Someone I know, who was an altar boy in the old days when people still knelt at the communion rail, is not impressed by the current fashion for bread lines snaking up church aisles. "Why don't they just mail it to me?" he gripes.
Well, one church in England is doing just that. Don't worry -- it's a break-away group. The real Anglicans aren't that nutty yet. According to The Guardian the "Open Episcopal Church" will mail consecrated hosts to people who request them -- one for two pounds Sterling, 500 for ten pounds.
Leaving aside the question of what anyone would do with 500 consecrated hosts, let's look at why anyone would want to send even one through the mail. According to the web site for "Post the Host" (yes, this project has its own website) the idea is to allow everyone to share the Eucharist, whoever they are and wherever they are. The Eucharist transforms lives, so why let little things like baptism or church membership get in the way? If it's good for Open Episcopalians, it's good for everyone.
If you don't think about it much, that sounds good. They want to share. They don't want to set up "obstacles" to receiving Christ, they want to eliminate them. You don't have to be Anglican, you don't have to accept any moral or theological teaching, you don't even have to step inside a church (although if you do, you'll save the costs of shipping and handling). Just order a package and you, too, can be transformed.
The website plays fast and loose with churchy terms and customs. The hosts, it says, are consecrated in an actual "full and formal" mass, if anyone is concerned about things like that -- but at the same time, "There is nothing to stop you consecrating your own Hosts with your community, friends or your family." There's a long list of quotations from saints about why receiving the Eucharist is good, but no mention of pre-conditions for receiving it, like this one from Christ: "Do not give what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample you underfoot, and turn and tear you to pieces." (Matthew 7:6) or this one from Paul: "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." (1 Corinthians 11:27)
The Open Episcopal Church, like similar "open" or "inclusive" churches that call themselves Episcopal and Catholic, counter that no one is unworthy. We are all, High Church Anglican vicars to best-selling athiest authors, worthy.
This is a fundamental misunderstanding of what it means to be worthy of receiving the Eucharist, what the Eucharist really is, and what the Church really is. Yes, we all have equal dignity and worth before God. No, that does not mean that the Eucharist is a magic pill that will work its transforming effects on anyone who partakes, keeping them "every day in every way getting better and better!"
Popping a host (or 500) into the mail is such a far cry from a true participation in the sacramental life that it almost defies description. Yet there are some -- of whom the Open Episcopal Church is only a sampling -- who would reduce the sacramental life to nothing more than a "us vs. them" mentality. To these people, denying anyone the Eucharist is just being mean.
But that's not true. When we gather together (not when we open the mail) the Holy Spirit is present. When we as a baptized, believing people, with the priest or bishop in the place of Christ, celebrate the liturgy that makes us participants in Jesus's death and resurrection, then the Holy Spirit connects us with Christ and, through Him, with God the Father. It's a mouthful, but it's not difficult to understand. When a designated person brings a sick or homebound person a host consecrated at mass, that person represents the entire church and so the same principal applies. The Holy Spirit unites the two of them with the universal church.
So as we prepare to celebrate Corpus Christi, the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, let's be glad that no one really does "mail it to us." Christ is with us always, but to receive Christ in the Eucharist we have to go to the Church -- or have the Church come to us through a real human being. That's a miracle. And there's nothing mean about it.
The Son Rise Morning Show Needs Your Support!
Friday, June 12, 2009
News Today
Pope Benedict appoints Austin Bishop Gregory Aymond as the new Archbishop of New Orleans.
Boston Cardinal Sean O'Malley says Caritas Christi will not provide or give information about how to aquire abortions.
The Holy Father celebrates the Feast of Corpus Christi with Mass and a Eucharistic procession.
Boston Cardinal Sean O'Malley says Caritas Christi will not provide or give information about how to aquire abortions.
The Holy Father celebrates the Feast of Corpus Christi with Mass and a Eucharistic procession.
Guests for Friday, 6/12/2009
Dan Egan is online at bibletidbits.blogspot.com.
Mike Aquilina is online at fathersofthechurch.com.
Andy Schmitt, VP of Investments for Raymond James and Associates is online at prolifeinvestor.com.
Rita Heikenfeld is online at abouteating.com.
Steven Greydanus is online at decentfilms.com.
