to be said, but I’d like to make four specific points.

is Jesus’ (and our) thanksgiving sacrifice, which

First, we find here the reason we call this sacrament

he completes by singing a tôdâ psalm on the cross.

the “Eucharist.” Just like in the multiplication miracle

Second, in the passages above, we read that

of John 6, scripture says that Jesus “gave thanks.”

Jesus “took,” “blessed,” “broke,” and “gave” the

These words, originally written in Greek, used the Greek word, ĕucharistĕō, which is where we get the

bread. The fact that these four words go together

term “Eucharist.” This word means “to give thanks,” so

is significant. The only other place in the Bible

it is a thanksgiving meal. There was a word for this in

that they all go together like this is when Jesus

the Hebrew Old Testament as well: “tôdâ” (pronounced

performed

the

miracle

the

multiplication!

The Miracle of the Multiplication Matthew 14:19-20

Mark 6:40-42

Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass; and taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 20 And they all ate and were satisfied. 19

So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. 41 And taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples to set before the people; and he divided the two fish among them all. 42 And they all ate and were satisfied. 40

Luke 9:16-17 And taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. 17 And all ate and were satisfied.

The gospel writers are telling us that there’s

Third, from the last supper story, we can find that

something similar between this miracle and the

Jesus is offering the one sacrifice of the Cross. The

Eucharist. I don’t think there’s any reason to say

Eucharist and the Cross are one and the same sacrifice!

that the bread and wine of the last supper was

We know that it was a Passover meal. That is obvious

multiplied. So what makes these two similar?

from the context of each of the gospels (see Matt

They

are

both

supernatural

miracles!

16:17-25; Mark 14:12-21; Luke 22:7-13). In Passover

the

meals, the Jews would ritually drink four cups of

multiplication, Jesus multiplies only a few loaves to feed thousands.

wine throughout the evening. Some scholars believe

In the Last Supper, he states

that we can find evidence in the New Testament that

clearly: “This is my body… this is my blood.” The

the cup which Jesus identified with his blood was the

miracle here is Jesus actually effecting a change

third of these four cups. Then on the cross, we find

in what the food is!

This is no metaphor. It’s

Jesus drinking again just before he proclaims “It is

not merely symbolism. This is a great miracle!

finished” (John 19:30). Jesus paused the Passover meal

after the Eucharist (Mark 14:25), then he finished it

“do this” in memory of him. We remember Jesus

on the Cross! These aren’t two separate events; the

by making him really and truly present at mass.

cross and the Eucharist are one and the same sacrifice! Fourth, Jesus says that the cup is his “blood of the covenant.” This is an interesting phrase and only appears very rarely in Scripture, though the theme of “covenant” can be found throughout scripture.

CONCLUSION

hese passages should inspire faith in the Catholic Church’s teaching on the Holy Eucharist. Jesus

instituted it on the night before he died as a new kind

Jesus is pointing us to a story from Exodus 24, where

of Passover for Christians. It is the one sacrifice of

Moses establishes a covenant between God and the

Jesus on the cross. Jesus is not killed over and over

Israelites. Moses splashes blood on the altar (the altar

again on our altars. The once and for all sacrifice of

symbolizes God) and on the people of Israel, which

the cross is made present, really present, through the

indicates that they share a blood bond. God and Israel

power of the Holy Spirit on our altars at every Mass. It

have become one family. This is what a covenant is:

is the miraculous meal which is shared intimately by

establishing family bonds between two parties who are not biologically related. Two examples

family. We are invited to join God’s family through the new covenant established by Christ. Being

of covenants today are marriage and

part of God’s family means sharing in this

adoption. As Moses splashes the blood, he

meal. But it’s not just a meal. The Eucharist

exclaims, “Behold, the blood of the Covenant” (Exodus 24:8). God and the Israelites then share an meal

intimate just

heavenly

after

this

covenant

ceremony

(Exodus

24:9-11).

Jesus

is truly Jesus’ body and blood. Jesus is mystically but truly and literally present on our altars, in

our

and in us when we receive the

establishes

where God and his

The

people (Christians)

this

family

sharing

blood

by and

a meal (communion). These four points from scripture show us that when Jesus said, “This is my body,” and “This is my blood,” he was giving the

him and

the

wine.

reality

teaching

transformed life.

under

appearance

bread

the new covenant,

become

tabernacles,

Blessed

was

my before

Sacrament

that I received my call from God to be a teacher of the faith. The Eucharist is the source of the Christian life: it is

disciples the great gift of his real presence.

where we receive Christ’s life in us. It is

This is how he remains with us even after

also the summit, or the highest point of

he ascended into heaven (Matt 28:20). This

our lives. It is the place where heaven and

is his solution to the confusion at the end

earth meet, where God and man meet, when

of John 6. Finally, Jesus tells his apostles to

man and God sit at table for the family meal. †

A TIMELINE OF THE EUCHARIST As Moses and the Israelites wandered through the desert for forty years, God gave them a miraculous food to eat every day. “‘Behold I will rain down bread from heaven for you’… When the sons of Israel saw it they said to one another, ‘What is it?’ For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, ‘It is the bread which the Lord has given you to eat.’” (Exodus 16:4,15)

One year before His passion and death, Jesus fed 5,000 people with just 5 loaves of bread and two fish. Then, He walked on water on the Sea of Galilee. In doing these miracles, He demonstrated his mastery over the material world. Then, in the synagogue in Capernaum, He taught, “My flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.” (John 6:55-56)

The Manna from heaven was food for the Israelites’ journey and is a type, or foreshadowing of the Eucharist which is the bread Jesus gives us to eat as food for our journey.

1300 BC

In approximately 2 BC, Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Bethlehem, in Hebrew, is ‫םחֶל ת ּיֵב‬ ֶ , Bet Lechem - “House of Bread.” He was “laid in a manger” which is a food trough. From the beginning of His incarnation and Earthly ministry, Jesus was associated with bread, and food.

In approximately 55 AD, St. Paul wrote his letter to the Christians at Corinth, a community he had founded, concerning problems the young Church there was experiencing. He reminded them of the Real Presence, writing: “Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to answer for the body and blood of the Lord. A person should examine himself, and so eat the bread and drink the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself.” (1 Cor 11:27-29)

After this, “many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him.”

32 AD

33 AD

In approximately 33 AD, on the night before His passion and death, Jesus gathered with His Apostles for the Last Supper. At this meal, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you, l for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Luke 22 and Matthew 26)

55 AD

100 AD

In approximately 100 AD, Ignatius, Bishop of the city of Antioch and student of the apostles, wrote to the Church at Smyrna, warning them not to associate with heretics. He wrote: “They abstain from the Eucharist and from prayer, because they do not admit that the Eucharist is the flesh of our Savior Jesus Christ, the flesh which suffered for our sins and which the Father, in His graciousness, raised from the dead.”

All of the bishops and theologians of the early Church continued to confirm what the Apostles taught.

In the mid 1200’s, local feast days of the Eucharist began to be celebrated in France. In1317, the Feast of Corpus Christi (the Body of Christ) was established as a universal feast day in the Church.

One of the most famous theologians of the of the first 500 years of Christianity was Augustine of Hippo, who wrote:

1050 AD

In the early 20th century, Pope Pius X delivered a series of teachings encouraging frequent and even daily communion for those in a state of grace:

St. Thomas Aquinas wrote the Pange Lingua hymn for this feast, which includes the words:

“That Bread which you see on the altar, having been sanctified by the word of God, is the Body of Christ. The chalice, or rather, what is in that chalice, having been sanctified by the word of God, is the Blood of Christ.”

400

Catholics are required, as a Precept of the Church, to go to confession and receive communion at least once per year. However, since the time of the Council of Trent, the Church has reminded Catholics that reception can certainly be more frequent that once per year.

“The desire of Jesus Christ and of the Church that all the faithful should daily approach the sacred banquet is directed chiefly to this end, that the faithful, being united to God by means of the Sacrament, may thence derive strength to resist their sensual passions, to cleanse themselves from the stains of daily faults, and to avoid these graver sins to which human frailty is liable.”

“The bread of nature By His Word to Flesh He turns; Wine into His Blood He changes: What though sense no change discerns.”

1317 AD

In 1050, a conflict arose in France. Berengarius, the powerful Archdeacon of Angers, was accused of denying the Real Presence. This resulted in a series of hearings, both in France and in Rome, during which Berengarius assented to statements of faith in the Real Presence. The statement of his confession of faith in 1079 reads: “I, Berengarius, believe in my heart and openly profess that the bread and wine that are placed on the altar are through the mystery of the sacred prayer and the words of our Redeemer substantially changed into the true and proper life-giving flesh and blood of Jesus Christ our Lord; and that after the consecration is the true body of Christ, which was born of the Virgin, as an offering for the salvation of the world hung on the cross, and sits at the right hand of the Father.”

1551 AD

1910

As medeival theologians began a greater use of philosophy to explain theological concepts, the term “transubstantiation” was first used in the 11th century to describe the Eucharistic change. The Council of Trent, in 1551, confirmed transubstantiation as Catholic dogma, teaching: “by the consecration of the bread and wine there takes place a change of the whole substance of the bread into the substance of the body of Christ our Lord and of the whole substance of the wine into the substance of his blood.”

1965 AD

The most recent Council of the Church was the second council held at the Vatican in Rome, so it is called “Vatican II”. It convened from 1962 to 1965 in order to make the teachings of the Church more accessible to the modern world. The council confirmed and expanded the teaching on the Real Presence, saying: “Eucharistic sacrifice is the source and summit of the Christian life.” (Lumen Gentium, Ch 2.) During the council, Pope Paul VI wrote in his encyclical Mysterium Fidei: “That in this sacrament are the true Body of Christ and His true Blood is something that “cannot be apprehended by the senses,” says St. Thomas, “but only by faith which relies on divine authority.”

JESUS’S L AST ENCOUNTER WITH HIS DISCIPLES

SACR AMENT, BODY AND BLOOD, SOUL AND

PRAYERS OF THE SAINTS

DIVINIT Y.

AMANDA MARTINEZ BECK

BEFORE

THE

ASCENSION

ENDS

WITH

THESE

WORDS: “AND, BEHOLD, I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, UNTIL THE END OF THE AGE” (MAT THE W 28:20). IN THE SACR AMENT OF THE EUCHARIST, HE KEEPS HIS PROMISE—HE IS WITH US IN THE BLESSED

WE CAN PR ACTICE DE VOTION TO THE EUCHARIST IN

MANY

WAYS—ADOR ATION,

HOLY

HOURS,

TIME BEFORE THE BLESSED SACR AMENT, AND EUCHARISTIC CONGRESSES. WE CAN ALSO ASK FOR THE INTERCESSION OF THE SAINTS WHO HAVE A SPECIAL DE VOTION TO THE EUCHARIST.

ST. NORBERT OF XANTEN (1080-1134) Norbert was born to a noble family in Germany, which was a part of the Holy Roman Empire. Originally, he did not want to become a priest, but a near-death experience caused him to reconsider his calling. He founded the Abbey of Furstenberg and became a devotee of the Eucharist and Our Lady. With the permission of Pope Gelasius II, Norbert became an itinerant preacher. He subsequently spent time in the city of Antwerp, which had fallen into a eucharistic heresy taught by the followers of Tanchelm, an itinerant preacher who taught against the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. He was canonized in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII during the Counter Reformation, when the doctrine of the Real Presence was under attack by the Reformers. St. Norbert’s feast day is June 6. St. Norbert, pray for us, that our love and devotion to the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist would deepen and draw others to Christ.

ST. JULIANA OF LIEGE (1192-1258) Juliana was orphaned as a young child, along with her sister Agnes, in Liege (present-day Belgium). She was cared for at MontCornillon and she entered the Norbertine order at age 16. Juliana worked in the leprosarium and also developed a deep devotion to the Eucharist, partly in connection to the mystical visions she experienced concerning the Blessed Sacrament. Canon John of Lausanne was a good friend of Juliana’s, and he worked with her to share her vision with his contacts in the Church, including Jacques Pantaleon of Troyes who would later become Pope Urban IV. With approval from local religious authorities, Canon John and Juliana began working on the Office for the feast of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, Animarum cibus. In 1246, Bishop Robert of Liege instituted the Feast in his diocese, and in 1264 Pope Urban II issued a decree that the Feast of Corpus Christi would be celebrated throughout the entire Latin Rite. It was the first feast to be sanctioned by a pope for universal use. St. Juliana was canonized in 1869 by Pope Pius IX and her feast day is April 6. St. Juliana, pray for us to have a deep love for the Eucharist and to celebrate it with joy and thanksgiving.

ST. CLARE OF ASSISI (1194-1253) The founder of the Poor Clares, St. Clare of Assisi was born in the twelfth century in Italy and was one of the first followers of St. Francis. She and the religious sisters she led took a vow of extreme poverty and lived on the generosity of those around them. Clare was devoted to the Eucharist and through her intercession, the convent of San Damiano was saved by its power. In 1240, the Saracen mercenary army, under orders from Frederick II of Sweden, attacked the monastery in Assisi. Clare prayed to the Lord for protection and held up a monstrance containing the Body of Christ over the walls where the Saracens were advancing. By the power of God in the Blessed Sacrament, the Saracens fled and both the monastery and the city of Assisi were saved. Clare was canonized in 1255 by Pope Alexander IV and her feast day is August 11. St. Clare, pray for us that we may be filled with the courage and hope that the Blessed Sacrament gives.

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS (1225-1274) At the request of Pope Urban II in connection with the establishment of the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, St. Thomas Aquinas composed a beautiful hymn about the Eucharist in 1264, called the Pange Lingua. The hymn expresses the beautiful truth of the Real Presence of the Eucharist. Read the lyrics in Latin and in English below: Pange, lingua, gloriósi Córporis mystérium, Sanguinísque pretiósi, Quem in mundi prétium Fructus ventris generósi Rex effúdit géntium.

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.

Nobis datus, nobis natus Ex intácta Vírgine, Et in mundo conversátus, Sparso verbi sémine, Sui moras incolátus Miro clausit órdine.

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.

In suprémæ nocte coenæ Recúmbens cum frátribus Observáta lege plene Cibis in legálibus, Cibum turbæ duodénæ Se dat suis mánibus.

On the night of that Last Supper, Seated with His chosen band, He, the Paschal Victim eating, First fulfils the Law's command; Then as Food to all his brethren Gives Himself with His own Hand.

Verbum caro, panem verum Verbo carnem éfficit: Fitque sanguis Christi merum, Et si sensus déficit, Ad firmándum cor sincérum Sola fides súfficit.

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.

Tantum ergo Sacraméntum Venerémur cérnui: Et antíquum documéntum Novo cedat rítui: Præstet fides suppleméntum Sénsuum deféctui.

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, When the feeble senses fail.

Genitóri, Genitóque Laus et jubilátio, Salus, honor, virtus quoque Sit et benedíctio: Procedénti ab utróque Compar sit laudátio. Amen. Alleluja.

To the Everlasting Father And the Son who comes on high With the Holy Ghost proceeding Forth from each eternally, Be salvation, honor, blessing, Might and endless majesty. Amen. Alleluia.

THE BENEFITS OF THE TA X-ADVANTAGED CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUST MARK HENRY, J.D., PRESIDENT, EAST TEXAS CATHOLIC FOUNDATION Catholics who are financially blessed often have

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Using A CRT To Provide A Responsible Inheritance.

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Why Is The CRT So Popular? The CRT has become

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OUR CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

TO KNOW, TO LOVE, AND TO SERVE JESUS CHRIST ROBIN PERRY DIRECTOR OF TYLER CATHOLIC SCHOOLS & PRINCIPAL OF BISHOP GORMAN AND ST. GREGORY In the spring of 2017 Bishop Strickland gave the Catholic schools

complete understanding of the world. The more we know about

in the Diocese of Tyler the most concise mission statement he

the physical universe, the more we can love its creator. The

could possibly write. He charged us to be “unabashedly Catholic.”

more we love the Creator, the more we want to know about His

Basically, to be an unabashedly Catholic school means fostering a

Creation. The cycle of knowing and loving continues infinitely.

culture whereby everyone knows, loves, and serves Jesus Christ. This culture of knowing, loving, and serving Jesus Christ requires

U N A B A S H E D LY C A T H O L I C : TO LOVE JESUS CHRIST

the participation of all members of the school community: students, parents, extended family members, parishioners, religious, priests, staff, faculty, and administrators. For this reason, no one would

If we know, but we do not love, we are a clanging symbol according

argue that proselytizing, deprecating, or trivializing others who

to St. Paul. To love someone means that there are things I will

are not in full communion with our faith is a part of this definition. Rather, it means to say without shame who Jesus Christ is and

never do to offend that person. Loving the Lord Jesus Christ

what it means to be Catholic: to know, love, and serve Jesus Christ.

takes place first and foremost in how we live our daily lives: “If you love me, keep my commandments.” To love Jesus means

U N A B A S H E D LY C A T H O L I C : TO K N O W JESUS CHRIST

to live virtuously: choosing to do the right and avoiding evil.

If we do not know someone, how can we love them? The first step

Only with the strength that comes from prayer and the frequent

Living a virtuous life presents many challenges in today’s world in which we find ourselves surrounded by near occasions of sin.

in any relationship entails spending time and getting to know the

reception of the Sacraments of Confession and Holy Communion

other. For students, the bulk of any day at school consists of time

do we receive the divine assistance necessary to love Jesus

spent getting to know Jesus Christ through the classes they take, and

through a virtuous life. Of course, in the Holy Eucharist we

for this reason our schools must always be academically excellent.

encounter Love Himself in the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In addition

The theology classes, in particular, must build upon one another,

to Holy Mass, then, exposure to other Catholic devotionals

answering “What?” and later “Why?” We must first construct a

must be a part of the daily life of the school. This life of prayer,

catechetical foundation, rooted in the Scriptures and the Fathers

rooted in the sanctifying grace of the sacraments, turns our

of the Church, that answers the “What?” questions of Jesus Christ.

minds and hearts in an act of virtuous love toward Jesus Christ.

Then, in the final years of high school as the students’ mental development allows for a more philosophical approach, we must

Children

answer the “Why?” questions of Jesus Christ that ends with applied

also

learn

virtuous

living

from

their

parents

through discipline. Catholic schools complement the moral

knowledge from ethics and morals on how best to live a virtuous life.

development of children at home through its code of conduct

Students, however, cannot only learn about Jesus Christ in

whereby students learn appropriate behavior in a communal

classes of theology. To be unabashedly Catholic means to teach

and public setting. In today’s day and age people sometimes

those linkages between faith and reason in all classes, and

choose to express themselves outside the rules, but they do

how they both complement each other towards a higher, more

not realize how such behavior frequently leads to negative

consequences. Jesus Christ did not mince His words about the

family, for forming children forms families. Oftentimes the

fact that those who do not follow the rules will face repercussions.

involvement of the children in the life of a Catholic school pulls the parents back to the practice of the Catholic Faith.

Establishing discipline in a Catholic school is hard because it requires a concerted and constant commitment on the part of

Beyond the sphere of the home and school, students at

every member of the faculty and staff. Frankly, it is the worst part

Catholic schools must be engaged in service to the community

of the administrator and teacher’s job. Discipline can be hard on the

at-large. The last words of Jesus were to “go and make

parents as well. Parents often cheer about a new rule until their child

disciples”, so we must facilitate those opportunities to shine

breaks it. In those instances, parents must face the reality of their

the light of Jesus Christ to all of East Texas and beyond.

child falling short. These failures, though, can be opportunities for lessons learned that no one could explain in a book. The school setting allows students to learn in a controlled environment

STEPS FORWARD

those difficult lessons that prepare them for college and beyond.

Catholic schools are not private schools that have barriers to entry. “Catholic” means “universal,” so our doors should always

U N A B A S H E D LY C A T H O L I C : TO S E R VE JESUS CHRIST

be open to those who desire to give their children a Catholic education.

