21. Promesas de Jesús: Yo estaré con ustedes (Eucaristía)

La Promesa de la Presencia de Jesús

Introducción a la Promesa

• La promesa de Jesús de estar presente se basa en la Sagrada Escritura, que revela su deseo de acompañarnos.

• Se enfatiza que Jesús es el Emanuel, "Dios con nosotros", y desea hacerse presente en nuestras vidas.

Las Promesas de Jesús

• Se inicia un nuevo capítulo sobre las principales promesas que Jesús hizo antes de regresar al cielo. Estas incluyen realidades que los cristianos pueden vivir.

• Las promesas se dividen en tres categorías:

• Estar con nosotros siempre.

• Que estaremos con Él eternamente.

• La promesa del Espíritu Santo como facilitador para cumplir las dos anteriores.

Detalle sobre la Primera Promesa

• La primera promesa es "Yo estaré con ustedes". Esta se relaciona con la importancia de la oración y la penitencia para fortalecer nuestra relación con Dios.

• En Mateo 28:20, Jesús asegura su presencia continua hasta el final del tiempo, lo cual debe ser subrayado en nuestras Biblias por su gran significado.

Formas de Presencia de Jesús

• Se identifican cuatro formas a través de las cuales podemos experimentar la presencia de Jesús:

• A través del sacramento eucarístico.

• En los hermanos, especialmente en los necesitados.

• En Su palabra.

• A través de obispos y sacerdotes.

Reflexión sobre la Eucaristía

• Se destaca que muchos cristianos no valoran adecuadamente la Eucaristía; solo un pequeño porcentaje asiste regularmente a misa y recibe comunión. Esto deja a una gran parte sin experimentar esta transformación espiritual ofrecida por Jesús.

Eucharistic Presence and the Challenge of Faith

The Low Participation in Communion

• Only 17% of attendees at celebrations approach communion, with less than 50% actually participating. This is described as tragic, indicating a significant disconnect within the community.

Understanding Jesus' Hidden Presence

• The presence of Jesus in the Eucharist is transformative, offering sweetness, joy, and peace that many are missing by not approaching communion.

The Mystery of Incarnation

• Just as Jesus was often unrecognized by his contemporaries despite being divine, today’s believers may struggle to see His true nature in the Eucharist.

Peter's Revelation about Jesus

• In Matthew 16:13-19, Jesus asks His disciples who they believe He is. Peter identifies Him as "the Messiah," highlighting the importance of personal revelation and faith.

Cultural Perceptions of Jesus

• Historical perspectives on Jesus vary widely; he has been viewed as a countercultural figure akin to a hippie or revolutionary. These interpretations reflect societal values rather than theological truths.

The Challenge of Recognizing Christ Today

• Many find it difficult to recognize Christ in the Eucharist due to a focus on tangible realities. Discovering Him requires faith and love, similar to Peter's experience.

Faith as Key to Understanding

• Like St. Thomas, believers need faith to perceive Christ during Mass when the priest elevates the host. This tradition emphasizes reliance on spiritual insight over mere physical observation.

The Importance of Faith: Lessons from Saint Thomas

The Doubt of Saint Thomas

• The speaker references the story of Saint Thomas, who doubted the resurrection of Jesus until he could see and touch Him. This highlights a common struggle with faith.

• After a week, Jesus appears to Thomas, inviting him to touch His wounds. This moment signifies the transition from doubt to belief for Thomas.

• Jesus acknowledges that while Thomas believes because he has seen Him, those who believe without seeing are blessed. This emphasizes the value of faith beyond physical evidence.

Hidden Presence of Jesus

• The speaker discusses how valuable truths, like the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, are often unseen. He encourages believers to recognize this hidden presence.

• A story is shared about a young boy named Francisco who spent hours in prayer before the tabernacle, illustrating deep faith despite not being able to see Jesus physically.

Experiencing Consolation in Prayer

• The speaker invites listeners to visit chapels where the Blessed Sacrament is present, emphasizing that even though God is omnipresent, He chooses to be especially present there for comfort and listening.

