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I admit that I am not a beliver in Christianity other that what can be shown from objective history and archeology. But I have a desire to partake in the Eucharist. Maybe just the beauty of it or the ritual. Or maybe I just want to believe. Should I go to Mass?
Go to mass. Enjoy it. I love mass. But DO NOT take the Eucharist. You can even go up. But cross your arms (indicating you're not receiving) and just get a blessing.
I admit that I am not a beliver in Christianity other that what can be shown from objective history and archeology. But I have a desire to partake in the Eucharist. Maybe just the beauty of it or the ritual. Or maybe I just want to believe. Should I go to Mass?
If you wish to do so . . . why not. I cannot imagine Jesus being upset with someone wanting participate in a tradition designed to remember Him and His love for us all.
Interesting that you feel such a desire as an unbeliever. I, as a believer, cannot get into rituals, most especially those that seem very Roman Catholic or Orthodox. There is just something about that whole scene that bothers me. Also, since I don't "go to church", the matter doesn't come up. Not that I have not had occasion to partake of the "Lord's supper" (the bread and wine) on a few occasions. However, I find the language about that which has been ritualized to be more spiritually symbolic in meaning rather than to be taken literally. I know this probably makes me sound like even more of an heretic than I already did before. Oh well. I probably just had too many bad church experiences to be able to appreciate rituals.
If you wish to do so . . . why not. I cannot imagine Jesus being upset with someone wanting participate in a tradition designed to remember Him and His love for us all.
Let's cast our opinions aside. What does the Word say?
1 Cor.11
[23] For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
[24] And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
[25] After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
[26] For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.
[27] Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
[28] But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
[29] For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
[30] For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
[31] For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
Let's cast our opinions aside. What does the Word say?
1 Cor.11
[23] For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
[24] And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
[25] After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
[26] For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.
[27] Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
[28] But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
[29] For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
[30] For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
[31] For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
You see, that's the thing. I don't believe for a second that this portion of scripture is only about a ceremonial ritual. I think that to eat the bread and drink the cup of the Lord's blood in remembrance of his death has to do with how we perceive our own suffering and how we either forgive those who trespass against us (or not). If we are not forgiving those who trespass against us and confessing our own weakness, then we are eating and drinking unworthily, spiritually speaking. That's the way I see it. And our sin always finds us out eventually - it is an unbreakable spiritual law.
I admit that I am not a beliver in Christianity other that what can be shown from objective history and archeology. But I have a desire to partake in the Eucharist. Maybe just the beauty of it or the ritual. Or maybe I just want to believe. Should I go to Mass?
As a believer, it's my opinion that our good Lord is tapping on your shoulder.
I would encourage you to dig deep into the mystery and meaning of the Eucharist, and to do some serious contemplation on this desire of yours.
At the first last supper, Judas Iscariot took the Eucharist and Jesus served him in the Book of John 13: 26-30............If you can idenity with Judas you can take the Eucharist......... in Corinthians 11:27 ...Apostle Paul declears ...```Wherefor whosoever shall eat this bread and drink this cup of the Lord unworthily shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord````Meaning that if you take the body and blood of the Lord unworthily than you are just as guilty as thoughs people who put the Lord on the cross....
You see, that's the thing. I don't believe for a second that this portion of scripture is only about a ceremonial ritual. I think that to eat the bread and drink the cup of the Lord's blood in remembrance of his death has to do with how we perceive our own suffering and how we either forgive those who trespass against us (or not). If we are not forgiving those who trespass against us and confessing our own weakness, then we are eating and drinking unworthily, spiritually speaking. That's the way I see it. And our sin always finds us out eventually - it is an unbreakable spiritual law.
Heartsong
Good thoughts, Heartsong.
Thanks for sharing that.
peace,
sparrow
I admit that I am not a beliver in Christianity other that what can be shown from objective history and archeology. But I have a desire to partake in the Eucharist. Maybe just the beauty of it or the ritual. Or maybe I just want to believe. Should I go to Mass?
Although it might be symbolic to others, to you it would just be bread and fruit juice. I guess it wouldn't hurt, but it would be rather meaningless.
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