However,

the

ever-rising

cost

tuition

makes

the financial burden more difficult for most families to send

The ultimate metric for being “unabashedly Catholic” is a culture

their children to Catholic schools. Now more than ever, I call

of Christian service for one’s fellow man that permeates the very

upon the Catholic community as a whole to give generously

being of the school. Jesus said that we will be judged at the end of

towards the education of the child in the pew next to you.

time based upon our service “to the least of these.” The teachings of Jesus make clear that Catholicism is more than an ideology, it is a

Having “unabashedly Catholic” schools in our Diocese will not

way of life. Knowing Catholicism is not the same as being Catholic,

happen overnight, but this goal is attainable. As faculty and staff

because being Catholic includes a life of joyful service to others.

model their classes and lives after Jesus Christ, the student body culture will conform. We as school principals must continue to

The faculty, as a community of educators, comes to full fruition

organize retreats for our faculty and staffs whereby they assess

as we challenge our students to reach their full potential.

their own progress towards becoming unabashedly Catholic.

Our work as teachers demands much of us as we strive to move every student to unprecedented heights, giving them

Following

opportunities

Catholic” vision that Bishop Strickland has given Catholic

never

before

considered.

The

faculty

plant

seeds in the hearts of their students, that one day the students

faithfully

the

big

picture

the

“unabashedly

schools requires the patient participation of everyone. If we are

will give back generously a portion of what they received.

not united in this great charge, the clamorous noise deadens

Students, in their virtuous interactions with one another,

the salvific message of Jesus Christ. Join me in forming life-

develop habits of good manners. Those same students carry

long disciples of Jesus Christ right here in East Texas—disciples

this charitable behavior first and foremost to their homes.

who will know, love and serve Jesus Christ, disciples who

In time, the growth of the child leads to the growth of the

will change the world for the better, saving countless souls. †

S T. M A R Y I N L O N G V I E W St. Mary’s Catholic School serves families of

The early childhood education program began in

Longview

1986, and in 2011 the high school program began.

by St.

and

providing

the

greater

quality

Mary’s

offers

experience,

being

one

the

addition

nation

that

early

East

Texas

Catholic

unique of

serves

Catholic

very

few

grades

childhood

area

education. school schools

The current trend in schools around the nation is STEM curriculum, where science, technology,

engineering, and mathematics are emphasized.

education.

St. Mary’s seeks to present a STEAM curriculum,

K-12,

As outlined in their mission statement, St. Mary’s Catholic School is committed to partnering with families in forming children to be disciples of Jesus who actively participate in the Kingdom of God, by forming Faith, Scholarship, Leadership & Service. Originally founded in 1948 as St. Anthony’s Catholic

which includes art as an integral part of a student’s educational experience. In addition to offering TAPPS academics, St. Mary’s offers Spanish, and competitive art and photography programs. Also offered is an array of extracurricular activities, including soccer, volleyball, basketball, track, cross country, archery, gold, yearbook, and music.

School in Longview, the land for the current campus was purchased by Monsignor Szapka to

To schedule a campus tour or to have your

accommodate growing numbers of students. St.

student

Mary’s was dedicated on the Feast of the Immaculate

questions about financial aid, please contact the

Conception in 1968 and has continued to grow.

registrar, Melinda Dunn, at 903-753-1657 ext 116.

shadow

for

day,

you

have

S T. P A T R I C K I N L U F K I N St. Patrick Catholic School was founded in 1955

St. Patrick offers the Kumon math supplemental

by Father Fred Julian, a LaSalette missionary. In

curriculum and has a one-to-one Chromebook

order to open St. Patrick School, Fr.Julian send

initiative, which puts a computer in the hands

letters to over 45,000 priests asking for $1.

soon collected over $20,000! (As the story goes, 2

of each middle schooler. There is basketball and soccer available for middle schoolers, as well.

priests actually wrote back in protest to Fr. Julian

St. Patrick is an integrated community that

so he sent them a $1.) In addition to the letters

sent out, the parish families cleaned salvaged bricks from the old Bonner Hotel in Lufkin and sold them to buy new bricks to build the school. Today,

St.

Patrick

offers

quality

Catholic

welcoming

and

students

the

community

people

are

all

encouraged

through

backgrounds, to

food

help

drives

in and

collecting money for charitable organizations. Families can

need

complete

financial

application

assistance

available

education to students from age three to grade 8.

the school, in addition to meeting with the

The teachers and staff of St. Patrick recognize

finance committee. Over 50% of St. Patrick

that every child has a distinct talent given to

students

them by God, and they desire to educate the whole child, not merely prepare them to take

receive

some

amount

assistance.

To learn more about St. Patrick Catholic School, please

call

936-634-6719

standardized tests. The teachers at the school have

stpatricklufkin.com.

time to teach students rather than teach for a test.

Facebook

and

Find

or St.

Instagram

admin@

Patrickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

(@stpatslufkin).

S T. G R E G O R Y I N T Y L E R St. Gregory Cathedral School is the oldest private

time U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon

school in the city of Tyler, serving Pre3K-5th grades.

School of Excellence in Tyler, which places the

Founded in 1946, six nuns from the School Sisters of

school in the top 1% of schools in the nation.

Notre Dame opened and staffed the school, with the pastor, Fr. Vincent Wolf serving as superintendent.

In addition to vigorous academics, St. Gregory’s

Fr. Wolf’s vision was to “provide Catholic schooling

offers Religion, Spanish, Music, Drama, Physical

that

vision

Education, Technology, and a Dyslexia program.

remains today as St. Gregory places a high value

Extracurricular activities include Choir, Violin,

on faith development, academic excellence, self-

Tumbling, Art, and Private School Interscholastic

direction,

Association

develops

the

personal

whole

child.”

responsibility,

That

and

self-

discipline as means for developing the total student.

The

(PSIA)

faculty,

staff,

academic

competitions.

students,

and

parents

St. Gregory’s is a distinctly Catholic school,

participate in service outreach projects which

infusing the school day with The Disciples of

benefit

Christ, Education in Virtue ® curriculum, which

volunteering at St. Vincent de Paul, providing

is structured around the teachings of St. Thomas

student made blankets, collecting canned food,

Aquinas about the virtues and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Students learn in Religion classes

the

community.

Examples

include

and serving at the Cathedral Soup Kitchen.

four times a week and attend Mass weekly at

For

questions

the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception,

and

financial

located next door. St. Gregory’s is the only three-

the

school

regarding assistance, by

phone:

enrollment

please

contact

903-595-4109.

BISHOP GORMAN IN TYLER Since opening its doors in September of 1958,

Journalism, Band, National Honor Society, Visual

Bishop

been

Arts, Pre-Med Club, Pro-Life Club, Academic

committed to offering a quality Catholic education

Team, Choir, Skeet, International Students Club,

to its students. Originally staffed by the School

Football, Cross Country, Cheerleading, Dance Team,

Sisters of Notre Dame who came to East Texas

Basketball, Soccer, Baseball, Softball, Volleyball,

to teach about a hundred students, the school

Swimming, Track and Field, Tennis, and Golf.

Gorman

Catholic

School

has

now boasts over 350 students in grades 6-12. Students who attend Bishop Gorman Catholic School are challenged academically and are prepared for college and career training programs. For those in middle school, there is the opportunity to participate in academic competition through Private Schools Interscholastic Association (PSIA),

The mission of Bishop Thomas K. Gorman Catholic School

the

social,

Placement courses. Co-curricular activities include:

Ambassadors,

Student

fulfillment

the

educational

Christian person. It aims at the development

For

Student

the

its primary goal the ongoing formation of the

and the high school offers over thirty Advanced

Yearbook,

ministry of the Catholic Church and has as

individual's cultural

information

inquire

Ministry,

Drama

Club,

call

Government,

Biology

Club,

schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

the

and

about

school

website

moral,

intellectual,

physical

endowments.

about

tuition

enrollment

assistance,

903-561-2424

please

visit

the

www.bishopgorman.net.

AN INTERVIEW WITH DR. STACY TRASANCOS

Dr. Stacey Trasancos is a scientist, a theologian, an expert on the relationship of faith and reason, a staff apologist for Catholic Answers, a published author, teaching fellow at the St. Philip Institute, and now the head of the Bishop Gorman Online education program. We talked to her about her conversion to Catholicism and why she joined the teaching mission of the Diocese of Tyler.

CET: Can you tell us about your conversion to the

be welcomed into the Church; I was going to Mass daily,

Catholic Faith?

taking two toddlers and a teenager with me—pregnant, only to receive the blessing from the priest with my hands

I grew up here in East Texas in a Baptist home, and for a

crossed over my chest. But I trusted the wisdom of the

long time I wasn’t sure what Catholicism even was. I had

Church and I wanted to follow the rules. Growing up

a friend who was Catholic, but all I knew was that she wore

Baptist, there had been no rules to do things the right way;

ashes on her forehead once a year—I had no idea why. Then

you prayed to receive Jesus and everybody celebrated,

I moved away and went to graduate school in Chemistry

but then nobody cared if you came back or not. The day

at Penn State, and I had pretty much turned away from

I was received into the Church was so very important:

the faith in any way that you can, living a life where I

our daughter Marie was baptized, our marriage was

made all my own rules. Trust me—I know all the ways that

convalidated, and I received my first Holy Communion.

lifestyle can end up, because I followed it to its logical

I was glad that I waited so long. It was so special to me.

conclusion. Things got pretty bad for me. I was thirty at the time, and I realized that I wasn’t going anywhere helpful.

BEING A SCIENTIST,

I had two children, and I hadn’t been a good mother. I didn’t know what I was doing. I said, “God, let me start

I APPRECIATED THE

over somehow.” Science—this thing I loved so much—was not answering the biggest questions that I had, and even

LOGICAL RIGOR OF

working as a chemist wasn’t all I thought that it was going to be. I wasn’t happy. So I prayed for the first time in years.

THE CATHOLIC FAITH.

I met my husband José shortly thereafter one morning at a conference. We were there with different companies but made a connection. That was really the beginning

After that, I was home with the babies—we had four

of the conversion. We got married and I got pregnant

daughters in five years! I told José that I wanted to know

with our daughter Abby, and José told me, “You can

more about our faith but that I had no idea where to start.

do what you want—if you want to stay home with this

After some research, I enrolled in the online program at

baby and your other two children, or you can keep

Holy Apostles College, which enabled me to study things

working.” I had dreamed of being a mother since I

like the One and Triune God, the Incarnation of Christ,

was little, and he gave me the chance to stay home.

and the differences between dogma and doctrine, all

We began to look for a church, because I knew that I wanted a

while I stayed home and cared for my children. Being a

moral grounding, but I didn’t have a clue as to where to start.

scientist, I appreciated the logical rigor of the Catholic

José was a cradle Catholic, and he invited me to go to church

Faith based on revelation from God, and after three

with him. I went, and he let me ask questions and patiently

years, I graduated with a degree in Dogmatic Theology.

answered them. I will never forget that one of the first times

I started writing about dogmatic theology and about

I was in a Catholic church—I went into the church library and

science, and I never thought there was a conflict. Faith

picked up a copy of the Catechism. It opened to the section

and science fit well together, because science had led me

that said that children are a gift (CCC 2378). That word ‘gift’

to faith. I had always wondered, “Who made all of this?”

hit me—it’s not scientifically definable, but I knew it was true.

But I hadn’t let myself go there when I didn’t believe.

Moms need their children, and children need their moms.

After coming to faith, it occurred to me that science

And then I heard about being open to life, and I told José,

is the study of the handiwork of God. That’s what I tell

“I’m going to have as many babies as I can in the time I

my students now: when chemistry and physics get

have left.” But I still hadn’t converted! It took two years

hard, take a minute to appreciate what you’re doing—

to get things ready for me to enter the Church because I

studying the handiwork of God. From the beginning,

had to go through the annulment process. Some people

God created everything with this order, and we get

wondered if it really needed to take that long for me to

to study it. You’re getting to know God in a new way.

How does the Christian understanding of the natural

When I arrived at the Diocese of Tyler, I saw here a people

world differ from that of other religions that enables a

committed to beautiful orthodoxy and a respect for

Christian to honestly engage in scientific inquiry?

tradition, but also with a unique liveliness: everybody is on fire for their faith in the middle of this strongly Protestant

No other religion, ancient or contemporary, has the same

area, trying to draw their brothers and sisters in Christ

dogmas—the same foundational truths—that we have:

into the fuller truth. That’s how it’s supposed to be done.

that the world has a beginning in time, that God created everything, that God is not within nature, and that God is

I began conversations with the leadership of Bishop Gorman

the cause of nature. In other religions, there is a belief in an

School, on how to expand the outreach of Catholic education

eternally cycling cosmos, that time is cyclical and always

here in East Texas. Working with Bishop Gorman Catholic

will. No other religion has a cosmology with a beginning

school, the Diocese is working to make Catholic education

in time; none of them has a creation that is distinctly other

available to every child here in East Texas through online

than God, because the world is deified. When you believe

delivery. This means that, in line with Bishop Strickland’s

that the cosmos is eternally cycling, there is no motivation

vision to have robust Catholic education within the Diocese

to dominate and understand how the world works. But when

of Tyler, the students of our diocese will be able to graduate

you understand the dogmatic views of Christianity, the world

with a high school diploma from Bishop Gorman School,

of science makes sense. Even atheists today must view the

even if they are homeschooled or if they do not live within

world as Christians view it. They don’t view the world as an

driving distance of the brick-and-mortar buildings. Next

organism with its own will, because then you couldn’t do

year it will not be fully implemented, but there will be a

science. Science as we know it demands a Christian view of

full set of science courses available in the fall and even

the world, that it was created with an order at a point in time.

several dual enrollment courses through UT Tyler. That

My love of science led me to God. The scientific method

on college tuition. It’s going to make Catholic education

will put students ahead in college and save families money

is valuable because you have to keep probing to find

available to so many young people in the Diocese.

what you are looking for, coming up with abstract theories

and

formulas

describe

it.

It’s an exciting time to be here in the Diocese of Tyler. I

point,

didn’t realize that I was coming home in more than just

you will realize that science will never have all the

one way—coming back to East Texas and getting to be

answers. When I was searching for answers in science, I was actually searching for God and didn’t know it.

knit into the Catholic Church here. I’m home in a million

Tell us about your new role in the Diocese.

is an amazing thing, and the teaching mission for the

different ways. Bishop Strickland’s Teaching Constitution diocese is something that needs to be shared widely!

We moved back here to be near my family, and coming home was a wonderful thing to be near my parents. When I was studying theology in school, we discussed the idea of ecumenism quite a bit. The definition of ecumenism is the promotion of unity among the Christian Churches of the world. Think of it this way: ecumenism is like my mom wanting all her children to be home for Christmas and to stop fighting, for the sake of unity in Christ. I think that Mary probably feels like that with all of us fighting over religion here. On one hand, there is a natural affection between brothers and sisters in Christ who are in different denominations. On the other hand, you can’t have unity while denying the truth. You have to stand for the truth and articulate it. But you also have to be kind and meet people where they are and befriend them while you’re confident in your own position.

• Over 6 million dollars in college scholarship offers from the class of 2017 • Over 30 students recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Program since 2004 • Over 2000 college acceptances by graduating seniors since 2008 • Advanced Placement and Dual Credit courses available • Full-time college advisor on campus. • Award winning Fine Arts programs including Drama, Band, Art , Choir and Orchestra • Award winning Athletics programs including Volleyball, Football, Softball, Baseball, Basketball, Track & Field, Swimming, Soccer, Cross Country and Tennis

Enrolling Now for the 2018-2019 school year! Call now for a tour and see what exciting things are in store for your child!

SACRED HEART CATHOLIC CHURCH PALESTINE, TX

is celebrating the

125

anniversary of its dedication

FRIDAY, JUNE 8 2018 Mass at 6pm Mass will conclude with a procession to the statue of the Sacred Heart Reception to follow For more information please call Sacred Heart at (903) 729-2463 or email shpalestine1893@gmail.com

CATHOLIC EAST TEXAS TALKS WITH FR JESSE ARROYAVE ABOUT THE POWER AND IMPORTANCE OF THE REAL PRESENCE OF JESUS IN THE EUCHARIST

CET: Father, can you give us a brief history of your life?

the Real Presence the focus for all our parishioners. We teach that whoever receives the Eucharist in a worthy manner is

Fr. Jesse: I am Father Jesús Rodrigo Arroyave Múnera. However,

united with the Lord, even to the point of being strengthened

in the diocese I am known as Father Jesse, thanks to a deacon

spiritually and physically. Furthermore, whoever receives

in my first parish in Sulphur Springs, José Hernández, who

Communion in a worthy manner also receives forgiveness for

affectionately changed my name. I am from Colombia, and

venial sins and remains protected against all the snares of the

I come from strong Catholic family. I am the youngest of ten

evil one that tempt us to commit mortal sins. Jesus Christ in

children, and my parents always formed us in the Catholic

the Eucharist is the sign of unity that should distinguish the

faith and urged us to participate in all the events of the Church.

Church. Because of this, no one should receive Holy Communion

Since I was very small, I was around the Church, helping with

who is not disposed to unity with the Church, the diocese,

many things. Later, I studied at the minor seminary, and after

the parish, the bishop of the diocese, and the Holy Father.

graduating, I attended the University of San Buenaventura

All of us who receive the body and blood of Jesus Christ are

in Bogotá. I finished there with a licentiate in Theology.

called to live in charity, in respect, in peace, in harmony, as

The first few years of my priesthood were spent in the

true children of God. He is our good Father and he desires that

religious community, and there I worked in helping with

his children to live as he ordains, under the commandment

vocations

and

the

formation

the

religious.

of love. As God loves us, so we should love all people.

Bishop

Corrada invited me to be part of the Diocese of Tyler, and

In the parish, we continue to teach the reality of the Real

I have been here for many years. For the past six years, I

Presence of Jesus in the consecrated host, the bread of eternal

have been at the parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Tyler.

life. Our hearts should burn within us, like the pilgrims on the way to Emmaus, as the Gospel of Luke tells us. After we receive

As a parish priest, what do you want your parishioners to know

Holy Communion, we must be conscious that we have just

and to experience of the Eucharist and the Real Presence of

come into intimate contact with Jesus Christ and we are able to

Christ?

stay before God with a thankful heart as the Mass continues.