Jennifer Fulwiler is online at conversiondiary.com.
Fr Greg Friedman is online at franciscanradio.org.
Jeff Schwehm is online at catholicxjw.com.
Dr Marcellino D'Ambrosio and the Crossroads Initiative are online at dritaly.com.
Dr Kevin Vost is online at drvost.com.
Dr Owen Phelps, author of "The Catholic Vision for Leading Like Jesus"
Fr Rob Jack is online at revrobjack.com.
Gary Michuta is online at handsonapologetics.com.
Mike Aquilina is online at fathersofthechurch.com.
Andy Schmitt, VP of Investments for Raymond James and Associates is online at prolifeinvestor.com.
Rita Heikenfeld is online at abouteating.com.
Steven Greydanus is online at decentfilms.com.
Jennifer Fulwiler is online at conversiondiary.com.
Fr Greg Friedman is online at franciscanradio.org.
Jeff Schwehm is online at catholicxjw.com.
Dr Marcellino D'Ambrosio and the Crossroads Initiative are online at dritaly.com.
Dr Kevin Vost is online at drvost.com.
Dr Owen Phelps, author of "The Catholic Vision for Leading Like Jesus"
Fr Rob Jack is online at revrobjack.com.
Gary Michuta is online at handsonapologetics.com.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Body and Blood
Sunday is the Solemnity of Corpus Christi -- or, in grand English, the Solemnity of The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.
In a sense, every Sunday is a celebration of the body and blood of Christ -- as is every weekday mass and every Eucharistic adoration. But on this special celebration, we as a church make a special focus on Christ's presence among us in the Eucharist.
Several years ago, two infamous polls from the Gallup organization showed that only a minority of American Catholics believed that Christ is present "body, blood, soul, and divinity" in the host and the wine. Many have argued that the polls were worded badly and that things are not as bad as they seemed, but even one Catholic who doesn't understand or believe this crucial part of our faith is one too many!
Fortunately, we've got 2000 years of theology to help us out. If you're a little rusty on transubstantiation, exactly what "real presence" means, or how Christ's presence is the Eucharist is different from his presence in the Word or in the assembly or in the other sacraments, you don't have to look far to find the answers.
Nearly everything anyone could want to know about the Real Presence is a click away at this site run by the Real Presence Eucharistic Education and Adoration Association. You'll find audio files and text pages, most of them written by the indefatigable Fr. John Hardon, SJ,
including a handy collection of quotes from Scripture and the Church Fathers that show their belief in the Real Presence. Another collection of pages from the Catholic Pages includes audio and text from many sources, including favorites Fr. Benedict Groeschel FFR and apologist Karl Keating.
If you're looking for something more concise, the USCCB has a great little document you can read at one (long) sitting. For something more in-depth, try Fr. Robert Barron's inexpensive Eucharist (Catholic Spirituality for Adults) -- you can also hear his podcasts on the Eucharist here -- or Cardinal Ratzinger/Pope Benedict's more challenging God is Near Us: The Eucharist, the Heart of Life.
But what about the holiday? Eucharistic processions have been associated with it since the fourteenth century. The songs Lauda Sion and Pange Lingua are traditionally sung on this day and there's a slight chance that you might hear them Sunday. For lots more on the holiday, click here.
And if live near Cincinnati and you'd like to attend a real procession, the procession that was such a big part of Price Hill's life was revived 12 years ago. St. William and St. Theresa of Avila parishes invite everyone to the 2 pm prayer service at St. Theresa, followed by a 1-mile procession down side streets to St. William -- where Benediction will be followed by cookies and punch. For more information, call St. William at (513) 921-0247.
In a sense, every Sunday is a celebration of the body and blood of Christ -- as is every weekday mass and every Eucharistic adoration. But on this special celebration, we as a church make a special focus on Christ's presence among us in the Eucharist.
Several years ago, two infamous polls from the Gallup organization showed that only a minority of American Catholics believed that Christ is present "body, blood, soul, and divinity" in the host and the wine. Many have argued that the polls were worded badly and that things are not as bad as they seemed, but even one Catholic who doesn't understand or believe this crucial part of our faith is one too many!
Fortunately, we've got 2000 years of theology to help us out. If you're a little rusty on transubstantiation, exactly what "real presence" means, or how Christ's presence is the Eucharist is different from his presence in the Word or in the assembly or in the other sacraments, you don't have to look far to find the answers.