• Personal experiences in front of the Blessed Sacrament can lead individuals to feel heard and consoled by Jesus during times of trouble or distress.

Scriptural Foundation for Belief

• The speaker refers to Matthew 26:26–28 as foundational scripture where Jesus institutes the Eucharist during the Last Supper, affirming His real presence in communion.

• In this passage, Jesus takes bread and wine and declares them His body and blood—this act reveals His intention for ongoing presence among believers through these elements.

Challenges from Other Beliefs

• Some groups like Jehovah's Witnesses deny Christ's real presence in the Eucharist due to differing interpretations of scripture.

• The speaker notes that such groups have altered biblical texts (e.g., changing "is" to "means") which leads them away from traditional Christian beliefs regarding communion.

• Emphasizing scriptural integrity is crucial; understanding how different translations can affect interpretation helps clarify why some reject core Catholic teachings on Eucharistic presence.

Understanding the Real Presence in the Eucharist

The Authority of Scripture and Translation Issues

• The speaker emphasizes that the teachings about the Eucharist are received directly from the apostles, asserting that only certain translations, specifically those by Jehovah's Witnesses, have altered biblical texts.

• A significant change noted is in the translation of "This is my body," where Jehovah's Witnesses modify it to imply a symbolic meaning rather than a literal one.

The Nature of the Eucharist

• The speaker clarifies that what Christians partake in during communion is not merely a symbol but truly represents the body and blood of Christ after consecration. This distinction is crucial for understanding its significance.

• He explains that while elements like bread and wine serve as signs, they transform into Christ’s true presence through consecration, contrasting with other interpretations that view them solely as symbols.

Scriptural Foundations and Paul’s Teachings

• Reference is made to St. Paul's letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 11:23-29), which addresses misunderstandings within early Christian communities regarding the nature of communion. This scripture serves as a corrective measure for their practices.

• St. Paul recounts Jesus' words during the Last Supper, emphasizing that partaking in communion should be done with reverence and understanding of its true meaning—Christ's real presence in these elements.

Importance of Discerning Communion

• The text warns against receiving communion unworthily; individuals must examine themselves before participating to avoid condemnation for failing to recognize Christ’s body and blood in this sacrament. This highlights personal responsibility in faith practices.

• It stresses that approaching communion requires proper preparation, including fasting and mental focus on what one is about to receive—an act meant for spiritual nourishment rather than casual participation.

Consequences of Irreverence

• The speaker notes serious consequences for those who partake without discernment; instead of receiving grace, they risk spiritual harm or condemnation due to their lack of awareness regarding the sacrament's significance.

• Emphasizing Jesus’ conditions for eternal life linked with this sacrament underscores its critical role within Christian faith—a necessary aspect for salvation according to traditional beliefs expressed here.

The Importance of Communion in Eternal Life

The Necessity of Communion for Eternal Life

• A person who does not partake in communion cannot attain eternal life, as emphasized in the Scriptures. This is a critical point made by the speaker.

• The speaker references John 6:51-54, highlighting that Jesus identifies Himself as the "living bread" and emphasizes the necessity of consuming His flesh and blood for eternal life.

Understanding the Eucharistic Sermon

• The passage from John 6 is referred to as the Eucharistic sermon, which differs from other Gospel accounts that focus on the institution of the Eucharist. This indicates a deeper theological exploration rather than mere repetition.

• The speaker notes that St. Paul has already clarified Christ's real presence in his letters, suggesting an established understanding within early Christian communities about communion's significance.

Key Verses and Their Implications

• In verses 51-54, Jesus states that those who eat His flesh and drink His blood will have eternal life and be resurrected on the last day, underscoring a profound promise tied to communion.

• There is a strong reaction among Jews questioning how Jesus can offer His body to eat, indicating confusion over His literal versus metaphorical language regarding communion.

Metaphorical vs Literal Interpretation

• Some argue that Jesus' words should be interpreted metaphorically (e.g., spiritual nourishment through Scripture), but this interpretation is challenged by emphasizing Jesus’ insistence on physical consumption of His body and blood for true sustenance.