The Eucharist is the Real Presence of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Do you have anything to say to the young men who are

Because of this, no matter who you are, when you are near the

considering becoming priests?

consecrated host, you encounter the same Jesus of Nazareth of whom the Gospels speak. Whoever receives Jesus Christ in

I want to call attention to the gift of God, to this miracle of the

communion in the Holy Mass is permitting God—Father, Son,

Eucharist, in which God the Father gives us his son to be near

and Holy Spirit—to fill all of themselves. At the institution of

to us. In this plan, God has involved human beings to take part

the Sacrament of the Eucharist, the risen Jesus is fulfilling

in continuing the salvific work. Through these men, the Lord

the promise that he made to his disciples to be with us always,

is consecrating the bread and the wine, the body and blood

even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20). Every time that

of Jesus. Because of this, the priesthood is a gift from God.

we celebrate the Holy Mass, Jesus Christ makes himself

It is a mystery that God calls some, not because they are the

present in the bread and wine after the priest consecrates it,

richest or the most suited or the smartest. I remember this

repeating the words of Jesus at the Last Supper—"Take and

often when I think that Jesus started the work of the Church

eat; this is my body…Take and drink; this is my blood.” It

by calling apostles from run-of-the-mill people—fishermen

becomes the body and blood of the Lord, the same Jesus Christ

on the shore—and with them began the work of salvation.

who is seated at the right hand of the Father, the same Jesus

Today, the Lord calls many young men and waits for their

who we receive in Holy Communion. He is the same Jesus

answer. I believe that the Lord does not oblige anyone to accept

who lives in the tabernacle—Jesus Christ in the Eucharist,

his call. But if the call persists, then some young men heed

the Real Presence of God—body, blood, soul, and divinity.

the call to the priestly life, so that the miracle of the Eucharist

After reading the Constitution given to us by Bishop Strickland, I

can continue in the Church. Many respond with enthusiasm at

was impressed with the focus on the importance of the Eucharist

first, and then come many fears and doubts. But it is all a part

in the life of the Church, of the diocese, and of the parish.

of the discernment process, and day after day, these young

Since the Constitution came out, we have made awareness of

men discover how to give their lives as an answer to the Lord. †

he deeper we enter into our faith, and the more we learn

To bring about this New Exodus, a new Moses is needed—

about the history of our faith the more clearly we see the

the Messiah. Similar to how God used Moses to deliver Israel

connections between the faith of the Jewish people and our

from slavery in Egypt, he will again use a deliverer to free

own. As one of my seminary professors said, “Christianity is

Israel from sin and corruption. Dr. Pitre reminds us that

the flowering of Judaism.” Jesus himself was a Jew and is the

“shortly before Moses’ death, he had prophesied that the twelve tribes of Israel would rebel against the Law of God

fulfilment of the Jewish prophecy; he is the Jewish Messiah.

and, as a result be cast out of the promised land” (Deut. 4:26-

The Resurrection and Ascension of our Lord don’t cut off

27). Moses goes on tell the people that “God will raise up for

his followers from the first revelations of God to the Jews,

you a prophet like me from among you… him shall you heed”

but rather fulfills them. This is particularly true with our

(Deut. 18:15). Later rabbinic tradition will continue to expect

Catholic belief in the Eucharist. Dr. Brant Pitre, a professor

a new Moses. In the 3rd and 4th centuries AD, Rabbi Berekiah

of Sacred Scripture at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans,

says that “as the first redeemer [Moses] was, so shall the

lays out the connections between the Jewish faith and our

latter Redeemer [Messiah] be…As the former redeemer

belief in the True Presence in his book Jesus and the Jewish

caused manna to descend… so will the latter Redeemer

Roots of the Eucharist. I found this book to be a wonderful

cause manna to descend” (Ecclesiastes Rabbah 1:28).

strengthening of my own faith in the Eucharist and I think

Jesus fulfills the role of the new Moses, creating a new and

it can help others to come to a deeper love and knowledge

everlasting covenant between God and his people just as

of the great gift that Jesus gives us in His Body and Blood.

the first Moses did between God and Israel. The first Moses

JESUS AS THE NEW MOSES

established a central place of worship of God called the

To understand how Jesus fulfilled the expectations of

in the desert. The temple built under Solomon goes on

the Jewish faith, we must have a clearer grasp of what

to be destroyed during the Babylonian Conquest and the

those expectations were. Many focus on the expectation

Temple of Herod is under construction at the time of Jesus.

of a political Messiah, that would free Israel from the

But Jesus says in John 2:19, “Destroy this Temple, and I

oppression of the Roman Empire. I have even preached

will raise it again in three days.” Jesus as the new Moses

this point in homilies. But Dr. Pitre points out that while

will establish a new center of worship of God in Himself.

that is part of the expectation—particularly for the

BREAD FROM HEAVEN

Tabernacle, a portable ‘temple’ as the Israelites wander

Zealots, a radical sect of Judaism—it is not the whole story.

One of the most important aspects of the new Moses is the

What the Old Testament prophets foretell is that God

return of the manna from Heaven. We remember from

will once again rescue Israel by means of a New Exodus.

Exodus 16 that as the Israelites wandered in the desert God

sent them bread from heaven. He gave them food to sustain

from heaven; if any one eats of the is bread he will live

them on the journey. The Jewish tradition (found in the

forever; and the bread which I will give for the life of the

Mishna and other sources) shows us that the Jews believed

world is my flesh…For my flesh is true food and my blood is

the manna was created at the beginning of the world. Pitre

true drink…” (John 6:50-51, 55). Jesus gives us the manna of

writes that “‘the manna’ was one of the ‘ten things’ that was

his Body and Blood. At the Last Supper, Jesus the Messiah

‘created on the eve’ of the seventh day of creation, the first

takes bread and wine at the Passover celebration and gives it

Sabbath, along with the staff of Aaron that budded, and

to his disciple, saying “This is my Body… This is my Blood.”

the tablets of the Ten Commandments” (86). The manna

The Eucharist, is not therefore something new or completely

didn’t disappear completely once the Israelites entered

unlooked for; it is the fulfillment of the Messiah, the New

the promised land but continued to exist in the Temple of

Moses, giving his people manna, food for the journey.

Heaven. The new Moses will bring a return of this miraculous

And what a wonderful bread! Jesus gives us his very self.

bread. Jesus brings us this new manna in the Holy Eucharist.

BREAD OF THE PRESENCE

SUPERNATURAL BREAD

One final connection between the Jewish faith and the

Jesus teaches many times about bringing this bread, the

Eucharist that I’d like to mention from Pitre’s book is one

new manna. The best-known words of Jesus are probably

that most of us are probably only vaguely aware of, and

the Lord’s Prayer. In that prayer we ask, “Give us this day

that’s the Bread of the Presence. If we look closely in the

our daily bread.” There has been an ocean of ink spilled

book of Exodus we find in the Holy of holies there is a table

about the translation of this simple phrase, but Pitre points

of gold, on which is found the “bread of the presence”

out that what our Lord says is this: “Give us this day our

along with flagons of wine. The King James version calls it

epiousious bread.” The Greek term that the Scriptures

the Showbread, or Shewbread. A literal translation of the

translate as “daily” in English is epiousios, but the word for

Hebrew lehem ha panim is the Bread of the Face. The Bread

day in Greek is hemera. What does epiousios mean? Scholars

of the Presence is a sign of God’s presence but also, as Pitre

still debate this. We see it for the first time in the Lord’s

points out, a reminder of God’s everlasting covenant. “Every

prayer. Jerome translated this word supersubtantialem in

Sabbath day Aaron shall set it in order before the Lord

Latin, which in English translates as supernatural. Pitre

continually on behalf of the sons of Israel as an everlasting

argues that the meaning is from the two parts of the word,

covenant” (Lev. 25:8). The bread of the Presence continued

epi – meaning “on, upon, above” and ousia – meaning

to be fixture of the Holy of Holies even in Jesus’ earthly life.

“being, substance or nature.” Pitre says, “The hope for the new manna from heaven stands at the very center of the

The Bread of the Presence didn’t just sit there on the table.

Lord’s Prayer, the one prayer that we know Jesus taught to

At the major feasts of the Jewish calendar, Passover,

his disciples. Before his disciples were to ask for anything

Pentecost, and Tabernacles, the priests would carry the

else…they were to ask first for the new manna of the new

golden table out of the Holy of Holies and show it to the

exodus…” (96). That is, they are to ask first for the Eucharist.

people saying “Behold, God’s love for you!” (Babylonian

BREAD OF LIFE

Talmud Menahoth 29A). The Bread was an earthy sign

Jesus’ Bread of Life discourse found in John chapter 6 is

Eucharist, Jesus also gives us the Bread of the Presence,

of the face of God for the Jewish people. In the Holy

the most explicit connection between the new manna and

not merely an earthly sign but the actual presence of

the Eucharist. The Jews ask Jesus for a sign that He is the

God. In the Eucharist we behold Jesus, His Real Presence.

Messiah, they particularly ask about the manna. “Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written,

The connections and similarities between Jewish practice

‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat’” (John 6 :31). The

and belief and the Holy Eucharist are too numerous to cover

expectation of the Jews is to be given bread from heaven

in this review. In Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist,

by the new Moses and they specifically ask for it. “I am the

Dr. Pitre gives an accessible look at these connections. You

Bread of Life” Jesus responds. But he doesn’t stop there: “This

don’t need a degree in theology or be fluent in Latin, Greek or

is the bread which comes down from heaven that a man may

Hebrew to enjoy this book. I highly recommend this work for

eat of it and not die. I’m the living bread which came down

anyone seeking a deeper love of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. †

SURVIVING THE MASSES: WHY BRINGING YOUR SMALL CHILDREN TO MASS IS WORTH IT BY DEANNA JOHNSTON

oing to Mass with children, especially when they

misbehave, and so they assume the best solution is

are little, can be challenging. As the mother

to not bring them until they are older. This is a myth.

of a 3-year-old, a 1-year-old, and a baby on the way, I

Even though it is challenging, going to Mass as

assure you that I understand the struggle is real. It

a family is one of the greatest gifts that we can

is difficult to appreciate the miracle of bread and

give our children.

wine becoming the Body and Blood of our Lord when your toddler has discovered that the hymnals make

the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these”

an excellent drum set, and your daughter decides

(Mt 19:14).

that the sacred silence is the perfect moment to

the faith for our children.

I am willing to bet that most Catholic parents have

and ultimately to lead them to Jesus.

or did something that was embarrassing during

though it will be challenging at times, we are

the fact, the reality is that some of us are

helping them to understand that Mass is

really struggling to figure out how

a priority for our family. We plant the

to bring our children to Mass while

seed of faith that helps our children

also participating in the Liturgy.

begin

that they just don’t feel

the

Source

I have not figured out the

little.

afraid

understand

I’ll be the first to admit

coming

to Mass when their are

and Summit of our Catholic faith.

Many parents have shared with me

They

When we

start bringing them to Mass as infants, even

Mass. While some stories are humorous after

are

By baptizing them, we

promised to help them grow in their Catholic faith

at least one “horror story” where their children said

children

Jesus loves our kids, wiggles and all!

As their parents, we are the primary teachers of

announce—loudly—that she had to use the bathroom.

comfortable

Jesus said it himself, “Let the

children come to me, and do not prevent them; for

perfect

solution

to getting through an

entire Mass without

distracting the people

any issues. Our family

around them, or that

is still learning, and

their children will

I’m sure we have

plenty of embarrassing and humbling moments in our

my favorite websites is JoyfulCatholicFamilies.com,

future. However, I do want to offer encouragement,

which has free printable content such as “The Mass

especially to other parents of young children, and

in Pictures” and directions on how to create your

pass on some of the helpful suggestions that others

own Mass kit for kids. This will help them to engage

have shared with us on bringing kids to Mass:

with what is happening during the Sacred Liturgy.

Find a Mass that is best for your family’s schedule.

Most importantly, keep trying. Some Masses will be

We’ve learned that our kids do much better at a morning Mass than in the evening. families it may be just the opposite.

For other Doing what

is best for your family might mean splitting up Masses between parents or utilizing the nursery for a season. The goal should be going to Mass as a family, even if it takes some time to get there. Kids are going to make noise at Mass and that’s OK. The noise of babies crying and little ones squealing means that the Church is not dead!

Sometimes it

may require that we step out for a moment to regroup and help our child calm down.

It is important,

however, to return to the worship space as soon as they are quiet, so they don’t begin to associate misbehavior with a pass to “get out of Mass”.

better than others. Even when our kids seem to be at their worst behavior, we still receive the graces for making the effort. It won’t always be this difficult, and in the end, it is so worth it. We are planting the seed of faith in our children, and God will help it to grow. For those who do not have small children at Mass, please be merciful and affirming to the young families around you.

Saint Paul said it well:,

“Eencourage one another and build one another up” (1 Thess 5:11). I can tell you from personal experience getting

encouragement

from

other

parishioners

after a particularly difficult Mass is a real blessing. The Eucharist is the Source and Summit of our Catholic faith. If we really and truly believe that it

Teach your children about the Mass. There are so

is what we believe it is, Jesus Himself, then we know

many wonderful books and online resources to help

Jesus wants our kids there too.

teach kids of all ages more about the Mass. One of

come to me… even the noisy and wiggly ones. †

Let the children

REAVIVAR NUESTRO ASOMBRO REVERENDÍSIMO JOSEPH E. STRICKLAND OBISPO DE TYLER

n este volumen de la revista Catholic East Texas,

como esta enseñanza ha sido proclamada consistentemente

nuestro

Presencia

en toda la historia de la Iglesia. Por favor lea cada una de

de Jesucristo en la Sagrada Eucaristía.

estas partes. Juntas, forman un Manual de la Presencia

Mientras escribo esto, estamos caminando en

Real que queremos que cada católico en la Diócesis lo lea.

Real

enfoque

principal

la Cuaresma, anticipando la pasión, muerte, y resurrección

PARA REAVIVAR NUESTRO ASOMBRO

del Señor en el Triduo. Usted lo leerá después de la Pascua, cuando la vida haya vuelto a lo “normal,” y para la mayoría

Sin embargo, leer no es suficiente. También debemos vivir de

las cosas católicas ya no serán tan dramáticas otra vez hasta

tal manera que se fortalezca nuestra fe en la Presencia Real.

Navidad. Entre un mes de la publicación de este volumen, el

Cuando el Papa san Juan Pablo II escribió su gran encíclica en la

tiempo ordinario inicia otra vez en el calendario litúrgico, y

Eucaristía, ECCLESIA DE EUCHARISTIA, escribió que debemos

todos podemos deslizarnos nuevamente en nuestras rutinas.

trabajar para “suscitar nuestro asombro” en la Eucaristía. En su carta, él citó el Concilio Vaticano II al decir,

¿Cierto?

“La sagrada

Eucaristía, en efecto, contiene todo el bien espiritual de la Iglesia, es decir, Cristo mismo, nuestra Pascua y Pan de Vida,

No. Absolutamente no. Debemos despertar a la VERDAD que

que da la vida a los hombres por medio del Espíritu Santo.”

Jesucristo viene a nosotros, en su Cuerpo, Sangre, Alma, y Divinidad, en cada Misa. Yo estoy muy preocupado por lo que veo

Así

en el presente de la Iglesia Católica. He escrito anteriormente, en

nuestra

la Constitución de Enseñanza, que siento que la falta de creencia

Mismo, y que en la Eucaristía él nos da la vida eterna,

en la Presencia Real es un problema primordial que enfrentamos

por

en la Iglesia. TODOS debemos trabajar para combatir esta

Entonces,

incredulidad en nuestras propias vidas, y para ayudar a los

que,

somos

mente

que

católicos la

Eucaristía

debemos

¿por

qué

creyentes,

contiene

justamente

estamos

sabemos a

estar

siempre

Jesucristo

asombrados. sorprendidos?

Yo creo que no siempre vivimos como si estuviéramos

demás a llegar a entenderlo y a creer en esta gran verdad.

sorprendidos.

Debemos

vivir

verdad

que

creemos

La gente está acostumbrada a escuchar de sus sacerdotes y

profesamos o se hará dura y sin vida. Nuestras acciones y

obispos, palabras como “invitar” y “animar” y ciertamente

elecciones deben coincidir con lo que profesamos. La hipocresía

siempre invitamos y animamos a todos a venir y ver la bondad

no es compatible con la vida en Cristo. Por lo tanto, todos

de Dios. Sin embargo, yo pienso que la palabra ordenar también

debemos esforzarnos, y esforzarnos mucho, para hacer que

tiene un lugar en nuestro discurso en la Iglesia. Como Obispo,

nuestras vidas muestren nuestra creencia en la Presencia Real.

yo ordeno que tomemos la Presencia Real más seriamente como

Quiero hacer unas simples sugerencias para ayudarnos a hacer esto.

nunca lo hemos hecho. Esto es vital para cada uno de nosotros.

CONFESAR NUESTROS PECADOS ANTES DE RECIBIR

En esta sección especial de Catholic East Texas hay varios recursos

para

Todos

saber exactamente lo que enseña la Iglesia acerca la Presencia

acude

Real,

que

excelentes queremos

para decir

enseñarnos, con

fortalecernos

transubstanciación, como

acercan

esta enseñanza viene a nosotros en la Sagrada Escritura, y

tiene

hemos a

la a

escuchado confesión,

recibir

dientes

porque

el pero

reclamo: el

comunión. es,

Poca

domingo, Bueno,

hecho,

gente

todos esta

queja

problema.

Gracias a Dios, el uso del Sacramento de Reconciliación

apresurados para regresarnos a nuestro trabajo. Católicos,

se ha hecho de alguna manera más popular una vez

escúchenme—la

más, pero todos necesitamos hacernos a sí mismos una pregunta

difícil:

¿Confieso

mis

pecados

con

Eucaristía

funciona

esa

manera.

Lo que estamos haciendo en la Misa es específicamente ser

suficiente

sacados del mundo. Así es, al menos una vez a la semana,

frecuencia? Se nos requiere confesarnos al menos una

en la casa de Dios, juntos como familia reunida de Dios. La

vez al año, así como se nos requiere recibir Comunión

Misa

al menos una vez por año. Sabemos, sin embargo, que

ambos,

sacrificio

Jesucristo—representado

en el altar—y su comida familiar en la que recibimos

debemos de hacer ambos con más frecuencia que eso.

Pero, seamos más específicos – el problema actual es que se nos

Jesucristo.

Nunca

requiere usar el Sacramento de Reconciliación en cualquier

una

debemos

“terminar”

momento que tengamos conciencia de haber cometido un

con

ocasión

estar la

apresurados

Santa

especial.

inmensamente

Misa.

para

Nosotros

simplemente

debemos

como

personas y como una comunidad, tomar el tiempo y el

pecado serio, antes de recibir comunión. Si usted no está

cuidado

seguro de como reconocer un pecado grave, por favor use un

examen de consciencia o pídale a un sacerdote que le oriente.

necesario

Jesucristo,

para

presente

mostrar

tantas

respeto

maneras

apropiado

Misa.

Por lo tanto, para reavivar nuestro asombro, yo quiero que

ALGUNAS VECES, NOSOTROS NO RECIBIMOS

VAYAMOS MÁS DESPACIO. No se apresure. Cuando nos acercamos

Si estamos en Misa, y usted sabe que no ha confesado

al frente para recibir a Jesucristo, nunca estemos a la carrera, tan

un pecado grave que haya cometido, entonces no reciba

apresurados que no podamos mostrarle la reverencia apropiada.

comunión.

tiempo

para

que

todos

nosotros

nos

RECIBIR LA EUCARISTÍA REVERENTE Y CUIDADOSAMENTE

examinemos y nos preguntemos, “¿Cuándo fue la última vez que me abstuve de recibir la comunión en Misa?” Si nunca

Como un sacerdote que ha dado la comunión a decenas

nos abstuvimos, y la recibimos en cada Misa, es porque

¿Somos realmente fieles de no cometer pecados graves y

cómo

confesar nuestros pecados cada vez antes de la siguiente Misa?

Cristo.

O, ¿Es porque no tomamos con seriedad esta enseñanza?

miles

las

son

católicos,

personas

Algunas

adecuadas

reciben estas para

visto el

muchas

Cuerpo

variaciones recibir

variaciones la

Sangre

son

increíble

en de

buenas.

regalo

del

Cuerpo y la Sangre del Hijo de Dios. Esta es una manera

Si no tratamos la Eucaristía como sagrada—si no tenemos respeto

primaria en la que vivimos nuestra fe en la Presencia Real.

por la Eucaristía al recibir comunión indignamente—entonces por supuesto no estaremos asombrados y agradecidos por este

Primeramente, debemos darnos cuenta de que incluso la más

regalo. De hecho, el recibir la Eucaristía sin haber confesado

pequeña partícula del Cuerpo o de la Sangre de Jesús sigue

primero cualquier pecado serio, es agregar otro pecado grave.

siendo el Cuerpo o la Sangre. Una sola gotita derramada del cáliz, o una pequeña migaja de una hostia, sigue siendo el

Por supuesto, el vivir esta enseñanza es difícil. Es difícil quedarse

Cuerpo y la Sangre de Cristo y debe ser tratada como tal. Esto

en la banca cuando todos los demás van hacia adelante, o

debería ayudar a explicar por qué, después de la comunión,

acercarse al sacerdote o diacono sólo por una bendición en

el sacerdote, diácono y acólitos toman tal cuidado en la

lugar de por la Eucaristía. Pensamos, “Todos van a saber que

limpieza de los recipientes utilizados en la Misa. Incluso el

yo cometí un pecado grave.” Este es uno de los momentos en la

residuo es consumido reverentemente y nunca se tira. Por

vida en que tenemos que decidir lo que es más importante para

eso, cuando recibimos el Cuerpo y la Sangre, debemos tener

nosotros. ¿Me preocupa más lo que la demás gente piensa de

en cuenta que no debemos perder ni

mi o mi obediencia hacia Dios? Después de morir, no seremos juzgados por otra gente. Seremos juzgados por Jesucristo.