Nearly everything anyone could want to know about the Real Presence is a click away at this site run by the Real Presence Eucharistic Education and Adoration Association. You'll find audio files and text pages, most of them written by the indefatigable Fr. John Hardon, SJ,
including a handy collection of quotes from Scripture and the Church Fathers that show their belief in the Real Presence. Another collection of pages from the Catholic Pages includes audio and text from many sources, including favorites Fr. Benedict Groeschel FFR and apologist Karl Keating.
If you're looking for something more concise, the USCCB has a great little document you can read at one (long) sitting. For something more in-depth, try Fr. Robert Barron's inexpensive Eucharist (Catholic Spirituality for Adults) -- you can also hear his podcasts on the Eucharist here -- or Cardinal Ratzinger/Pope Benedict's more challenging God is Near Us: The Eucharist, the Heart of Life.
But what about the holiday? Eucharistic processions have been associated with it since the fourteenth century. The songs Lauda Sion and Pange Lingua are traditionally sung on this day and there's a slight chance that you might hear them Sunday. For lots more on the holiday, click here.
And if live near Cincinnati and you'd like to attend a real procession, the procession that was such a big part of Price Hill's life was revived 12 years ago. St. William and St. Theresa of Avila parishes invite everyone to the 2 pm prayer service at St. Theresa, followed by a 1-mile procession down side streets to St. William -- where Benediction will be followed by cookies and punch. For more information, call St. William at (513) 921-0247.
Today's news...
Read or listen to St. Louis Archbishop Robert Carlson's homily from yesterday's installation Mass. And check out the pictures.
The bishops of Ireland say they are "ashamed, humbled and repentant" over the report of rampant child abuse in Church-run institutions.
Pope Benedict says "authority can never be contrast to reason" in his weekly audience.
The bishops of Ireland say they are "ashamed, humbled and repentant" over the report of rampant child abuse in Church-run institutions.
Pope Benedict says "authority can never be contrast to reason" in his weekly audience.
Rita Heikenfeld's 'Toss and Go" Trail Mix
Find more at abouteating.com
1 cup dried fruit
2 cups whole grain Kashi cereal ( I like Go Lean Crunch) or your favorite cereal
1/4 to 1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup Carob chips or your favorite
Toss together and GO!!!!
Guests for Thursday, 6/11/2009
Anthony Buono is online at avemariasingles.com.
St. Anthony of Padua Maronite Catholic Church is online here.
All are invited to join the 12th annual Corpus Christi Procession, co-sponsored by St. Teresa of Avila and St. William parishes in Price Hill, Sunday, June 14th. The celebration begins in St. Teresa Church at 2 p.m. with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Participants will then process with the Blessed Sacrament to St. William Church where the event will conclude with Benediction. Bus service will be provided for those who are unable to walk. For information call 513-921-0247.
Send your questions for Catholic counselor Kevin Prendergast to sonrise@sacredheartradio.com.
Fr Rob Jack is online at revrobjack.com.
Steve Mosher and the Population Research Institute are online at pop.org.
Rita Heikenfeld is online at abouteating.com.
Dan Egan is online at bibletidbits.blogspot.com.
Patrick Madrid is online at patrickmadrid.com. He also has a blog, and he has way more followers than us on Twitter.
Bill Donaghy is online at missionmoment.org.
Jeff Schwehm is online at catholicxjw.com.
Info on the upcoming family campout with Presentation Ministries is online at presentationministries.com.
Dr Ben Wiker has a great new book out, "The Darwin Myth"
St. Anthony of Padua Maronite Catholic Church is online here.
All are invited to join the 12th annual Corpus Christi Procession, co-sponsored by St. Teresa of Avila and St. William parishes in Price Hill, Sunday, June 14th. The celebration begins in St. Teresa Church at 2 p.m. with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Participants will then process with the Blessed Sacrament to St. William Church where the event will conclude with Benediction. Bus service will be provided for those who are unable to walk. For information call 513-921-0247.
Send your questions for Catholic counselor Kevin Prendergast to sonrise@sacredheartradio.com.
Fr Rob Jack is online at revrobjack.com.
Steve Mosher and the Population Research Institute are online at pop.org.