• The speaker uses poetic metaphors (like expressing love through kisses) to illustrate how language can convey deeper meanings beyond literal interpretations; however, he insists that Jesus speaks literally about eating His flesh and drinking His blood.

Clarifying Terminology in Greek Text

• The distinction between two Greek verbs for "to eat" (trogo and phago) is highlighted; while both mean "to eat," their usage can imply different depths of meaning—phago being more general while trogo suggests a more intense action akin to chewing or masticating food.

• In John 6:54, where it states “the one who eats my flesh,” there’s an intentional choice of wording meant to emphasize the reality of consuming Christ’s body rather than merely engaging with Him intellectually or spiritually through Scripture alone.

Understanding the Significance of Eating Christ's Flesh

The Shift from Symbolism to Literal Interpretation

• San Juan changes the verb from "fagin" (to eat) to "trogon" (to chew), emphasizing a literal consumption of Jesus' body, which challenges contemporary beliefs about symbolic eating.

• This shift aims to clarify that followers must truly consume Christ's flesh for eternal life, countering interpretations that view the act as merely symbolic.

The Reaction of the People

• The teaching causes a crisis among listeners, particularly given Jewish dietary laws prohibiting certain meats and cannibalism, making Jesus' directive shocking.

• Many disciples find this doctrine unacceptable and begin to abandon Jesus, illustrating the difficulty in accepting such radical teachings.

Peter's Confession of Faith

• Despite confusion over Jesus' words about consuming his flesh and blood, Peter acknowledges their belief in Him as the Holy One of God, highlighting faith amidst uncertainty.

• Peter’s response reflects an understanding that transcends literal interpretation; he recognizes Jesus’ divine authority despite not fully grasping the concept of Eucharist.

The Power of Transformation

• Jesus demonstrates His divine power by transforming bread into His body during the Last Supper, reinforcing His ability to perform miracles and establish a new covenant through communion.

• This transformation is central to Christian belief in the Eucharist, where ordinary elements become sacred through Christ’s command.

Continuity Through Tradition

• The practice established by Jesus continues through generations via priests who administer communion, ensuring believers can partake in this sacrament long after His earthly ministry ended.

• Luke 22:19–20 recounts the institution of Eucharist, emphasizing its importance as a perpetual reminder of Christ’s sacrifice and presence among believers.

The Significance of the Eucharist in Christian Faith

Understanding the Memorial Aspect of the Eucharist

• The term "memorial" in the context of the Eucharist does not imply mere remembrance; it signifies a re-living of the Exodus event, as highlighted by Jesus during the Last Supper.

• In this sacrament, both the priest and congregation are present as disciples, with the priest acting "in persona Christi," embodying Christ's presence during consecration.

The Transformative Power of Communion

• Through ordination, priests gain the ability to transform bread into Christ's body, emphasizing that without this spiritual nourishment, believers cannot attain true life.

• Jesus' declaration in John 6:53 underscores that consuming His flesh and blood is essential for eternal life, marking a critical tenet of faith for early Christians.

Early Christian Practices and Community Dynamics

• Historical accounts from Acts (2:42) reveal that early Christians gathered weekly to celebrate the Eucharist, reinforcing community bonds through shared meals.

• Issues arose within these gatherings where social disparities led to disorderly conduct during communion; some attendees indulged while others were neglected. This prompted St. Paul’s admonitions regarding proper conduct at communal meals.

Reflection on Modern Worship Practices

• Contemporary worship can mirror past disarray if congregants become distracted or disengaged during Mass; attention should be focused on reverence and participation in communion rituals.

• Emphasizing Jesus’ promise to remain with believers through the Eucharist encourages regular attendance and personal reflection on its significance in daily life.

Spiritual Nourishment Through Participation

• Engaging regularly with the Eucharist provides spiritual sustenance akin to physical nourishment; neglecting this leads to spiritual weakness akin to malnutrition. Believers are encouraged to seek out this divine presence frequently for strength against sin and growth in faith.

• The call for active participation in sacraments like reconciliation before receiving communion highlights an ongoing journey towards holiness and connection with God’s grace through Jesus Christ’s real presence among us.