Cuando recibimos el Cuerpo de Cristo, si lo recibimos en la mano, debemos ser extremadamente cuidadosos al asegurarnos

Por favor, si usted está consiente de un pecado sin confesar

de que ninguna partícula se quede en nuestras manos.

en su vida, absténgase de recibir la Eucaristía y vaya pronto a

Debemos literalmente buscar en nuestras manos después

confesarse. Si usted vive de esta manera, usted está tratando a la

de recibir la comunión, y si vemos una migajita o partícula

Eucaristía con asombro, como el inmenso y santo regalo que es.

¡LA EUCARISTÍA NO ES COMIDA RÁPIDA! Vivimos comer

nuestras

mundo comidas

ritmo

regulares

una pequeña partícula.

nuestra

mano,

reverentemente

debemos

consumirla.

Debemos reconocer también que la Iglesia nos da opciones rápido.

Tendemos

rápidamente,

para recibir el Cuerpo de Cristo. También podemos recibir

siempre

la Eucaristía en la lengua. Ahora, muchos católicos de

hoy no están acostumbrados a esto, y muchas personas

la Sangre de su Hijo dentro de nosotros, podemos y debemos

no han sido entrenadas para hacerlo apropiadamente. Sin

sentir una conexión especial hacia él. Use este tiempo para

embargo, esta es una opción buena y reverente para la

orar y dar gracias. Use este tiempo para reavivar su asombro.

recepción del Cuerpo de Cristo. No dude en pedirle a un sacerdote o diacono que le explique la forma apropiada para

En el futuro, las parroquias de la Diócesis se enfocarán

recibir en la lengua. Si usted es movido por su consciencia a

elegir esta opción, aprenda a cómo hacerlo correctamente.

y yo estoy animando a esto. Si nosotros creemos que

más

importante,

debemos

reconocer

que

con

depende

reverencia.

haciendo.

nosotros,

Debemos

¿Cómo

puedo

dadas

las

personalmente,

pensar

preguntarnos

recibir

valioso,

estamos

nosotros

mismos:

comunión

con

que

Iglesia

opciones

recibirlo

que

más

de e

extra

recibir

para

algo

importante,

esta

oración

silenciosa,

extremadamente

entonces

especial,

daremos

gracias.

PASAR TIEMPO CON JESÚS

reverencia, me

oportunidad

acabamos

importa que opción elegimos para recibir el Cuerpo de Cristo,

dar

creemos

que

Sagrada

Eucaristía,

está

ofrece?

presente

Jesús

está

realmente

entonces

sagrario

eso en

presente

significa

Iglesia

que local.

Usted puede y debe entrar algunas veces para hablar con él.

Igualmente, cuando recibimos la Sangre, debemos tomar el cáliz despacio y cuidadosamente, teniendo un gran cuidado de

En cada Iglesia Católica que tiene un sagrario, hay una luz o

no derramarla. Si algo de la preciosa Sangre es derramada, hay

vela roja cerca del sagrario. Permanece encendida donde sea

un procedimiento específico para limpiarla que es reverente y

que Jesucristo esté presente en ese sagrario. Esa luz pequeña,

apropiado. Siempre debemos tratar los elementos de la Eucaristía

silenciosa, es un recordatorio que Jesucristo le está esperando allí.

con el máximo respeto. Al hacerlo, estamos viviendo nuestra creencia, y abriéndonos a nosotros mismos para ese asombro.

Muchas

nuestras

parroquias

tienen

horario

Adoración Eucarística para que la gente pueda llegar y

SIEMPRE RECIBIMOS A JESÚS COMPLETO

orar en la presencia de Jesucristo, y esto es maravilloso.

Algunas veces, el cáliz de la Sangre de Cristo puede no

Yo les recomiendo a los católicos que pasen tiempo en

estar disponible en una Misa dada. Esto es con frecuencia

organizar

cierto

por

razones

salud,

durante

temporada

Adoración

Eucarística

cuando

puedan.

influenza. A veces, esto causa aflicción a la gente, y algunas

Sin embargo, yo les invito a los católicos a pasar por la

personas sienten como si en estos casos les faltará algo vital.

Iglesia y decirle hola a Jesús. A hacer una pequeña oración. A pedir ayuda con algún problema del día. Pero, también a

Sin embargo, la Iglesia enseña que tanto el Cuerpo como

reconocer su presencia allí con usted. Debemos hacernos a

la Sangre, de hecho, es el todo el Cuerpo, Sangre, Alma y

Divinidad

recibimos

solamente

Cualquiera

Jesucristo.

Cuerpo

debemos

bajo

una

forma

Sangre

esta pregunta: ¿Cuándo fue la última vez que ore frente al

preocuparnos en

Jesús

Santísimo Sacramento y reconocí que Jesús está allí presente?

Misa.

completo.

Si vivimos nuestras vidas sorprendidos ante el gran regalo que Dios nos da en la Sagrada Eucaristía, entonces viviremos lo que

DECIR GRACIAS Después hacer?

creemos. Nuestro compromiso interior a la fe coincidirá con

recibir

¿Regresar

Santa

nuestra

Comunión, banca

¿qué

soñar

debemos

nuestro propio proceder. Nuestras vidas se convertirán en un

despiertos?

testimonio, no sólo para los demás, sino para nosotros mismos.

No. Debemos agradecer a Dios por el regalo de su Hijo. Debemos pasar tiempo en oración y reflexión acerca del

SÍ, nosotros creemos que Jesucristo está verdaderamente

Cuerpo y la Sangre de Cristo que acabamos de recibir.

presente en la Eucaristía. SÍ, usted lo puede ver en como

Debemos de estar sólo asombrados en cuánto Dios nos ama.

actuamos

asombrados

Ésta es la razón por la que muchas de nuestras parroquias nos dan algún tiempo de silencio después de la comunión. Yo sé que

como

adoramos.

cuan

bueno

SÍ,

nosotros

Dios

estamos

con

nosotros.

para

reavivar

Hágase a si mismo esta pregunta:

es fácil para que nuestras mentes se desvíen en lo que vamos a hacer cuando salgamos de Misa, o residan en algo más, pero

¿Qué

ésta es la hora estelar para hablar con Dios. Con el Cuerpo y

puedo asombro

hacer al

personalmente

regalo

Presencia

Real?

EL CATECISMO Y LA EUCARISTÍA POR LUKE HEINSTCHEL, M.A.

¿QUÉ ES LO QUE ENSEÑA EL

verde. Estaba muy grueso para

dentro de él son abundantes. En

CATECISMO DE LA EUCARISTÍA?

que un joven inmaduro como yo

este artículo, me gustaría resumir

entendiera el gran regalo que se

lo que el Catecismo tiene que

me había entregado. Habiendo

decir de la Sagrada Eucaristía.

l año pasado, el Obispo Strickland

declaró,

“La Diócesis de Tyler será una diócesis de

enseñanza.” Y veinticinco años antes de eso, el Papa Juan Pablo II declaró en su

promulgación del

Catecismo de la Iglesia Católica: “Yo declaro que [el Catecismo de la Iglesia Católica] es una norma segura para enseñar la fe” (Fidei Depositum 4). De modo que, si nos convertiremos en una diócesis de enseñanza, el Catecismo debe ser “una norma segura” para nuestras vidas en esta diócesis.

desviado mi mirada, lo conserve, solamente para mucho después darme

cuenta

regalo

que

era.

maravilloso Aun

este

día, yo uso esa copia original que me dio mi catequista de confirmación. El Catecismo está disponible gratis en línea, pero yo recomiendo mucho obtener su propia copia del libro. Léalo, subráyelo, anótelo, y apréndalo. El

Catecismo

una

obra

sorprendente. Está saturado con la escritura, de las enseñanzas

El Catecismo está separado en párrafos numerados, por eso me enfocaré en los párrafos 1419.

Sin

embargo,

1322-

antes

llegar allí, es importante hablar brevemente acerca de los que

es un sacramento. En el párrafo 1131, leemos, “Los sacramentos son signos eficaces de la gracia, instituidos por Cristo y confiados a la Iglesia por los cuales nos es dispensada la vida divina.” Eso es un poco difícil para entenderlo, así

que

déjeme

descifrarlo:

de los santos, y de las enseñanzas

Signos eficaces de la gracia: Esto

Catecismo de la Iglesia Católica

oficiales de la Iglesia de todos los

significa

fue cuando yo era un adolescente.

siglos. Puede parecer intimidador,

son

símbolos

Mi catequista de confirmación

pero si podemos evocar sólo una

que

recibimos.

entregó a todos en mi clase

pequeña cantidad de valor para

sólo símbolos. La mayoría de

una copia de este enorme libro

abrirlo, las riquezas contenidas

símbolos no tienen un efecto

primer

encuentro

con

que

los

sacramentos

de Pero

gracia no

son

real fuera de simplemente lo

Eucaristía en su última cena, la

Eucaristía es el complemento de la

que significa algo. Por ejemplo,

noche antes de morir. En cada

iniciación cristiana. Cada vez que

el logotipo de una empresa no

Misa

recibimos la Sagrada Comunión,

hace realmente a la empresa

Escuchamos

estamos más plenamente iniciados

presente. Simplemente señala a

decir en Misa, “En la víspera

en la Iglesia. Participamos con

la empresa. Los sacramentos son

de su Pasión, tomó pan en sus

toda la comunidad de la Iglesia

símbolos que tienen un efecto.

santas

en el sacrificio de Jesús. Jesús nos

El efecto de lo que simbolizan. Para la Eucaristía, que significa que es sacrificio simbólico de Jesús en la Cruz, pero no es sólo un símbolo, es realmente el sacrificio de Cristo. Es por eso que el Catecismo continua diciendo,

“Los

ritos

visibles

bajo los cuales los sacramentos son

celebrados

significan

realizan las gracias propias de cada

sacramento”

(CCC

1131).

Instituidos por Cristo y confiados a la Iglesia: La iglesia no inventó estas

cosas.

Jesús

mismo

recordamos

este

hecho.

sacerdote

venerables

manos…”

Por los cuales nos es dispensada la vida divina: Es a través de los sacramentos que recibimos la misma vida de Dios, a veces se

llamada

“gracia.”

Esto

mayormente verdadero para la Eucaristía.

Jesús

mismo

dijo,

“El que come mi carne y bebe mi sangre tiene Vida eterna”

dio la Eucaristía para perpetuar el sacrificio de la cruz a lo largo de los tiempos. La cruz fue un evento único, pero a través de la Eucaristía, se hace presente aquí y ahora. Nos llena de gracia (es decir, la vida de Dios) y es una

anticipación

nuestro

futuro hogar en el cielo con Dios.

(Juan. 6:54). San Pedro escribió

El Catecismo cita el Vaticano

que en la vida, cristianos nos

II,

convertimos en “portadores de la

es ‘fuente y culmen de toda

naturaleza divina” (2 Pedro 2:4).

la vida cristiana’” (CCC 1324).

diciendo,

“La

Eucaristía

Esto significa que conseguimos

CCC 1322-1327

nuestra fuerza para vivir como

instituyó cada Sacramento y lo

En estos párrafos introductorios,

cristianos de la Eucaristía y la

dio a la iglesia. Jesús instituyó la

el Catecismo nos enseña que la

Eucaristía es el punto culmine

de nuestras vidas. Demasiado a menudo no lo vemos

sacrificio de pan y vino. En otras partes del Antiguo

así. Es muy común no pensar mucho de la Eucaristía

Testamento, el pan y el vino se ofrecen como un

cuando la recibimos. Pero cada vez que lo hacemos,

signo de acción de gracias a Dios que nos creó.

estamos participando en la “culminación” para lo

El éxodo ofrece un nuevo significado del pan y

que Dios el Padre envió a su hijo a lograr en la tierra.

el vino; están conectados a la fiesta de Pascua, el milagroso maná en el desierto y la tierra prometida.

San Irineo dice, “Nuestra manera de pensar armoniza con la Eucaristía, y a su vez la Eucaristía confirma

Jesús eleva y transforma estos (y otros) símbolos del

nuestra manera de pensar.” La Eucaristía es también

Antiguo Testamento en sus milagros, especialmente el

un aspecto intelectual de nuestra fe. Al unirnos

milagro de la Eucaristía. Pero la Eucaristía no es algo

con Cristo, en realidad fortalece nuestra fe en él.

fácil de aceptar o comprender. La enseñanza de Jesús en la Eucaristía en Juan 6 divide a los discípulos en

CCC 1328-1332

dos campos: los que creen y aquellos que abandonan a Jesús. Nunca estemos en ese segundo grupo.

n esta sección, el Catecismo explica porque este Sacramento es llamado como es llamado.

Hay

más

hecho,

un hay

nombre muchos.

para

Explicare

Cuando Jesús celebró su última cena e instituyó

Eucaristía;

la Eucaristía, lo hizo en la Pascua. El Catecismo

algunos:

afirma que “Jesús dio su sentido definitivo a la pascua judía.” Les dijo a sus discípulos, “Haced esto

Eucaristía: Este título viene de la palabra griega

en memoria mía.” Jesús estableció la Eucaristía

eucharistein que significa “acción de gracias.” Este sacramento es nuestra acción de gracias para Dios.

como una forma para que recordemos su sacrificio

Banquete del Señor: Este título viene de cuando Jesús

que él había muerto, resucitado, y vuelto al Padre.

al hacerlo realmente presente mucho después de

instituyó: la Ultima Cena.

CCC 1345-1355

Fracción del Pan: Este título fue usado por los

Santo Sacrificio: La Eucaristía en realidad hace

presente el sacrificio de Jesús en la cruz.

se ve la Misa en su iglesia. ¡Son casi idénticos!

l párrafo 1345 del Catecismo nos da una

primeros cristianos (ver Hechos 2:42).

visión en los primeros años de la iglesia.

Compare lo que dice en ese párrafo con lo que Ya casi 100 años después de la muerte de Cristo

Comunión: En este sacramento, estamos unidos a

la Misa se veía justo como se ve hoy en día.

Cristo y a los demás al “comulgar” en su sacrificio y consumir su cuerpo y su sangre.

El resto de esta sección detalla la orden específica de la Misa. Algo importante para aprender es que

Santa Misa: Esto se refiere a toda la Liturgia en la

la Liturgia se divide en dos partes principales: la

cual recibimos la Eucaristía. Viene de la palabra del

Liturgia de la Palabra y la Liturgia de la Eucaristía.

Latín missio que significa “enviar.” La Eucaristía nos

En la Liturgia de la palabra, nos centramos en la

fortalece al enviarnos dentro del mundo.

palabra de Dios escrita. La escuchamos proclamar,

CCC 1333-1344

quí

encontramos

y algunas

explicaciones

luego

sacerdote

diácono)

ofrece

una

reflexión generalmente basada en las lecturas.

del

En la Liturgia de la Eucaristía, la Palabra se hace

pan y el vino. El Catecismo enseña que el pan

presente a través de la presencia de Jesús en el altar.

y el vino se convierten en el cuerpo y la sangre de Cristo. La Iglesia cita una historia en Génesis

Ambas de estas partes forman un solo acto de

14, donde el rey sacerdote Melquisedec ofrece un

adoración, según el Catecismo. Asimismo, en Lucas

24:13-35, Jesús explica las Escrituras a sus discípulos

La santísima Trinidad y todo el cielo están allí con él.

y luego celebra la Eucaristía con ellos. Al recibir el

En cada Misa, los santos y los ángeles están alabando

Sacramento, sus ojos se abren para ver la Verdad.

con nosotros. Cuando entramos en la Misa, entramos al cielo. Esto es donde el cielo y la tierra se juntan.

CCC 1356-1383

Puesto que Jesús es Dios, él tiene la naturaleza divina.

Acción de gracias y alabanza al Padre

todas las facetas de él: Cuerpo, Sangre, Alma y

n estos párrafos del Catecismo, la Iglesia

Puesto que él es plenamente hombre, él también tiene

nos enseña que la Eucaristía es tres cosas:

un cuerpo y alma. En la Eucaristía, están presentes Divinidad. Citando el Concilio de Trento, el Catecismo

Memorial del sacrificio de Cristo y de su Cuerpo

explica: “En el Santísimo Sacramento de la Eucaristía

Presencia de Cristo por el poder de su Palabra y de

están ‘contenidos verdadera, real y substancialmente

su Espíritu

el Cuerpo y la Sangre junto con el Alma y la Divinidad de nuestro Señor Jesucristo” (CCC 1374).

En casi todas las culturas a través del tiempo, las personas han ofrecido sacrificios, oraciones de

alabanza y acción de gracias a su dios(es). Jesús

“transubstanciación.” Dice que la substancia del

instituyó la Eucaristía para ser ese sacrificio de

pan es cambiada en la substancia de Cuerpo de

agradecimiento y alabanza al único Dios verdadero.

Cristo nuestro Señor. Eso significa que aunque se

Puesto que es verdaderamente su cuerpo y su sangre,

mira, se siente y sabe cómo pan normal, no es para

también sirve como un recordatorio de su sacrificio en

nada pan. Es Cristo mismo. Debido a esto, nosotros

la cruz. Aunque, no es simplemente un recordatorio.

podemos en realidad adorar a la Eucaristía. Como

Nos recuerda su sacrificio haciendo realidad su

católicos, adoramos solamente a Dios. No tenemos

sacrificio presente aquí y ahora. El Catecismo cita

otros dioses o ídolos antes que a él. ¡Ni siquiera

Hebreos 7:25-27, diciendo,

“El memorial recibe un

podemos adorar a los santos! Pero debido a que

sentido nuevo en el Nuevo Testamento. Cuando la

la Eucaristía es el mismo Dios, es adecuado para

Iglesia celebra la Eucaristía, hace memoria de la

nosotros que lo adoremos en este Sacramento.

Pascua de Cristo y ésta se hace presente: el sacrificio

Catecismo

también

explica

término

La verdad que es Jesús realmente y no pan o

que Cristo ofreció de una vez para siempre en

vino no puede ser entendida por sí sola por la

la cruz, permanece siempre actual” (CCC 1364).

razón

humana.

Ninguna

cantidad

estudio

“El sacrificio de Cristo y el sacrificio de la Eucaristía

científico del pan y el vino consagrados nos podría

son, pues, un único sacrificio” (CCC 1367). Lo que

demostrar eso. No brillan bajo un microscopio.

Jesús comenzó en la última cena y completó en la cruz

El Catecismo cita a Santo Tomas de Aquino al

se hace presente en el Santo Sacrificio de la Misa. En

explicar que solamente podemos saberlo por la fe.

este sacramento, nuestras propias vidas, nuestras

CCC 1384-1390

alabanzas, sufrimientos, oración y obras son unidos

stamos

a los de Cristo. Nuestras vidas y obras toman un

venir

valor mayor ya que están unidos a la vida de Cristo.

invitados a

por

comunión

Cristo (Juan

mismo 6:53),

para

responder a esta invitación, debemos prepararnos.

Como Cristo está presente en este sacramento, así también están todos los ángeles y santos en el cielo.

Debemos hacer un examen de conciencia antes

Cristo no sale del cielo para estar en nuestros altares.

Sino que, él trae al cielo con él. Cuando el sacerdote

mortal,

celebra la Misa, aunque él esté solo, nunca está solo.