Rita Heikenfeld is online at abouteating.com.
Dan Egan is online at bibletidbits.blogspot.com.
Patrick Madrid is online at patrickmadrid.com. He also has a blog, and he has way more followers than us on Twitter.
Bill Donaghy is online at missionmoment.org.
Jeff Schwehm is online at catholicxjw.com.
Info on the upcoming family campout with Presentation Ministries is online at presentationministries.com.
Dr Ben Wiker has a great new book out, "The Darwin Myth"
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Today's news
Archbishop-elect Robert Carlson is installed in St. Louis today.
Detroit Archbishop Allen Vigneron is elected to be president of Catholic University's Board of Trustees
Detroit Archbishop Allen Vigneron is elected to be president of Catholic University's Board of Trustees
Guests for Wednesday, 6/10/2009
Paula Westwood and Right to Life are online at nrlc.org.
For more information on this weekend's 5k "Run for the Poor" benefitting the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, call 513-575-0119.
For information on the upcoming Diocesan Children's Home festival, call Morgan at 859-331-2040.
Jill Stanek (who is absolutely NOT the Worst Person In The World) is online at jillstanek.com.
Emily Stimpson's article for Our Sunday Visitor on technology and youth is online here.
Mike Aquilina is online at fathersofthechurch.com.
Anthony Buono is online at avemariasingles.com.
Fr Phillip DeVous is online at acton.org.
For more information on this year's EWTN Family Celebration, visit ewtn.com.
Steve Mosher and the Population Research Institute are online at pop.org.
Patrick Madrid is online at patrickmadrid.com. He also has a blog, and he has way more followers than us on Twitter.
Fr David Fisher and St. Anthony of Padua Church are online here
Michael Walsh is online at yomichael.com.
For more information on this weekend's 5k "Run for the Poor" benefitting the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, call 513-575-0119.
For information on the upcoming Diocesan Children's Home festival, call Morgan at 859-331-2040.
Jill Stanek (who is absolutely NOT the Worst Person In The World) is online at jillstanek.com.
Emily Stimpson's article for Our Sunday Visitor on technology and youth is online here.
Mike Aquilina is online at fathersofthechurch.com.
Anthony Buono is online at avemariasingles.com.
Fr Phillip DeVous is online at acton.org.
For more information on this year's EWTN Family Celebration, visit ewtn.com.
Steve Mosher and the Population Research Institute are online at pop.org.
Patrick Madrid is online at patrickmadrid.com. He also has a blog, and he has way more followers than us on Twitter.
Fr David Fisher and St. Anthony of Padua Church are online here
Michael Walsh is online at yomichael.com.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Our Latest Stats on TweetCatholic.com
Right now, we are:
#288 overallYou can find out who the "competition" is at tweetcatholic.com. In the meantime, we encourage you to start following our Twitter feed for daily updates on guests and newsy tidbits. See you there...
#85 among bloggers
#18 among podcasters
#11 among news sources
Today's news
Check out the information on the soon-to-be ordained Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia, Timothy Senior.
New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan announces that he will seek to have Old St. Patrick's Cathedral elevated to basilica status.
Pope Benedict receives the bishops of Venezuela on their ad limina visit.
New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan announces that he will seek to have Old St. Patrick's Cathedral elevated to basilica status.
Pope Benedict receives the bishops of Venezuela on their ad limina visit.
Guests for Tuesday, 6/9/2009
Rich Leonardi sends us to Zenit for the Holy Father's Angelus address on the Trinity.
Fr Phillip DeVous is online at acton.org.
Information on the upcoming Family Camp from Presentation Ministries is available here.
Scott Campbell, author of "The Ten Testaments"
Kevin Schmiesing is online at catholichistory.net.
Julie Musselman and Lighthouse Catholic Media are online here- and remember, when you subscribe, it helps the Son Rise Morning Show stay on the air!
Paula Westwood and Right to Life are online at nrlc.org.
Send your questions for Catholic counselor Kevin Prendergast to sonrise@sacredheartradio.com.
Jill Stanek (who is absolutely NOT the Worst Person In The World) is online at jillstanek.com.
For more information on this weekend's 5k "Run for the Poor" benefitting the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, call 513-575-0119.