¡Mucha

gente

recibir.

hemos debemos no

cometido recibir

entiende

esto,

algún la

pecado

comunión.

pero

tan

importante! ¡Recibir la comunión en un estado

La Eucaristía es también una anticipación del

de pecado mortal es un pecado! San Pablo lo

cielo. Como dije anteriormente, recibimos todo el

explica en 1 Corintios 11:27-29. Por esta razón

cielo cuando recibimos la Eucaristía. El Catecismo

Jesús nos dio el Sacramento de la Confesión.

explica: “De esta gran esperanza, la de los cielos nuevos y la tierra nueva en los que habitará la

Incluso si no hemos cometido un pecado mortal

justicia, no tenemos prenda más segura, signo

desde la última confesión, aún así no somos dignos

más manifiesto que la Eucaristía” (CCC 1405).

de recibirlo. Por eso nos hacemos eco de las palabras de Mateo 8:8 antes de recibir— “Señor, no soy digno

CCC 1406-1419

de que entres en mi casa; pero una palabra tuya

bastara para sanarme.” La Iglesia nos obliga a ir a Misa cada domingo y días de precepto, pero sólo

sta

sección

los

párrafos

resumen

anteriores.

de no

todos puede

comprometerse a leer todo el Catecismo sobre

nos obliga a recibir la comunión una vez al año

este tema de la Eucaristía, al menos mire aquí.

(durante la temporada de Pascua). Se nos anima a ir a Misa y comulgar tan a menudo como sea

La Eucaristía es Cristo mismo. Es el pan vivo bajado

posible (¡incluso todos los días!), pero no debemos

del cielo. Cuando nos la comemos, tenemos vida eterna

recibir si estamos en un estado de pecado mortal.

y comunión en la Santísima Trinidad. Es el corazón y

CCC 1391-1405

la cumbre de la vida de la Iglesia. La celebración de

este sacramento comprende siempre: la proclamación

sta sección del Catecismo nos enseña “Los

de la Palabra de Dios, la acción de gracias y alabanza a

frutos de la Comunión;” en otras palabras,

que

sacamos

ella.

más

Dios, la consagración del pan y del vino y la comunión.

importante

Estos elementos forman un solo acto de alabanza. Es el

que sacamos es una íntima unión con Cristo. Algunas

personas

piensan

que

los

mayor acto de adoración que podemos ofrecer a Dios.

católicos

no tienen una relación personal con Jesús. ¡En

EL CATECISMO CONCLUYE ESTA SECCIÓN DE

realidad, no hay nada más personal en nuestra

ENSEÑANZA DE LA EUCARISTÍA CON ESTO:

relación con él que recibir la Sagrada Comunión!

Cristo, que pasó de este mundo al Padre,

En nuestra vida natural, comemos alimentos para

nos da en la Eucaristía la prenda de la gloria

mantenernos con vida. Nos dan la vida. La Eucaristía

que tendremos junto a Él: la participación

hace esto para nuestra vida espiritual. Conserva,

en el Santo Sacrificio nos identifica con

aumenta, y renueva la vida de gracia recibida en el

bautismo. Como el alimento natural nos fortalece

lo largo del peregrinar de esta vida, nos

para hacer cosas con nuestros cuerpos, este alimento

hace desear la Vida eterna y nos une ya

espiritual nos fortalece para evitar el pecado.

Corazón,

sostiene

nuestras

fuerzas

desde ahora a la Iglesia del cielo, a la

También limpia cualquier pecado venial de nuestras

Santa Virgen María y a todos los santos.

almas. Es por eso que no necesariamente se necesita siempre confesar los pecados veniales. Usted debe

ir a la confesión por los pecados veniales, pero no

las

necesariamente se necesita hacerlo. La Eucaristía se

nosotros en la diócesis de Tyler, el Catecismo es

encarga de eso por usted. El Catecismo enseña que la

especialmente importante, ya que es la ‘norma

comunión nos separa del pecado. También nos ayuda a

segura’ para la enseñanza de la fe. Recordemos

amar. La Sagrada Comunión nos ayuda a amar mejor a

todas

Dios y al prójimo. La Eucaristía nos une también a los

nuestros hijos y así llegaran a amar a Dios más

demás. San Agustín la llama el “vínculo de la caridad.”

profundamente. ¡Nuestras vidas dependen de esto! †

Catecismo enseñanzas

estas

una de

fantástica

Dios

enseñanzas,

fuente

para

iglesia.

Para

transmitámoslas

LA DOCTRINA DE TRANSUBSTANCIACIÓN POR DAVID A. TAMISIEA, J.D., PH.D.

CRISTO: REALMENTE PRESENTE os

católicos

creen

la realidad completa de Jesucristo

en el más completo sentido. Los

católicos, por lo tanto, adoran a

contiene

Eucaristía.

como una cuestión de

Ahora hay otras maneras en las

fe que Jesucristo está

que Jesucristo se hace presente a sí

Santísima

Jesucristo

Eucaristía

está

porque

verdadera

substancialmente presente en ella.

realmente presente en

mismo para nosotros. Cristo está

“Cuerpo, Sangre, Alma y Divinidad”

misteriosamente presente en la

Los

en la Eucaristía. La Iglesia refiere

persona de un sacerdote ordenado,

que Cristo empieza a estar real,

a esto como la Presencia Real

en la Palabra de Dios proclamada

verdadera

de Cristo en la Eucaristía. Esta

en la Sagrada Escritura, en el

presente

presencia

Jesucristo

pueblo de Dios reunido para adorar

el Santo Sacrificio de la Misa.

Eucaristía

denomina

“real”

juntos, en un grupo de dos o más

Durante la Plegaria Eucarística,

no a título exclusivo, como si

creyentes reunidos para orar en su

el sacerdote eleva la hostia de pan

las otras presencias no fueran

nombre, y en los pobres, los que

y dice, “Tomen y coman todos

reales,

sino

creen

substancialmente la

Eucaristía

para

sufren, y los marginados. Debido a

de él, porque este es mi cuerpo

que Cristo está presente de alguna

que será entregado por ustedes,”

completo

manera en estas cosas, los católicos

y luego eleva el cáliz de vino y

sentido. La presencia de Cristo

están obligados a tratarlas con gran

dice, “Tomen y beban todos de

en la Eucaristía es una presencia

honor y respeto. Sin embargo los

él: porque éste es el cáliz de mi

substancial por ella Cristo, Dios

católicos no adoran a la Biblia, a

sangre, sangre de la alianza nueva

y Hombre Verdadero, se hace

un grupo de adoradores, o a una

y eterna, que será derramada

(Catecismo

persona pobre, ya que Cristo no

por ustedes para el perdón de los

de la Iglesia Católica 1374). El

está substancialmente presente en

pecados. Hagan esto en memoria

uso de la Iglesia del término

ellos. Solamente en la Eucaristía

mía.”

“substancial” es para indicar que

es que Jesucristo está presente

cuando el sacerdote termina las

totalmente

bien

también

indicar que Él está presente en Eucaristía

más

católicos

presente

preciso

momento

palabras de la consagración, los católicos creen que

hacer de la nada lo que no existía, ¿No podría cambiar

Jesucristo empieza a estar realmente presente en la

las cosas existentes en lo que no eran todavía? Porque

Eucaristía. Lo que era un ordinario pan de trigo y

no es menos dar a las cosas su naturaleza primera

vino de uva es ahora Jesucristo sacramentalmente

que cambiársela” (San Ambrosio, De Mysteriorum

presente en la Eucaristía. Si tan sólo tuviéramos

52). Cristo que convirtió el agua en vino, que caminó

un visual para que nos ayudara, se miraría como el

sobre el agua, calmó la tempestad, multiplicó pocos

rayo de un relámpago iluminando la hostia de pan

panes y pescados para alimentar a miles, y resucitó

y el cáliz de vino en las palabras de la consagración

de entre los muertos, puede sin ninguna duda

cambiándolos inmediatamente en el Cuerpo y la

ejercitar el mismo divino poder para obrar a través

Sangre, el Alma y la Divinidad, de nuestro Señor

del sacerdote para transformar el pan y el vino en la

Jesucristo. Pero Dios nos pide más que eso: Él quiere

Eucaristía. Que Cristo puede hacer esto es irrefutable.

que creamos en la presencia real de Cristo en la

Pero ¿Cómo pasa esto? Los Padres de la Iglesia dan fe

Eucaristía por la fe. Como lo remarca Santo Tomás de

al hecho que cuando el sacerdote dice las palabras de

Aquino, “Que en este sacramento está el verdadero

la consagración, el poder de Dios obra para cambiar

cuerpo de Cristo y su sangre, no lo pueden verificar

el pan y el vino en el Cuerpo y la Sangre de Cristo.

los sentidos, sino la sola fe, que se funda en la

San Juan Crisóstomo enseñó, “No es el hombre

autoridad divina” (Summa theologiae III, q. 75, a. 1).

quien hace que las cosas ofrecidas se conviertan en

Solamente un sacerdote ordenado válidamente puede

Cuerpo y Sangre de Cristo, sino Cristo mismo que

consagrar la Eucaristía: Cristo confirió esta sagrada

fue crucificado por nosotros. El sacerdote, figura de

función sobre los Apóstoles como a sus primeros

Cristo, pronuncia estas palabras, pero su eficacia

ministros sacerdotales (y a todos los sacerdotes

y su gracia provienen de Dios. Esto es mi Cuerpo,

desde entonces) cuando les ordenó: “Hagan esto en

dice. Esta palabra transforma las cosas ofrecidas”

memoria mía” (Lucas 22:19). El sacerdote actúa en

(De Prodit. Iudae 1, 6). Antes de examinar la materia

persona Christi (“en la persona de Cristo”) cuando

cuidadosamente, los Padres usaron las palabras

repite las palabras de nuestro Señor de la institución

“cambiar,”

en la Última Cena para consagrar la Eucaristía. Cristo

para describir la manera en la cual el pan y el vino

por el poder de Dios hace uso del sacerdote como un

se convierten en el Cuerpo y la Sangre de Cristo

tipo de instrumento vivo para cambiar el pan y el

en la Eucaristía. Aunque la Iglesia en el primer

vino en su Cuerpo y su Sangre. Nosotros creemos por

milenio creía uniformemente en la presencia real

fe que antes de que el sacerdote diga las palabras de

de Cristo en la Eucaristía, aun no había desarrollado

la consagración hay solamente pan de trigo y vino de

plenamente la doctrina explicando la transformación

uva, pero después de las palabras de consagración

que toma lugar para traer la Presencia Real.

ahí está Cristo, substancialmente presente en la

“transformar,”

“hacer,”

“convertir”

DISCUSIONES Y VOCABULARIO NUEVO

Eucaristía, bajo la simple apariencia de pan y vino.

o fue hasta el siglo XI, cuando Berengario de

¿ES ESTO POSIBLE?

Tours negó que ningún cambio real tomara

ue Jesucristo, el Dios hombre, pueda hacer esto

lugar en las palabras de la consagración, que la

presente absolutamente sin ningún problema. El

Iglesia empezó a examinar más cuidadosamente

Dios todopoderoso que creó el todo el universo de la

esta transformación. Berengario era un teólogo

nada puede ciertamente convertir el pan y el vino en

Francés que enseñaba que la Eucaristía era sólo un

la Eucaristía: Hemos leído concerniente a la creación

símbolo o figura del Cuerpo y la Sangre de Cristo,

de todo el mundo: él habló y fueron creados, él ordenó

que las palabras “Éste es mi cuerpo” y “Ésta es la

y fueron creados. “La palabra de Cristo, que pudo

copa de mi sangre” eran para tomarse solamente

en un sentido metafórico, y que las palabras de

substancia de la sangre de Cristo. Por donde se ve

consagración realmente no causaban que el pan y el

que esta conversión no es formal, sino sustancial…su

vino cambiaran en el Cuerpo y la Sangre de Cristo.

nombre propio es el de transubstanciación.” (Summa

Un concilio en Roma condenó sus enseñanzas,

theologiae III, q. 75, a. 4). Más aun, dice Santo Tomás,

y se le pidió a Berengario que se retractará de su

aunque la substancia del pan y el vino se convierte

posición y declarará bajo juramento que él iba a

en la substancia del cuerpo y la sangre de Cristo en

aceptar la fe de la Iglesia que en las palabras de

la consagración, “todos los accidentes del pan y el

consagración, el pan y el vino puestos en el altar son

vino permanecen” (Summa theologiae III, q. 75, a. 5).

“substancialmente transformados en el verdadero

LA REFORMA PROTESTANTE Y LA RESPUESTA

y propio cuerpo de nuestro Señor Jesucristo que da

CATÓLICA

la vida” (Concilio de Roma en 1079, Juramento de

Berengario). Después de este tiempo, los teólogos

urante la Reforma Protestante en el siglo XVI, la

católicos en el siglo XII usaron regularmente los

doctrina de la transubstanciación se convirtió

términos transsubstantiatio (“transubstanciación”) y

en un asunto de controversia. Los reformadores

transsubstantiare (“transubstanciate”) para describir

Protestantes uniformemente rechazaron la doctrina

el cambio actual del pan y el vino en la Eucaristía. El

de la transubstanciación, aunque ellos no estaban

primer término oficial usado por un papa fue por el

de acuerdo en cuestión a la presencia real de Cristo

Papa Inocencio III en 1198, y después por un concilio

en la Eucaristía. Hubo tres posiciones principales

ecuménico, el Cuarto Concilio Laterano, en 1215.

heréticas (Lutero, Calvin, Zwingli): Martin Lutero

Para el siglo XIII, el término “transubstanciación”

admitía la presencia real de Cristo en la Eucaristía,

se convirtió en la norma teológica para describir el

pero rechazaba la transubstanciación y enseñó que

cambio. En el siglo XIII, por ejemplo, Santo Tomás

la substancia glorificada del cuerpo y la sangre de

de Aquino y su obra maestra teológica, la Summa

Cristo coexiste “en, con, y bajo” la substancia del pan

theologiae, ofreció una clásica formulación de la

y el vino. Esto es llamado “consubstanciación” y hoy

doctrina de la transubstanciación en términos de

en día es aún una posición oficial del Luteranismo.

las categorías aristotélicas de ser: substancia y

Juan Calvino negó la presencia substancial de Cristo

accidentes. Según Santo Tomás, en las palabras de la

en la Eucaristía, y pensó que el Cuerpo y la Sangre de

consagración por el poder de Dios, “toda la sustancia

Cristo están presentes en la Eucaristía “virtualmente,”

del pan se convierte en toda la substancia del cuerpo

eso es, por un poder procedente de Cristo en el cielo

de Cristo, y toda la sustancia del vino, en toda la

que pasa a través de la Eucaristía a los fieles. Esto es

semejante a la manera que los católicos reconocen el

de la transubstanciación sin que necesariamente

poder de Cristo en obra a través de la Biblia, incluso

respalde todos los aspectos de su uso de las categorías

mientras niegan su presencia substancial. Huldrych

aristotélicas para explicar la doctrina. La enseñanza

Zwingli se refiere a la Eucaristía como solamente un

de Trento resume la fe constante de la Iglesia en

símbolo o figura del cuerpo y la sangre de Cristo, y

la doctrina de la transubstanciación (CCC 1376).

por lo tanto rechazó completamente la presencia real

LA FILOSOFÍA NOS AYUDA A ENTENDER LA

de Cristo en la Eucaristía. Ésta es la visión más común

DOCTRINA

que la mayoría de los protestantes tienen hoy en día.

¿C

Es falso con respecto a la Eucaristía, sin embargo

ómo vamos a entender esta enseñanza? En

es cierto para ellos en sus propios servicios de

primer lugar cabe señalar que la realidad puede

adoración ya que ellos no tienen sacerdotes ordenados

dividirse en dos categorías básicas de ser: substancia y

válidamente que pueden consagrar la Eucaristía. Confrontado

con

desafío

accidentes. El término “substancia” puede ser definido como “aquello que existe sobre todo y de sí mismo.”

enseñanza

Substancia se refiere simplemente a un tipo natural de

herética de los reformadores, el Concilio de Trento

lo que existe en su propio derecho—ej., un árbol, una

emitió un decreto en el Santísimo Sacramento de

Eucaristía

ofreciendo

enseñanza

roca, un perro, un hombre. Substancia corresponde

católica

aproximadamente con la naturaleza o esencia de

autoritativa en la doctrina de la transubstanciación:

una cosa. Un perro, por ejemplo, es esencialmente la

Porque Cristo, nuestro Redentor, dijo que

misma cosa, sea café o negro, pequeño o grande, de

lo que ofrecía bajo la especie de pan era

pie o sentado. El perro existe en su propio derecho y no

verdaderamente su Cuerpo, se ha mantenido

existe en otra cosa. Hay otras categorías de ser referido

siempre en la Iglesia esta convicción, que

como “accidentes.” Un accidente puede definirse

declara de nuevo el Santo Concilio: por la

como “que existe en otro cosa y no de sí mismo.” A

consagración del pan y del vino se opera la

diferencia de una substancia, los accidentes dependen

conversión de toda la substancia del pan en

de substancias para su existencia y funcionamiento.

la substancia del Cuerpo de Cristo nuestro

Color, tamaño, peso, forma y posición son todas

Señor y de toda la substancia del vino en la

las categorías accidentales de ser encontradas en

substancia de su Sangre; la Iglesia católica ha

substancias. Por ejemplo, los accidentes “café”,

llamado justa y apropiadamente a este cambio

“grande” y “dormir” son aspectos reales de ser, pero no

transubstanciación.”

lo mismo que el perro en el cual ellos son inherentes.

(Sess.

XIII,

cap.

iv).

Más adelante, Trento enseñó que el pan y el vino que

La substancia y los accidentes van juntos. Uno

se han convertido en el Cuerpo y la Sangre de Cristo

nunca encuentra en esta vida en la tierra una

solamente permanecen en apariencia o “especies”

substancia sin accidentes inherentes en él, ni un

de pan y vino (Sess. XIII, can. 2). Aún más, Trento

accidente que no es un accidente de una substancia.

declaró que quién rechaza la transubstanciación y

Cada perro, por ejemplo, tiene un color, tamaño,

afirma que en la Eucaristía la sustancia del pan y del

forma, lugar, etcétera. Del mismo modo, uno

vino siguen estando junto con el Cuerpo y la Sangre

nunca encontraría el accidente “café” o “alto” o

de Cristo o que Cristo sólo está simbólicamente

“circular”, existiendo independientemente de una

presente en la Eucaristía como signo o figura, o

substancia. Por el contrario, los accidentes siempre

que Cristo está sólo presente en la Eucaristía por su

se encuentran en una substancia. Las substancias

poder, esa persona es sacada de la iglesia porque él

siempre aparecen a nuestros sentidos a través de

no profesa la fe verdadera (Sess. XIII, can. 1–2). El

sus accidentes. Mientras que nuestra mente puede

Concilio de Trento adopta lo que dice Santo Tomás

percibir indirectamente la substancia de una cosa,

nuestros sentidos perciben directamente sólo los

ve blanco, redondo, y delgado y sabe cómo pan. De

accidentes como su forma, color, y tamaño. La

igual manera, debido a que los accidentes del vino

substancia luego se manifiesta a nosotros a través

permanecen, la Sangre Eucarística de Cristo aún

de sus accidentes o la manera que nos “parece.”

se ve, huele, y sabe cómo vino. Según la enseñanza

Hay sólo dos tipos de cambio en la naturaleza:

común de la Iglesia, los accidentes de pan y vino

accidental y substancial. En el cambio accidental,

no son inherentes en el Cuerpo y la Sangre de Cristo

la substancia permanece igual pero hay un cambio

o cualquier otra substancia en lo absoluto, pero

accidente inherente así la cosa asume una nueva

son sostenidas en existencia sólo por el poder

apariencia.

una

de Dios. Los católicos creen en esta milagrosa

complexión clara que sale al sol brillante por un

conversión del pan y el vino en el Cuerpo y la Sangre

tiempo se quema. La piel de color blanco cambia a

de Cristo por la fe en la palabra revelada de Dios

Por

ejemplo,

hombre

con

una piel de color rojizo sin que haya ningún tipo de

como la interpreta la Iglesia. Éste es un misterio

cambio substancial en el hombre. Él sólo se mira

supernatural más allá de lo que nuestro razonamiento

diferente debido al cambio accidental. En un cambio

puede captar por su cuenta, pero no se opone a

substancial, hay un cambio de una substancia a otra

la razón ya que podemos entender algo de esto.

substancia. Como un ejemplo, si un hombre se come una manzana, toda la substancia es cambiada en otra

substancia como es injerida dentro del hombre. Con

transubstanciación

significa

que

consagración el pan es convertido en el Cuerpo

un cambio substancial, porque todos los accidentes

de Cristo y el vino es convertido en la Sangre de

se implican en la substancia, cuando la substancia

Cristo, ¿Porque los católicos creen que todo Cristo

cambia también los accidentes. Cuando el hombre

está completamente presente en ambas especies,

se come la manzana, sus accidentes como el color,

“Cuerpo, Sangre, Alma, y Divinidad”? Esto puede ser

forma, sabor y textura también cambian, a causa del cambio de la substancia que ellos adquieren.

explicado por la doctrina relacionada detenidamente

UN CASO TOTALMENTE ÚNICO

por eso cuando el pan es convertido en su Cuerpo,

de la concomitancia. Cristo es un ser indivisible,

n cada ejemplo de cambio substancial en la

el resto de su ser sigue, incluyendo su Sangre, Alma

naturaleza, los accidentes también cambian. Sin

y Divinidad, así que todo Cristo se hace presente.

embargo, este no es el caso con el totalmente caso

De la misma manera, cuando el vino es convertido

único de la transubstanciación. La doctrina de la

en su Sangre, el resto de su ser sigue, incluyendo

transubstanciación enseña que en la consagración

su Cuerpo, Alma y Divinidad. Mientras que la

toda la substancia del pan es cambiada en la

transubstanciación solamente se refiere al cambio

substancia del Cuerpo de Cristo, y toda la substancia

del pan en el Cuerpo de Cristo y el vino en la Sangre

del vino es cambiada en la substancia de la Sangre de

Cristo, pero los accidentes o “especies” de pan y vino

Cristo,

simultáneamente

redondea

nuestro

entendimiento al mostrar como el resto de Cristo

permanecen sin efecto e iguales. La consagración

sigue, por lo tanto, todo Cristo esta real, verdadera, y

cambia solamente la substancia, pero nuestros

substancialmente presente en la Eucaristía “Cuerpo,

sentidos aun perciben los accidentes del pan y el

Sangre,

vino. Lo que esto significa es que la Eucaristía aun

Alma,

Divinidad.”

Como

asunto

aparece ante nuestros sentidos como pan y vino,

práctico, por lo tanto, cuando los católicos reciben

aunque por la fe nosotros creemos que son el Cuerpo

la Eucaristía en la Sagrada Comunión bajo cualquier

y la Sangre de Cristo. Ya que los accidentes del pan

especie de pan o especie de vino, pueden confiar

permanecen, el Cuerpo Eucarístico de Cristo aún se

que están recibiendo a Jesucristo en su totalidad. †

LAS ESCRITURAS Y LA EUCARISTÍA POR LUKE HEINSTCHEL, M.A.

Nota del Autor: Cuando tenía 19 años, tuve una experiencia profunda del Señor en la adoración ante el Santísimo Sacramento. Antes de ese punto, yo creía en las enseñanzas de la Iglesia, pero no tenía el deseo de permitirles cambiar mi vida. Orando ante el Santísimo Sacramento, me di cuenta de que yo necesitaba reformar muchos aspectos de mi vida para amar a Dios con todo mi corazón, alma, fuerzas, y espíritu (Lucas 10:27). Esta realización me guió a perseguir mi maestría en Teología Bíblica, entonces realmente podría amar a Dios con todo mi espíritu. Es mi esperanza que todos los que lean el siguiente artículo puedan comprometer su espíritu a una búsqueda similar. Al leerlo, comprometa su mente y siga junto con las Escrituras. De esta manera usted puede practicar a amar a Dios con todo su ser.

esús está realmente

símbolo?

presente

preguntas, es necesario acudir a la

y la Eucaristía, les decía, “Si

Eso

Palabra de Dios para descubrir la

no recuerdan nada más de mi clase

Eucaristía.

Para

contestar

estas

obviamente

verdad. Podría haber bibliotecas

una declaración muy audaz; y

enteras llenas con la evidencia

muchos cristianos no lo creen.

bíblica de la presencia real de

¡Es la enseñanza oficial de la

Jesús en la Eucaristía. En este

Iglesia

artículo, me gustaría enfocarme

Católica,

sin

embargo,

estudios muestran que ni siquiera

solamente

muchos

claves, pero haremos referencia

cristianos

católicos

creen! ¿Porque, enseña la Iglesia Católica

esta

controversial

doctrina? ¿La inventó la Iglesia? ¿Es

solamente

una

metáfora?

¿Es la Eucaristía solamente un

algunos

otros

textos

importantes.

acerca

menos

Escritura

recuerden

abrir su Biblia en Juan 6 para la enseñanza de Jesús en la Eucaristía.” El capítulo sexto de Juan es primordial para nuestro entendimiento de la presencia real de Jesús en la Eucaristía. El pasaje es muy largo para

JUAN 6 — PASCUA, 32AD

natal

reimprimirlo aquí, sin embargo a

yo le recomiendo abrir su Biblia y

adolescentes en mi parroquia

seguir mientras que va leyendo.

uando

solía

enseñar

Los

siguientes

eventos

otro milagro (y quizás algo más de

daré es mi carne para la Vida

pasaron alrededor de la fiesta

alimento gratis). Jesús respondió

del mundo.” (Juan 6:49-51)

antes

al decirles que él mismo es el

crucifixión de Cristo.

pan verdadero bajado del cielo

de la

Pascua

año

En Juan 6:1-15, encontramos a Juan diciéndonos la historia de la multiplicación del pan y los pescados. Jesús “tomó” los panes y “dio gracias” (ĕucharistĕsas) antes de realizar este milagro del pan y

(Juan 6:32-40). En este punto en la historia Jesús está usando “pan” y “comer” como una metáfora para

creer

él.

Debemos

tener fe para ser alimentados por Cristo, el pan de la vida.

En este punto, Jesús cambia su retórica. Ya no está usando “pan”

y “comer” como metáfora para creer en él. Ahora el creer es requerido

para

comprender

resto de su sermón. Los judíos lo entendieron cambiando el sentido, e

incluso

discutían

entre

sí,

la carne (la carne de los pescados).

Cuando los judíos dudaron de su

“¿Cómo este hombre puede darnos

En Juan 6:16-21, encontramos a

origen celestial en los versículos

a comer su carne?” (Juan 6:52).

Jesús proclamándose a sí mismo

41-42, Jesús responde al decir que

como ser divino al caminar sobre

ellos deben creer en él para tener

el agua. El Antiguo Testamento

vida eterna.

enseña que solamente Dios puede

pan de Vida.” Después hace su

caminar sobre el mar (Job 9:1-11).

enseñanza más enfática. Diciendo,

Después, en Juan 6:22-34, los

“Sus padres, en el desierto,

su sangre para poder tener vida

judíos que habían comido del pan

comieron el maná y murieron.

eterna. Jesús vuelve a repetir

que Jesús multiplicó le pidieron

Pero este es el pan que

más que en ningún otro lugar en

más del pan milagroso (Juan 6:30-

desciende

para

el Nuevo Testamento. Él repite

31). Ellos citaron la historia del

que aquel que lo coma no

esta enseñanza cinco veces una y

Antiguo Testamento cuando Dios

muera. Yo soy el pan vivo

otra vez en sólo pocos versículos.

les llovió milagrosamente el pan

bajado

que

Jesús está diciéndonos que esto

bajado del cielo a través de Moisés.

coma

vivirá

es una enseñanza importante.

Ellos esperaban que Jesús les diera

eternamente, y el pan que yo

del de

Él dice, “Yo soy el

del

cielo,

cielo. este

pan

Cristo entonces les aclara, sin embargo está

hablando

para en

decir

que

parábola

metáfora. Él dice que nosotros

debemos comer su carne y beber

También

cambia

lenguaje.

Antes, la palabra Griega para “comer” que él

No, Jesús no corrigió su malentendido porque no

estaba usando básicamente se traducía a “comer.”

hubo malentendido. Jesús enseñó que sus seguidores

Ahora, él está usando una palabra más grafica que

literalmente deben comer su carne y beber su sangre.

puede significar “roer o masticar.” Este cambio

Jesús les permite que se vayan, y luego voltea hacia

de palabra indica que él ya no está hablando

sus discípulos más cercanos y les pregunta si ellos

en metáfora. Tenemos que comer realmente su

también se quieren ir, como diciendo, yo no voy a

carne. Dice, “Mi carne es la verdadera comida

cambiar en este tema. Pedro responde, no al decir

y mi sangre, la verdadera bebida” (Juan 6:55).

que él entiende la enseñanza, aunque es misteriosa y controversial, pero que él cree debido a quien Jesús es.

En los versículos 60-65, Jesús entonces aclara que

Para

sería su cuerpo resucitado el que comeríamos.

menos

Él no les está pidiendo a sus seguidores que lo canibalicen.

año

siguiente,

seguidores,

Jesús

quizás

tenía los

muchos

pocos

que

retuvo estaban más que un poco confundidos.

Por el poder del Espíritu, podemos

Exactamente un año después de este sermón,

comer su cuerpo crucificado, resucitado, y ascendido,

Jesús celebró una fiesta especial de Pascua con

completamente

sus discípulos. Fue la noche anterior a su muerte.

enteramente

(sin

que

tenga

que morir otra vez). Es por eso que la Eucaristía

LA INSTITUCIÓN NARRATIVA — PASCUA, 33AD

no es canibalismo: Jesús no muere cuando lo

l final de Juan 6, los pocos discípulos que

consumimos. En su lugar, él vive en nosotros.

quedaron están en un estado de confusión. La

Finalmente, enseñanza

en fue

Juan tan

6:66,

leemos

controversial

que

esta

mayoría de ellos confían en Jesús, pero no entienden

“muchos

mucho como él podía afirmar lo que dijo. Un año

de sus discípulos se alejaron de él y dejaron de

más tarde, les da la solución a esta confusión.

acompañarlo.” Si Jesús estuviera hablando en sentido

Veamos

figurado, les hubiera corregido su malentendido. Sabemos que él lo hubiera hecho porque eso

Pascua

es exactamente lo que hizo en Mateo 16:11-12.

Aquí

Mateo 26:26-29 Mientras comían, Jesús tomó el pan, pronunció la bendición, lo partió y lo dio a sus discípulos, diciendo: “Tomen y coman, esto es mi Cuerpo.” 27 Después tomó una copa, dio gracias y se lo entregó, diciendo: “Beban todos de él, 28 porque esta es mi Sangre, la Sangre de la Alianza, que se derrama por muchos para la remisión de los pecados. 29 Les aseguro que desde ahora no beberé más de este fruto de la vid, hasta el día en que beba con ustedes el vino nuevo en el Reino de mi Padre.” 26

historia

Eucaristía.

Marcos 14:22-25

Esto

noche

está

que

Mientras comían, Jesús tomo el pan, pronunció la bendición, lo partió y lo dio a sus discípulos, diciendo: “Tomen, esto es mi Cuerpo.” 23 Después tomó una copa, dio gracias y se la entregó, y todos bebieron de ella. 24 Y les dijo: “Esta es mi Sangre, la Sangre de la Alianza, que se derrama por muchos. 25 Les aseguro que no beberé más del fruto de la vid hasta el día en que beba el vino nuevo en el Reino de Dios.”

Luego tomó el pan, dio gracias, lo partió y lo dio a sus discípulos, diciendo: “Esto es mi Cuerpo, que se entrega por ustedes. Hagan esto en memoria mía.” 20 Después de la cena hizo lo mismo con la copa, diciendo: “Esta copa es la Nueva Alianza sellada con mi Sangre, que se derrama por ustedes.” 19

instituyendo

durante

anterior nos

Lucas 22:19-20

Jesús

pasó

dice

su la

cena

la de

muerte. Escritura:

1 Corintios 11:23-26 Lo que yo recibí del Señor, y a mi vez les he transmitido, es lo siguiente: El Señor Jesús, la noche en que fue entregado, tomó el pan, 24 dio gracias, lo partió y dijo: “Esto es mi Cuerpo, que se entrega por ustedes. Hagan esto en memoria mía.” 25 De la misma manera, después de cenar, tomó la copa, diciendo: “Esta copa es la Nueva Alianza que se sella con mi Sangre. Siempre que la beban, háganlo en memoria mía.” 26 Y así, siempre que coman este pan y beban esta copa, proclamarán la muerte del Señor hasta que él vuelva. 23

Por lo tanto aquí tenemos la misma historia de tres

Testamento Hebreo: “tôdâ” (pronunciada todah). El

Evangelios y una de San Pablo. Todas contienen la

tôdâ era un sacrificio para Dios de alabanza y acción

misma historia básica: Jesús identificó un pan ácimo

de gracias.

y una copa de vino como su cuerpo y su sangre.

preventivas gracias a Dios por sacar a la persona de

La Escritura está enseñando con empatía que la

algún tipo de problema. Algunos de los Salmos son

Eucaristía es su cuerpo y su sangre. Es importante ir

Era usualmente ofrecido como unas

salmos de “acción de gracias”, y eran para cantarse

un poco más profundo para descifrar exactamente

mientras se ofrecía el sacrificio tôdâ. El salmo más

lo que está pasando aquí. Hay mucho que decir,

famoso del tôdâ es el que Jesús oró en la cruz, el

pero me gustaría hacer cuatro puntos específicos.

Salmo 22. Por lo tanto la Eucaristía es el sacrificio

Primero, encontramos aquí la razón por la que

de acción de gracias de Jesús (y nuestro), el cual

llamamos a este sacramento la “Eucaristía.” Así

él culmina al cantar un salmo del tôdâ en la cruz.

como en el milagro de la multiplicación de Juan 6, la

Segundo,

Escritura dice que Jesús “dio gracias.” Estas palabras,

Jesús

originalmente escritas en griego, usaron la palabra

“tomó,”

pasaje

anterior,

leemos

“bendijo,”

“partió,”

que

“dio”

ĕucharistĕō, que es de donde sacamos el

pan. El hecho de que estas cuatro palabras van

término “Eucaristía.” Esta palabra significa “dar

juntas es significativo. ¡La única otra parte en

gracias,” por eso es una cena de acción de gracias.

la Biblia que van todas así juntas en cuando

Al igual había una palabra para esto en el Antiguo

Jesús

griega,

realizó

milagro

multiplicación!

El milagro de la multiplicación Matteo 14:19-20

Marcos 6:40-42

Y después de ordenar a la multitud que se sentara sobre el pasto, tomó los cinco panes y los dos pescados, y levantando los ojos al cielo, pronunció la bendición, partió los panes, los dio a sus discípulos, y ellos los distribuyeron entre la multitud. 20 Todos comieron hasta saciarse. 19

Lucas 9:16-17 tomó los cinco panes y los dos pescados y, levantando los ojos al cielo, pronunció sobre ellos la bendición, los partió y los fue entregando a sus discípulos para que se los sirviera a la multitud. 17 Todos comieron hasta saciarse.

y la gente se sentó en grupos de cien y de cincuenta. 41 Entonces él tomó los cinco panes y los dos pescados, y levantando los ojos al cielo, pronunció la bendición, partió los panes y los dio a sus discípulos para que los distribuyeran. También repartió los dos pescados entre la gente. 42 Todos comieron hasta saciarse. 40

Los escritores del Evangelio nos están diciendo que

que es la comida!

hay algo similar entre el milagro y la Eucaristía. Yo

es sólo un simbolismo. ¡Esto es un gran milagro!

creo que no hay ninguna razón para decir que el pan

Tercero,

y el vino de la Ultima Cena fueron multiplicados.

podemos

encontrar

que

Entonces ¿qué es lo que hace a estos dos similares?

único

sacrificio

¡Ambos

son

multiplicación,

milagros Jesús

supernaturales! multiplica

son

historia

uno

Jesús la

está

cruz. un

última

cena,

ofreciendo

¡La

Eucaristía

mismo

sacrificio!

Sabemos que era una cena de Pascua. Eso es obvio

solamente

unos pocos panes para alimentar a miles.

cruz

Esto no es una metáfora. No

del contexto de cada uno de los Evangelios (ver Mat

16:17-25; Mar 14:12-21; Lucas 22:7-13). En las cenas

la Ultima Cena, él dice claramente: “Este es mi

de Pascua, los judíos debían de beber ritualmente

cuerpo… esta es mi sangre.” ¡El milagro aquí en

cuatro copas de vino por toda la tarde.

realidad es Jesús efectuando un cambio en lo

eruditos creen que encontramos evidencia en el

Algunos

Nuevo Testamento que la copa la cual Jesús identificó

Jesús les dice a sus apóstoles que “hagan esto” en

con su sangre fue la tercera de estas cuatro copas.

memoria de él. Nosotros recordamos a Jesús al

Luego en la cruz, vemos a Jesús tomando otra vez

hacerlo presente real y verdaderamente en la Misa.

antes de que proclame “Todo se ha cumplido” (Juan 19:30). ¡Jesús pausó la cena de la Pascua después

CONCLUSIÓN

de la Eucaristía (Mar 14:25), luego el terminó en la y la Eucaristía son uno en un mismo sacrificio!

Cuarto, Jesús dice que esta copa es su “Sangre de la

como un nuevo tipo de Pascua para los cristianos.

alianza.” Esta es una frase interesante y solamente

Es el único sacrificio de Jesús en la cruz. No se le da

aparece muy raramente en la Escritura, aunque el

muerte a Jesús una y otra vez en nuestros altares.

tema de la “alianza” puede encontrarse en la Escritura.

El sacrificio de una vez y por todas de la cruz se hace

stos pasajes deben inspirar la fe en la enseñanza

cruz! ¡Estos no son dos eventos separados; la cruz

de la Iglesia Católica en la Sagrada Eucaristía.

Jesús la instituyó en la noche anterior a su muerte

Jesús está señalándonos a la historia del Éxodo 24,

presente, realmente presente en cada Misa, por el

donde Moisés establece una alianza entre Dios y los Israelitas.

poder del Espíritu Santo, en nuestros altares. Es la

Moisés rocía sangre en el altar (el altar

comida milagrosa que es compartida íntimamente por

simboliza a Dios) y en el pueblo de Israel lo cual

la familia. Nosotros estamos invitados a unirnos a la

indica que ellos compartían un vínculo. Dios e Israel

familia de Dios a través de la nueva alianza establecida

se han convertido en una familia. Esto es lo que es una alianza: establece vínculos familiares entre dos

por Cristo. Ser parte de la familia de Dios significa

partes que no son biológicamente relacionadas. Dos

compartir en esta comida. Sin embargo no es sólo una

ejemplos de alianzas de hoy son el matrimonio y la

comida. La Eucaristía es verdaderamente el cuerpo y

adopción. Cuando Moisés rocía la sangre, exclama,

la sangre de Jesús. Jesús está presente místicamente

“Esta es la sangre de la alianza” (Éxodo 24:8). Dios

pero verdadera y literalmente en nuestros altares,

y los Israelitas luego comparten una comida intima

en nuestros sagrarios, y dentro de nosotros cuando

celestial después de esta ceremonia de la alianza (Ex

lo recibimos bajo las apariencias del pan y el vino.

24:9-11). Jesús establece la nueva alianza, donde Dios y su pueblo (los cristianos) se convierten una familia

La realidad de esta enseñanza trasformó mi vida.

al compartir la sangre y una comida (la comunión).