All are invited to join the 12th annual Corpus Christi Procession, co-sponsored by St. Teresa of Avila and St. William parishes in Price Hill, Sunday, June 14th. The celebration begins in St. Teresa Church at 2 p.m. with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Participants will then process with the Blessed Sacrament to St. William Church where the event will conclude with Benediction. Bus service will be provided for those who are unable to walk. For information call 513-921-0247.
Emily Stimpson's article for Our Sunday Visitor on technology and youth is online here.
For more information on this year's EWTN Family Celebration, visit ewtn.com.
Fr Phillip DeVous is online at acton.org.
Information on the upcoming Family Camp from Presentation Ministries is available here.
Scott Campbell, author of "The Ten Testaments"
Kevin Schmiesing is online at catholichistory.net.
Julie Musselman and Lighthouse Catholic Media are online here- and remember, when you subscribe, it helps the Son Rise Morning Show stay on the air!
Paula Westwood and Right to Life are online at nrlc.org.
Send your questions for Catholic counselor Kevin Prendergast to sonrise@sacredheartradio.com.
Jill Stanek (who is absolutely NOT the Worst Person In The World) is online at jillstanek.com.
For more information on this weekend's 5k "Run for the Poor" benefitting the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, call 513-575-0119.
All are invited to join the 12th annual Corpus Christi Procession, co-sponsored by St. Teresa of Avila and St. William parishes in Price Hill, Sunday, June 14th. The celebration begins in St. Teresa Church at 2 p.m. with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Participants will then process with the Blessed Sacrament to St. William Church where the event will conclude with Benediction. Bus service will be provided for those who are unable to walk. For information call 513-921-0247.
Emily Stimpson's article for Our Sunday Visitor on technology and youth is online here.
For more information on this year's EWTN Family Celebration, visit ewtn.com.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Today's news...
A group of Catholic leaders join others in thanking President Obama for his speech to Muslims in Cairo.
Catholic Answers files suit with the IRS, claiming a violation of free speech rights.
Pope Benedict delivers his Angelus address on Trinity Sunday.
Catholic Answers files suit with the IRS, claiming a violation of free speech rights.
Pope Benedict delivers his Angelus address on Trinity Sunday.
Guests for Monday, 6/8/2009
Kevin Schmiesing is online at catholichistory.net.
Rita Heikenfeld is online at abouteating.com.
Fr Rob Jack is online at revrobjack.com.
Info on the Spirituality Institute at the College of Mount St. Joseph is available at msj.edu.
Bob Lockwood has a new book, "A Guy's Guide to the Good Life"
Rebecca Taylor is online at marymeetsdolly.com.
Cheryl Dickow and the All Things Girl (and Guy) series are online at atgseries.com.
A link to the Holy Father's Angelus address that Rich Leonardi was discussing is available here.
Steve Abdalla and Wee Believers are online at weebelievers.com.
Julie Musselman and Lighthouse Catholic Media are online here- and remember, when you subscribe to the CD of the month club through our blog, a portion of the proceeds go to keep the Son Rise Morning Show on the air!
Jennifer Fulwiler is online at conversiondiary.com.
Steven Greydanus' review of "My Life in Ruins" is up at decentfilms.com.
For information on the upcoming Diocesan Children's Home festival, call Morgan at 859-331-2040.
Rita Heikenfeld is online at abouteating.com.
Fr Rob Jack is online at revrobjack.com.
Info on the Spirituality Institute at the College of Mount St. Joseph is available at msj.edu.
Bob Lockwood has a new book, "A Guy's Guide to the Good Life"
Rebecca Taylor is online at marymeetsdolly.com.
Cheryl Dickow and the All Things Girl (and Guy) series are online at atgseries.com.
A link to the Holy Father's Angelus address that Rich Leonardi was discussing is available here.
Steve Abdalla and Wee Believers are online at weebelievers.com.
Julie Musselman and Lighthouse Catholic Media are online here- and remember, when you subscribe to the CD of the month club through our blog, a portion of the proceeds go to keep the Son Rise Morning Show on the air!
Jennifer Fulwiler is online at conversiondiary.com.
Steven Greydanus' review of "My Life in Ruins" is up at decentfilms.com.
For information on the upcoming Diocesan Children's Home festival, call Morgan at 859-331-2040.
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