Fue ante el Santísimo Sacramento que yo recibí el llamado de Dios para ser un maestro de la fe. La

Estos cuatro puntos de la Escritura nos muestran

Eucaristía es la fuente de la vida cristiana: es donde

cuando Jesús dice, “Esto es mi cuerpo,” y “Esta es

recibimos la vida de Cristo dentro de nosotros. Es

mi sangre,” que él les estaba dando a los discípulos el gran regalo de su presencia real. Es así como él

también la cumbre, o el punto más alto de nuestra

permanece con nosotros incluso después de que

vida. Es el lugar donde el cielo y la tierra se juntan,

el ascendió al cielo (Mat 28:20). Esta es su solución

donde Dios y el hombre se unen, cuando el hombre

para la confusión en el final de Juan 6. Finalmente,

y Dios se sientan a la mesa para la comida familiar. †

EL ÚLTIMO ENCUENTRO DE JESÚS CON SUS

MANTIENE SU PROMESA—ÉL ESTÁ CON NOSOTROS

LA INTERCESIÓN DE LOS SANTOS

EN EL SANTÍSIMO SACR AMENTO, EN CUERPO Y

AMANDA MARTINEZ BECK

DISCÍPULOS ANTES DE L A ASCENSIÓN TERMINA CON ESTAS PAL ABR AS: “Y YO ESTARÉ SIEMPRE CON USTEDES HASTA EL FIN DEL MUNDO” (MATEO 28:20). EN EL SACR AMENTO DE L A EUCARISTÍA , ÉL

SANGRE, ALMA Y DIVINIDAD. PODEMOS PR ACTICAR L A DE VOCIÓN A L A EUCARISTÍA EN MUCHAS MANER AS--ADOR ACIÓN, HOR AS SANTAS, TIEMPO CON EL SANTÍSIMO SACR AMENTO, Y CONGRESOS EUCARÍSTICOS.

TAMBIÉN

PODEMOS

PEDIR

INTERCESIÓN DE LOS SANTOS QUE TENÍAN UNA ESPECIAL DE VOCIÓN A L A EUCARISTÍA .

SAN NORBERTO DE XANTEN (1080-1134) Norberto nació en una familia noble en Alemania, que era parte del Santo Imperio Romano. Originalmente, el no quería hacerse sacerdote, sin embargo una experiencia cercana de la muerte causó que reconsiderará su llamado. Él fundó el Monasterio de Furstenberg y se hizo un devoto de la Eucaristía y de Nuestra Señora. Con el permiso del Papa Gelasio II, Norberto se hizo un predicador ambulante. Subsecuentemente pasaba tiempo en la ciudad de Antwerp, que había caído en una herejía eucarística enseñada por los seguidores de Tanchelino, un predicador anticlerical que enseñaba en contra de la Presencia Real de Cristo en la Eucaristía. Norberto fue canonizado en 1582 por el Papa Gregorio XIII durante la Contrarreforma, cuando la doctrina de la Presencia Real estuvo bajo el ataque de los Reformadores. El día de la fiesta de san Norberto es el 6 de junio. San Norberto, ruega por nosotros, para que nuestro amor y devoción a la Presencia Real de Cristo en la Eucaristía se profundice y acerque a otros a Cristo.

SANTA JULIANA DE LIÈGE (1192-1258) Juliana quedó huérfana cuando niña, junto con su hermana Inés, en Lieja (presente-día Bélgica). Fue cuidada en Mont-Cornillon y entró a la orden norbertina a la edad de 16 años. Juliana trabajó en el leprosorio y también desarrolló una profunda devoción a la Eucaristía, parcialmente en conexión a las visiones místicas que experimentó concerniente al Santísimo Sacramento. El Canónigo John de Lausana fue un buen amigo de Juliana, y trabajó con ella compartiendo su visión con sus contactos en la Iglesia, incluyendo Giacomo Pantaleón de Troyes que más tarde se convertiría en el Papa Urbano IV. Con la aprobación de autoridades religiosas locales, el Canónigo John y Juliana empezaron a trabajar en el Oficio para la fiesta del Cuerpo y Sangre de Jesucristo, Animarum cibus. En 1246, el obispo Roberto de Lieja instituyó la Fiesta en su diócesis, y en 1264 el Papa Urbano IV decreto que la Fiesta de Corpus Christi sería celebrada por completo en todo el Rito en Latín. Fue la primera fiesta autorizada por un papa para el uso universal. Santa Juliana fue canonizada en 1869 por el Papa Pio IX y su el día de su fiesta es el 6 de abril. Santa Juliana, ruega por nosotros para tener un profundo amor por la Eucaristía y para celebrarla con alegría y acción de gracias.

SANTA CLARA DE ASÍS (1194-1253) La fundadora de la Damas Pobres, Santa Clara de Asís nació en el siglo XII en Italia y fue una de las primeras seguidoras de San Francisco. Ella y las hermanas religiosas que guiaba hicieron un voto de extrema pobreza y vivían de la generosidad de aquellos a su alrededor. Clara era devota de la Eucaristía y por su intercesión, el convento de San Damiano fue salvado por su poder. En 1240, el ejército mercenario de Sarraceno, bajo la orden de Federico II de Suecia, atacaron el monasterio en Asís. Clara oró por la protección del Señor y sostuvo la custodia con el Cuerpo de Cristo en las paredes donde los Sarracenos iban avanzando. Por el poder de Dios en el Santísimo Sacramento, los Sarracenos huyeron y el monasterio y la ciudad de Asís fueron salvados. Clara fue canonizada en 1255 por el Papa Alejandro IV y su día de fiesta es el 11 de agosto. Santa Clara, ruega por nosotros para que podamos llenarnos con el valor y la esperanza que da el Santísimo Sacramento.

SANTO TOMÁS DE AQUINO (1225-1274) A petición del Papa Urbano IV en conexión con la Fiesta establecida del Cuerpo y Sangre de Cristo, Santo Tomás de Aquino compuso el hermoso himno acerca de la Eucaristía en 1264, llamado el Pange Lingua. El himno expresa la hermosa verdad de la Presencia Real de la Eucaristía. Lea la letra posterior en latín y en español: Pange, lingua, gloriósi Córporis mystérium, Sanguinísque pretiósi, Quem in mundi prétium Fructus ventris generósi Rex effúdit géntium.

Canta lengua jubilosa el misterio del altar, de la sangre generosa y del cuerpo que es manjar. Los dio el Rey de las naciones para el mundo rescatar.

Nobis datus, nobis natus Ex intácta Vírgine, Et in mundo conversátus, Sparso verbi sémine, Sui moras incolátus Miro clausit órdine.

De María Virgen pura para dársenos nació, habitando en nuestro mundo como hermano nos habló. Y su paso entre nosotros en prodigio terminó.

In suprémæ nocte coenæ Recúmbens cum frátribus Observáta lege plene Cibis in legálibus, Cibum turbæ duodénæ Se dat suis mánibus.

En la cena postrimera hasta el fin llevó su amor, observando todo el rito que en la Ley se prescribió. Hizo su cuerpo comida y a los doce se entregó.

Verbum caro, panem verum Verbo carnem éfficit: Fitque sanguis Christi merum, Et si sensus déficit, Ad firmándum cor sincérum Sola fides súfficit.

Con palabra poderosa el Verbo Hijo de Dios, en su cuerpo y en su sangre, pan y vino transformó. Los sentidos no lo entienden, más la fe lo recibió.

Tantum ergo Sacraméntum Venerémur cérnui: Et antíquum documéntum Novo cedat rítui: Præstet fides suppleméntum Sénsuum deféctui.

A tan grande sacramento rindamos adoración, que en figuras anunciando plenamente se cumplió. Veneremos el misterio con la fe del corazón.

Genitóri, Genitóque Laus et jubilátio, Salus, honor, virtus quoque Sit et benedíctio: Procedénti ab utróque Compar sit laudátio. Amen. Alleluja.

A Dios Padre soberano y a su Hijo, el Señor, alabanza y gloria eternas e incesante bendición. Y al Espíritu divino eternos himnos de amor. Amen. Aleluya

PARA CONOCER, AMAR, Y SERVIR A JESUCRISTO CONSTITUCIÓN PARA LAS ESCUELAS CATÓLICAS EN LA DIÓCESIS DE TYLER POR ROBIN PERRY DIRECTORA DE LAS ESCUELAS CATÓLICAS DE TYLER Y DIRECTORA DE BISHOP GORMAN Y ST. GREGORY En la primavera del 2017, el Obispo Strickland le dio a las

mental de los estudiantes les permite un acercamiento más

escuelas católicas en la Diócesis de Tyler la declaración de

filosófico, debemos responder a las preguntas “¿Por qué?” de

misión más concisa que el posiblemente pudo escribir. Nos

Jesucristo que terminan con el conocimiento aplicado para

encargó ser “católicos sin vergüenza.” Básicamente, el ser

la ética y la moral en cómo vivir mejor una vida virtuosa.

una escuela católica sin vergüenza significa fomentar una

Sin embargo, los estudiantes no pueden sólo aprender

cultura donde todos conozcan, amen, y sirvan a Jesucristo.

acerca de Jesucristo en las clases de teología. El ser católicos

Esta cultura de conocer, amar, y servir a Jesucristo requiere

sin vergüenza significa enseñarles las relaciones entre fe

la participación de todos los miembros de la comunidad escolar: extendida,

estudiantes, feligreses,

padres,

miembros

religiosos,

sacerdotes,

y razón en todas las clases, y cómo se complementan hacia

familia

una comprensión del mundo más alta y más completa.

personal,

Cuanto más sabemos sobre el universo físico, cuanto

facultad, y administradores. Por esta razón, nadie discutirá

más podemos amar a su Creador. Cuanto más amamos

por este proselitismo, desaprobando, o trivializando a los

al Creador, más queremos saber sobre su creación.

demás que no están en completa comunión con nuestra

El ciclo de conocer y amar continúa infinitamente.

fe es una parte de esta definición. En su lugar, significa decir sin pena lo que Jesucristo es, y lo que significa

CATÓLICO SIN VERGÜENZA: PARA AMAR A JESUCRISTO

para un católico: conocer, amar, y servir a Jesucristo.

CATÓLICO SIN VERGÜENZA: PARA C O N O C E R A JESUCRISTO

Según San Pablo, si sabemos, pero no amamos, somos un platillo que resuena. Amar a alguien significa que hay cosas que nunca hare para ofender a esa persona.

¿Si nosotros no conocemos a alguien, como podemos

Amar al Señor Jesucristo ocurre ante todo en cómo

amarle? El primer paso en cualquier relación implica

vivimos nuestra vida cotidiana: “Si ustedes me aman,

pasar tiempo para llegar a conocer al otro. Para los

cumplirán mis mandamientos.” Amar a Jesús significa vivir

estudiantes, la mayor parte de cualquier día de escuela

virtuosamente: escogiendo hacer el bien y evitando el mal.

consiste en pasar tiempo para conocer a Jesucristo a través de las clases que toman, y por esta razón nuestras

Vivir una vida virtuosa presenta muchos retos en el mundo

escuelas siempre deben ser excelentes académicamente.

actual en que nos encontramos rodeados de ocasiones

Las clases de teología, en particular, se deben edificar una

cercanas al pecado. Sólo con la fuerza que viene de la

sobre la otra, contestando “¿Qué?” y más tarde “¿Por qué?”

oración y la recepción frecuente de los Sacramentos de

Primero debemos construir un fundamente catequético,

la Confesión y Sagrada Comunión recibimos la asistencia

arraigado en las Escrituras y los Padres de la Iglesia, que

divina necesaria para amar a Jesús a través de una vida

responda a las preguntas “¿Qué?” de Jesucristo. Después,

virtuosa. Por supuesto, en la Eucaristía nos encontramos con

en los últimos años de preparatoria cuando el desarrollo

el Amor Mismo en el Sagrado Corazón de Jesús. Además de

la Santa Misa, entonces, la exposición a otros devocionales

Más allá de la esfera del hogar y la escuela, los estudiantes

católicos deben ser una parte de la vida cotidiana de

de las escuelas católicas deben comprometerse al servicio

la escuela. Esta vida de oración, arraigada en la gracia

de la comunidad en general. Las últimas palabras de

santificante de los sacramentos, vuelve nuestras mentes

Jesús fueron a “vayan y hagan discípulos,” por lo que debemos facilitar las oportunidades para que la luz de

y corazones en un acto de amor virtuoso hacia Jesucristo.

Jesucristo brille para todos los del Este de Texas y más allá.

CATÓLICO SIN VERGÜENZA: PARA S E R V I R A JESUCRISTO

PASOS HACIA ADELANTE

El métrico final para ser un “católico sin vergüenza” es una

barreras

cultura de servicio cristiano para el prójimo que impregna

por lo que nuestras puertas deben siempre estar abiertas

Las escuelas católicas no son escuelas privadas que tienen para

entrar.

“Católico”

significa

“universal,”

para los que deseen darles a sus hijos una educación

el mismo ser de la escuela. Jesús dijo que al final del tiempo

católica. Sin embargo, el costo siempre en aumento de

seremos juzgados basado en nuestro servicio “al menor de

la instrucción hace la responsabilidad financiera más

estos.” Las enseñanzas de Jesús dejan claro que el catolicismo

difícil para que la mayoría de las familias envíen a sus

es más que una ideología es una forma de vida. Conocer

hijos a escuelas católicas. Ahora más que nunca, invito

el catolicismo no es lo mismo que ser católico, porque ser

a toda la comunidad católica para dar generosamente

católico incluye una vida de un feliz servicio a los demás.

para la educación del niño sentado a su lado en la banca.

La facultad, como una comunidad de educadores, viene

Tener

a la fruición completa al retar a nuestros estudiantes a

Diócesis no será de la noche a la mañana, pero esta meta

alcanzar su pleno potencial. Nuestro trabajo como maestros

es alcanzable. Ya que la facultad y el personal modelan sus

exige mucho de nosotros, nos esforzamos por pasar a cada

clases y sus vidas al modo de Jesucristo, la cultura del cuerpo

estudiante a alturas sin precedentes, dándoles oportunidades

estudiantil se amoldará. Nosotros como directores debemos

nunca antes consideradas. La facultad siembra la semilla en

continuar organizando retiros para nuestra facultad y

una

porción

que

“católicas

sin

vergüenza”

nuestra

personal por lo que puedan valorar su propio progreso

los corazones de sus alumnos, que un día ellos devolverán generosamente

escuelas

en dirección a convertirse en católicos sin vergüenza.

recibieron.

Siguiendo fielmente la gran imagen de la visión del

Los estudiantes, en sus interacciones virtuosas uno con

“católico sin vergüenza” que el Obispo Strickland ha dado

el otro, desarrollan hábitos de buenas costumbres. Esos

a las escuelas católicas requiere la participación paciente

mismos estudiantes llevan este comportamiento caritativo

de todos. Si no estamos unidos en este gran cambio, el

primero y ante todo a sus hogares. En el tiempo, del

ruido clamoroso atenúa el mensaje salvífico de Jesucristo.

crecimiento del hijo conduce al crecimiento de la familia,

Acompáñenme a formar discípulos de Jesucristo de toda la

por la formación de los niños familias se forman. A menudo

vida justo aquí en el Este de Texas, discípulos que conocerán,

la participación de los niños en la vida de una escuela

amarán y servirán a Jesucristo, discípulos que cambiarán

católica retrae a los padres a la práctica de la fe católica.

el mundo por lo mejor, salvando innumerables almas. †

La Escuela Católica St. Mary’s sirve a familias

La Escuela Católica St. Patrick fue fundada en 1955 por el Padre

de Longview y la mayor área del este de Texas al

Fred Julian, un misionero LaSalette. Para abrir la escuela St.

proporcionar educación Católica de calidad. St. Mary

Patrick, el Padre Julian envió cartas a más de 45,000 sacerdotes

ofrece una experiencia única de escuela católica, siendo

pidiéndoles $1.

una de las pocas escuelas en la nación que sirve a los

la historia, 2 sacerdotes de hecho respondieron en protesta al

grados K-12, además de educación de primera infancia.

Padre Julian por eso él les regresó $1.)

¡Pronto juntó más de $20,000!

(Como cuenta

Además de las cartas

enviadas, las familias de la parroquia limpiaron ladrillos

Como se denota en su misión declarada, la Escuela

usados de un viejo Hotel Bonner en Lufkin y los vendieron

Católica St. Mary’s está comprometida a asociarse con

para

las familias para formar a los niños para ser discípulos

comprar

ladrillos

nuevos

construir

escuela.

de Jesús que participen activamente en el Reino de

Hoy, St. Patrick ofrece una educación católica de calidad a

Dios, al formar la Fe, Becas, Liderazgo y Servicio.

estudiantes desde tres años de edad hasta el octavo grado. Los maestros y personal de St. Patrick reconocen que cada niño tiene

Fundada originalmente en 1948 como la Escuela

un talento distinto dado a ellos por Dios, y ellos desean educar

Católica St. Anthony’s en Longview, el terreno para el

por completo al niño, no sólo prepararlo para los exámenes

plantel presente fue comprado por el Monseñor Szapka

estandarizados. Los maestros en la escuela tienen tiempo

para acomodar el creciente número de estudiantes.

para instruir estudiantes no sólo enseñarles para el examen.

St. Mary’s fue dedicada en la Fiesta de la Inmaculada Concepción en 1968 y ha continuado creciendo. El

St. Patrick ofrece el currículo de matemáticas suplementario

programa de educación de primera infancia inicio en

Kumon

1986, y en el 2011 empezó el programa de preparatoria.

uno, que pone una computadora en las manos de cada soccer

currículo STEM, donde son enfatizadas la ciencia, tecnología, ingeniería, y matemáticas. St. Mary’s

St.

espera presentar un currículo STEAM, que incluya

el arte como una parte integral de la experiencia Además

para

ofrecer

las

tiene

una

iniciativa

Chromebook

uno

estudiante de secundaria. También, hay basquetbol y futbol

El curso presente en las escuelas en la nación es el

educativa.

disponible

Patrick gente

es de

para

una todos

los

estudiantes

comunidad

integrada

antecedentes,

los

de que

secundaria. recibe

estudiantes

a son

animados a ayudar en la comunidad a través de despensas

académicas

TAPPS, St. Mary’s ofrece programas de Español,

juntando

dinero

para

organizaciones

caritativas.

arte competitivo y fotografía. También ofrece una

Las familias en necesidad de asistencia financiera pueden

formación de actividades extracurriculares, incluyendo

llenar una solicitud disponible en la escuela, además de

futbol soccer, volibol, basquetbol, carreras, travesía

reunirse con el comité de finanzas. Más del 50% de los

de campo, tiro al arco, oro, anuario, y música.

estudiantes de St. Patrick reciben alguna cantidad de asistencia.

Para programar un recorrido por el plantel o tener a

Para aprender más acerca de la Escuela Católica St. Patrick, por

su hijo como sombra por un día, o si tiene preguntas

favor llame al 936-634-6719 o email (admin@stpatricklufkin.com).

acerca la asistencia financiera, por favor llame a nuestra

Encuentre a St. Patrick’s en Facebook (https://www.facebook.

registradora, Melinda Dunn, al 903-753-1657 ext. 116

com/stpatrickschoollufkin)

Instagram

(@stpatslufkin).

La Escuela Catedral St. Gregory en la escuela privada más

Desde que abrió sus puertas en septiembre de 1958, la

antigua en la ciudad de Tyler, sirviendo grados de Pre3K a-5to.

Escuela Católica Bishop Gorman ha estado comprometida

Fundada en 1946, seis monjas de las Hermanas Educadoras

a ofrecer a sus estudiantes una educación católica

de Notre Dame abrieron y emplearon personal para la

escuela, con el pastor, Padre. Vicente Wolf sirviendo como

Educadoras de Notre Dame que vinieron al Este de Texas

superintendente. La visión del Padre Wolf era “proporcionar

a enseñar a cientos de estudiantes, la escuela ahora hace

educación católica que desarrollará al niño por completo.”

calidad.

un alto valor en el desarrollo de la fe, excelencia académica,

Los

autodirección,

Bishop

personal,

auto

disciplina

como medios para desarrollar al estudiante por completo. St.

Gregory’s

evidentemente

una

escuela

empleaba

Hermanas

alarde de más de 350 estudiantes en los grados 6-12.

Esa visión permanece hoy en día cuando St. Gregory pone responsabilidad

Originalmente

estudiantes

que

Gorman

son

asisten

desafiados

Escuela

Católica

académicamente

están preparados para la Universidad y programas de entrenamiento de carreras. Para aquellos en la secundaria,

católica,

hay la oportunidad para participar en competencias

infundiendo el día escolar con los Discípulos de Cristo, el

académicas por la Asociación Interescolar de Escuelas

currículo Education in Virtue ®, que está estructurado en las

Privadas (PSIA), y la preparatoria ofrece más de treinta

enseñanzas de Santo Tomás de Aquino acerca de las virtudes

cursos de Advanced Placement (Colocación Avanzada).

y los dones del Espíritu Santo. Los estudiantes aprenden en clases de Religión cuatro veces a la semana y asisten a Misa

Las actividades co-curriculares incluyen: Embajadores,

semanalmente en la Catedral de Inmaculada Concepción,

Ministerio Estudiantil, Club de Drama, Anuario, Gobierno

localizada al lado. St. Gregory es la única Escuela de Listón Azul

Estudiantil, Club de Biología, Periodismo, Banda, Sociedad

de Excelencia en el Departamento de Educación de E.U. en Tyler,

Honoraria Nacional, Artes Visuales, Club de Pre-Med,

que pone la escuela en el alto 1% de las escuelas en la nación.

Club Pro-Vida, Equipo Académico, Coro, Tiro al Blanco, Club de Estudiantes Internacionales, Futbol, Travesía,

Además de las académicas vigorosas, St. Gregory ofrece clases de

Porristas, Equipo de Baile, Basquetbol, Soccer, Beisbol,

religión, español, música, drama, educación física, tecnología, y un

Softball, Volibol, Natación, Carreras y Campo, Tenis, y Golf.

programa de dislexia. Las actividades extracurriculares incluyen Coro, Violín, Acrobacia, Artes, y competencias académicas

misión

de la Asociación Interescolar de Escuelas Privadas (PSIA).

Gorman

primordial

proyectos de servicio de alcance que benefician a la comunidad. Ejemplos incluyen voluntarios en San Vicente de Paul, dando

cristiana.

cobijas

social,

por

los

estudiantes,

juntando

alimentos

enlatados, y sirviendo en la Cocina de Sopa en la Catedral. Para y con

preguntas asistencia la

concernientes financiera,

escuela

por

por teléfono

favor al:

Escuela

Católica

cumplimiento

Bishop del

Thomas

ministerio

educativo de la Iglesia Católica y tiene como su meta

La facultad, personal, estudiantes, y padres participan en

hechas

Para o

inscripción

Apunta

903-595-4109

cultural más

pedir página

continua

desarrollo dotes

información asistencia

comuníquese

formación

para escuela escuela,

moral,

físicas acerca

persona

intelectual,

del

instrucción, al

individuo. inscripción por

903-561-2424

favor visite

www.bishopgorman.net.

CATHOLIC EAST TEXAS HABLA CON EL PADRE JESSE ARROYAVE SOBRE EL PODER Y LA IMPORTANCIA DE LA PRESENCIA REAL DE JESÚS EN LA EUCARISTÍA

CET: Padre, ¿Puede Ud. darnos una historia breve de su vida?

puede fortalecer espiritual y físicamente. Además, quien recibe la Comunión dignamente también puede recibir el perdón de

Padre Jesse: Soy el padre Jesús Rodrigo Arroyave Múnera,

los pecados veniales y queda protegido en contra de todas las

pues en la diócesis me conocen como el Padre Jesse, gracias

asechanzas del maligno que lo pueden llevar a cometer pecados

al diácono José Hernández, en mi primera parroquia en

graves. Jesucristo en la Eucaristía es el signo de unidad que debe

Sulphur Springs, que cambió mi nombre muy amistosamente.

distinguir la Iglesia. Por lo tanto, nadie puede recibir la Sagrada

Desde entonces, he sido conocido como el Padre Jesse. Soy

Comunión si no está dispuesto a estar unido a la Iglesia, a la

colombiano. Vengo de una familia de muchos principios

parroquia, al señor obispo en la diócesis, y al Papa. Todos los que

católicos. Soy el último de diez hijos. Mis padres siempre

recibimos el cuerpo y la sangre de Jesucristo estamos también

nos formaron en la fe católica y participamos en todos los

llamados a vivir en caridad, en respeto, en paz, en harmonía,

eventos de la iglesia. Desde muy pequeño, estaba acerca de

como verdaderos hijos de Dios, el Padre excelentemente

la iglesia, desempañado varios servicios. Luego, estudié en

bueno quiere que todos sus hijos estemos viviendo como Él

el seminario menor, y después fui a la universidad de San

quiere, en el mandamiento del amor. Como Dios nos ama,

Buenaventura de Bogotá. Allí terminé la licenciatura de teología.

también nosotros debemos amar a todas las personas.

Los primeros años de sacerdocio ejercí en una comunidad

En la parroquia, seguimos trabajando en la concientización

religiosa y allí estuve trabajando en las vocaciones y, pues, en

de la presencia real de Jesús en la hostia consagrada, el

la formación de los religiosos. El Obispo Corrada me invitó

pan de la vida eterna. Su corazón tiene que arder con

ser parte de la diócesis de Tyler, y aquí estoy. Llevo seis años

alegría como en los peregrinos de Emaús que nos cuenta

en la parroquia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe en Tyler.

el evangelio de Lucas. Después de recibir la Sagrada Comunión, tenemos que ser consciente de que acabamos

Como sacerdote parroquial, ¿qué quiere Ud. que sus feligreses

estar en contacto e intimidad con Jesucristo, y podemos

sepan y experimenten de la Eucaristía y la Presencia Real?

hacer una acción de gracias mientras continua la Santa Misa.

La Eucaristía es la Presencia Real de nuestro Señor Jesucristo.

¿Tiene algo de decir a los jóvenes que están pensando en el

Y por eso, quien está al frente de la hostia consagrada, se

sacerdocio?

encuentra con el mismo Jesús de Nazaret de él, que nos hablan los evangelios. Quien recibe a Jesucristo en comunión en

Yo pongo mucha atención a este regalo de Dios, a este milagro

la Santa Misa está permitiendo que Dios—Padre, Hijo, y el

de la Eucaristía, en que Dios Padre entrega a su hijo para estar

Espíritu Santo—llene todo su ser. Al instituir el Sacramento

cerca de nosotros. En este plan, Dios ha involucrado también

de la Eucaristía, Jesucristo resucitado nos está cumpliendo la

los hombres de la comunidad para que continúen esta obra

promesa que hizo a sus discípulos de acompañarnos todos los

salvífica, y a través de los cuales, el Señor está consagrando

días hasta el fin de los tiempos (Mateo 28:20). Pues, cada vez

el pan y el vino, el cuerpo y la sangre del Señor. Por eso, el

que celebramos la Santa Misa, Jesucristo se hace presente en

sacerdocio es un don de Dios. Es un misterio como Dios llama

el pan y vino después que el sacerdote los consagra, repitiendo

algunos, tal vez no porque sean los más adinerados ni los más

las palabras de Jesús en la Última Cena—“Tomad y comed: esto

apuestos ni los más inteligentes. Esto recuerdo mucho cuando

es mi cuerpo; tomad y bebed: ésta es mi sangre”—se convierte

Jesús fue a comenzar la obra de la Iglesia que estuvo llamando

en el cuerpo y la sangre del Señor, el mismo Jesucristo que

a los apóstoles entre las personas comunes y corrientes—

está sentado a la derecha del Padre, es el mismo que recibimos

pescadores, que están en la playa—y con ellos, el Señor inició esta obra de salvación. Hoy en día, el Señor puede llamar a

en la Sagrada Comunión. Y es el mismo que permanece

muchos jóvenes y espera la respuesta. Yo creo que el Señor

en el sagrario—Jesucristo en la Eucaristía es la Presencia

no obliga a nadie aceptar su llamado, pero si le insiste de

Real—en todo el cuerpo, la sangre, el alma, y la divinidad.

diferentes maneras, entonces algunos jóvenes sienten este

Después de leer la constitución del señor Obispo, me impresionó

llamado a la vida sacerdotal para que el milagro de la Eucaristía

el enfoque en la importancia de la Eucaristía en la vida de la

se siga perpetuando en la Iglesia. Respondan con entusiasmo

iglesia, de la diócesis, y de la parroquia. Por eso, después de esto

al principio, y entonces se tendrán muchos temores, muchas

hemos estado haciendo una concientización para todos los fieles

dudas—pero es el proceso de discernimiento vocacional

y decirles que quien recibe dignamente la Sagrada Eucaristía,

a través del cual la persona, día a día, va descubriendo

se tiene que unir íntimamente al Señor, hasta el punto de que lo

como

dar

generosamente

esta

respuesta

Señor.

†

SOBREVIVIENDO EN LAS MISAS: PORQUE VALE LA PENA TRAER A MISA A SUS NIÑOS PEQUEÑOS POR DEANNA JOHNSTON

r a Misa con niños, especialmente cuando son

les podemos dar a nuestros niños.

pequeños, puede ser desafiante. Como madre de

Jesús lo dijo, “Dejen a los niños, y no les impidan

una de 3 años, uno de 1 año, y un bebé en camino, les

que vengan a mí, porque el Reino de los Cielos

aseguro que entiendo que su lucha es real. Es difícil

pertenece a los que son como ellos” (Mt 19:14).

apreciar el milagro del pan y el vino convertirse

¡Jesús ama a nuestros niños, inquietos y todo!

en el Cuerpo y la Sangre de nuestro Señor cuando

El mismo

Como sus padres, nosotros somos los primeros

un pequeño ha descubierto que el libro de cantos

maestros de la fe para nuestros niños. Al bautizarlos,

hace un tambor excelente y tu hija decide que

nosotros prometemos ayudarlos a crecer en su fe

el silencio sagrado es el momento perfecto para

Católica y finalmente llevarlos a Jesús.

anunciar—fuertemente—que tiene que ir al baño.

Cuando

empezamos a tráelos a Misa cuando pequeños,

Estoy dispuesta a apostar a que la mayoría de los

aunque a veces sea retador, los estamos ayudando

padres católicos han pasado al menos por una

a entender que la Misa es una prioridad para

"historia de horror” cuando sus niños dijeron o

nuestra familia.

hicieron algo que los ha avergonzado durante la

que ayuda a nuestros niños a empezar a entender

Misa.

Aunque algunas historias son divertidas

después del hecho, la realidad es que algunos de

Fuente

Plantamos la semilla de la fe

Cumbre

nuestra

católica.

Yo seré la primera en admitir que no he descubierto

nosotros estamos realmente esforzándonos para

la solución perfecta para pasar una Misa completa

descubrir como traer a nuestros niños a Misa a

sin algún problema.

la vez que también se participe en la Liturgia.

Nuestra familia aún está

aprendiendo, y estoy segura que tenemos muchos

Muchos padres han compartido conmigo que ellos

momentos

no se sienten cómodos viniendo a Misa cuando sus

Sin embargo, yo quiero ofrecer ánimo, especialmente

niños están pequeños. Temen el distraer a la gente

a otros padres de niños pequeños, y pasarles

a su alrededor, o que sus niños se porten mal, y por

algunas útiles sugerencias que otros padres han

lo tanto ellos suponen que la mejor solución es no

compartido con nosotros en traer niños a Misa.

traerlos hasta que estén más grandes. Esto es un mito. Aun

cuando

desafiante,

Misa

Encuentre

como

penosos y humildes en nuestro futuro.

una

Misa

horario de la familia.

familia es uno de los más grandes regalos que

que

sea

mejor

para

Nos hemos dado cuenta

que nuestros niños están mucho mejor en la Misa

de la mañana que en la de la tarde. familias puede ser lo opuesto.

Para otras

la Misa para niños. Esto les ayudará a enfrascarse

Hacer lo que es

con lo que está pasando durante la Sagrada Liturgia.

mejor para su familia puede significar dividir las Misas entre los padres o utilizar la guardería por una época.

La meta debe ser ir a Misa como una

familia, incluso si toma un tiempo para hacerlo. Los niños van a hacer ruido en la Misa y eso está bien. ¡El ruido de bebes llorando y pequeños chillando significa que la Iglesia no está muerta! Algunas veces

Lo más importante, seguir tratando. Misas serán mejores que otras.

Algunas

Incluso cuando

nuestros niños parezcan estar en su peor conducta, aun recibimos las gracias por hacer el esfuerzo. No siempre será así de difícil, y al final, valdrá la pena.

Estamos plantando la semilla de la fe

en nuestros niños, y Dios la ayudará a crecer.

puede requerir que nos tengamos que salir por un

Para aquellos que no tienen niños pequeños en la

momento para reagrupar y ayudar a que se calmen

Misa, por favor sean compasivos y afirmativos para

nuestros niños. Es importante, sin embargo, regresar

las familias jóvenes a su alrededor.

al espacio de adoración tan pronto como ellos estén calmados, así ellos no empezaran a asociar el mal comportamiento con un pase para “salirse de la Misa”. Enseñar a sus niños acerca de la Misa. Hay muchos y maravillosos libros y recursos en línea para ayudarle a enseñar a los niños de todas las edades más acerca de la Misa. Una de mis paginas favoritas es

San Pablo lo

dijo muy bien:, “Anímense, entonces, y estimúlense mutuamente, como ya lo están haciendoe” (1 Ts 5:11). Yo les puedo decir por experiencia personal que recibir ánimo de otros feligreses después de una Misa particularmente difícil es una verdadera bendición. La Eucaristía es la Fuente y Cumbre de nuestra fe Católica. Si nosotros real y verdaderamente creemos que es lo que creemos que es, Jesús Mismo, entonces

JoyfulCatholicFamilies.com, la cual tiene contenido

nosotros sabemos que Jesús quiere allí a nuestros

imprimible gratis tales como “La Misa en dibujos”

niños también.

e instrucciones en cómo crear su propio equipo de

a mí… incluso a los ruidosos y a los inquietos. †

Dejen que los niños se acerquen

This means, however, that it is of the utmost importance that the Church teaches clearly, and that Catholics know and understand the truth. That is not always the case in this time and place. The last several generations have endured an era of confusion in Church teaching. I endured it, and I see clearly how it has affected our Catholic life and culture. This era of confusion has not come upon us out of nowhere. There were

Now the snake was the most cunning of all the wild animals that the LORD God had made. He asked the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You shall not eat from any of the trees in the garden’?” The woman answered the snake: “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; it is only about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden that God said, ‘You shall not eat it or even touch it, or else you will die.’” But the snake said to the woman: “You certainly will not die! God knows well that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods, who know good and evil.” The woman saw that the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eyes, and the tree was desirable for gaining wisdom. So she took some of its fruit and ate it; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.

some big events that helped to cause it. In the early 1960’s, the bishops of the Church gathered for the Second Vatican Council to create teaching documents on the relationship of the Church to the modern world. These documents are good and faithful and expound Catholic truth, and if read honestly, confirm the historic Catholic Faith. Some people, however, made sweeping claims of “change” in the name of a “Spirit of Vatican II” and then worked to make these claims come true, even though these ideas were found nowhere in the council documents. So much of what was, basically, Catholic life was swept away in those days. No Catholic teaching on Faith or Morals was changed by the Second Vatican Council, but all of the untruths told about the Council added to the confusion. Likewise, the Church’s teaching on artificial contraception is and has been extremely clear – it’s intrinsically evil, and to make use of it is

—Genesis 3:1-6

sinful. However, during that same era, confusion was sowed around

n the first book of the Bible, we see a pattern being set, which exists to this day: God gave a simple truth to Adam

and

Eve.

exceptions. calling

gave

Then,

God’s

them the

commandments

serpent

commandments

came

into

and

doubt.

follow,

sowed

This

the world about birth control in the media. So many Catholics, caught up in the confusion, gave in to this temptation. Even some priests and

without

bishops gave in. Then, in 1968, when Pope Paul VI clearly re-stated the

confusion,

confusion

teaching of the Church in his encyclical Humanae Vitae, many Catholics

was

had a very difficult time getting out of the contracepting lifestyle.

the first step to the first sin. Through the evil one spreading

People remain trapped in it to this day. This adds to the confusion.

confusion, mankind fell and darkness descended on the world.

This era of confusion has robbed generations of Catholics of the truth.

Well, what has changed? Nothing. To induce people to sin, Satan

Now, there is confusion on nearly every topic in the faith. Our unity,

still acts in the same way. It’s difficult to get people to do things

which Jesus Christ specifically prayed for, has become frayed. Enough.

which they know are wrong, and to act against their consciences.

As a Bishop, I am charged to teach, govern, and sanctify the people.

So, Satan still often relies on the same trick: he sows confusion in people’s hearts and minds before tempting them to commit sin.

To sanctify means to make the people holy. In order to help everyone

We can see this today in many ways in our culture. Virtually no

into clarity. We come out of confusion by knowing and professing

become holy, I must lead the Diocese of Tyler out of confusion and

one wants to support killing children. That’s abhorrent. So, in

the truth Jesus Christ gives us through the Church. It is in Sacred

order to tempt people to support exactly that, evil first encourages

Scripture. It is in all of our books, our Catechism, the Councils,

people to use confusing language about “choice” and a “clump of

and the Papal Encyclicals, but we have to get it down off the shelf

cells.” Once people have begun using this language of confusion, then

becomes

easier

tempt

them

support

and make it accessible to everyone. This is the Teaching Mission.

abortion.

We know what Satan’s plan is: first, he sows confusion about

Likewise, we can see all sorts of confusion being sown about sex,

God’s law. Then, after everyone is confused, he tempts people

gender, and marriage in our society right now. This is Satan’s work,

to support and do things they would never do if they clearly

to confuse people about their basic identity and basic biology. Once,

understood

decades ago, it seemed impossible that an entire nation of educated

lives. Sinful lives, lived in opposition to God, lead us to Hell.

people would become so confused about what the purpose of sex

easier to tempt them to sin. He is still running the same old playbook.

mankind’s

best

trapped

sinful

Buckle up. This is liable to be a bumpy ride to heaven. But, it’s the destination that matters. †

What is our defense against his lies and this confusion? Truth. is

people

Christ, will see us safely to Heaven and eternity in God’s house.

the same kinds of lies he always tells, and confusing people to make it

proclaimed,

lead virtuous lives. Virtuous lives, lived in relationship to Jesus

lie is delivered in innocuous slogans, like “love wins.” Satan is telling

clearly

leads

Church. This dispels confusion. This gives people a clear path to

thinking about the sinful acts they are being asked to endorse, the

truth,

This

God’s plan is the opposite: He gives clear teaching through His

and marriage is, but it is happening. To keep people from actually

God’s

them.

defense

against lies and confusion. In 1 Timothy, Paul describes the Church as “the pillar and foundation of truth.” The Church is meant to be the reliable source of moral and religious truth for all mankind. At so many times in history, the Church has been

Most Rev. Joseph E. Strickland Bishop of Tyler

the only voice speaking the truth to a confused and sinful world.

You may be called.

There was a clear sense that what I heard in my heart was no human voice, nor was it just an idea of my own. Christ was calling me to serve him as a priest. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Saint John Paul II

Discern the priesthood with the Diocese of Tyler. vocations@dioceseoftyler.org

Tyler

4917 S Broadway Avenue â&#x20AC;¢ (903) 504-5366 nothingbundtcakes.com

Catholic East Texas: Vol. 31 Issue 2

Articles inside

To Rekindle Our Amazement