Re: Where is the Body of Christ?

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: Anne Ward! : It's good to hear from you again. I was just asking Phil about you the other day. I hope your : eyes have fully recovered and you are doing well. : It's nice to have you with us. : Thanks for taking the time to respond to my comments. I sometimes use shalomplace to think aloud. It's good to hear other viewpoints and opinions. : Now, Anne, let's pretend we're in Starbucks and : having a chat over a good cup of coffee (for you) : and milk (for me). (I hate coffee!) Oh, we're munching on brownies, too, ok? ......sooo..... : Anne said: : : *God's love...ah, how marvelous it is! But you know, Love seems to be a bit of a challenge : : sometimes. Does God's love cover and excuse all 'things'...all behaviors? I wonder. I know : : He is a God of compassion; but there is Justice in there somewhere, I think.* : D: : A tad of justice, Anne. Just a tad. When we do : something wrong, the 'punishment' is inherent in the behavior itself. There's no need for God or a religious authority figure to punish us. So many of the things we do are out of ignorance and immaturity, anyway. We can be such silly creatures. In that case, we : really need a God that loves us through it all. The God of overwhelming Love, Compassion, and Mercy. : ........ : D said: : : This way of thinking seems to have also spread to various organizations where, if a certain : : speaker is : : present, others immediately withdraw support or condemn the entire proceedings. : A: : : *guess that is what is called--varied opinions! And thankfully we CAN take umbrage, if we : : want! :) sure beats having someone, whose viewpoints are anathema to you personally shoved : : down your throat! ....gracious...I think of pro-life and its stand against abortion [a nice word : : for murder, IMVHO] objecting to a proponent of abortion speaking at a Catholic : : University...or such. Thanks be to God that they have the courage to stand up and be : : counted.....* : D: : One of the examples I was thinking about, Anne, was the case of Sr. Joan Chittister. She had an article in NCR some time ago naming the bullying in the Church for what it is. Later, other people in the Church tried to prevent people from hearing her speak. : Saying our truth does not come easy Anne. There is usually a great price to pay. : Now, I won't get into a discussion with you about the abortion issue here but I do think it is dreadful to call it 'murder.' I think bigots use inflammatory words like that to hurt people and : initiate hate based violence. The Anti-Defamation League has a guide for adults and children called, "Hate Hurts." It talks about the various forms of prejudice, violence, and bullying. There sure is a ton of judgment contained in that one word, in my opinion anyway. : ........ : More of D: : : Yet, as I understand it, the Body of Christ is present not only in the Eucharist but also in each : : and every one of us. For example, Mother Theresa saw the Body of Christ present in the street : : people. : A said: : : *We see Christ in one another, but not necessarily THE Body that is present in the Eucharist! : : All of us are see our wonderful 'Christ' in others...but Diana, that is totally different than the : : Christ present in the Eucharist.* : Paul said it Anne. Now, it's not me but Christ who lives in me......I bet you know the number of the verse. : : A: : : *I would guess the Magisterium....that would be my guess. : : As for Rainbow Sash...last summer they appeared at the Bishops Meeting in Washington, : : appeared at the Eucharist BUT were told ahead of time, by the bishops, that they..the R.S. : : would not be allowed to receive. : : Sounds callous, uncaring..lack of compassion BUT...you know, who can tell if the person : : wearing the sash is an 'active' homosexual, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered individual? : D: : ...and how can they tell what we married people are doing in the privacy of our bedroom? Would it be right for them to base their entire opinion on us as human beings and our reception of the Eucharist because of what we do or do not do with our private parts? : : More D: : : Can denying the Eucharist to people keep them from the Christ within? What good purpose can : : it ever serve? : : *It might keep a soul from being put in jeoprody (sp)...if they received our Lord and were : : NOT in a state of grace. Now, no priest knows who is and who isn't in a state of grace as they : : come down to receive, BUT if you are wearing a Rainbow Sash... let everyone know your : : intent, then it is questionable.[for is this person 'active' inactive..??] ..* : Anne, as I heard it, there were two bishops who did, indeed, allow Communion to be distributed to people wearing Rainbow Sashes. : : D said, : : I find this situation offensive and counterproductive. : Anne said, : : *I find it protective ..of our Lord and His Body.* : : Anne, do we have to protect our Lord? Look at how God sent Jesus here to die in order to conquer death. Perhaps, that is what must happen now to the Eucharist. It may need die in one conceptual way in order to be born in another. : D said, : : I think it alienates far more than it benefits anyone : : associated with it in any way. : : Anne said, : : *surprise..but i disagree. I think it gives great hope to the Body of Christ..the faithful..that the : : Church will stand up and uphold what it teaches. Gives me great hope....* : Anne, Phil always told me we were 180 degrees theologically different. No surprise. :) Anyway, thanks. I like hearing your viewpoints. : : *this puzzles me beyond belief.....The Body of Christ in the Eucharist is the consecrated Body : : of our Lord.... : : In what way do you propose considering that it already exists in people? well, it does...for a : : wee bit of time..after receiving our Lord...but after that ??? : : Christ is to be seen in all people, yes; but not the consecrated Body of the Eucharist. : : Are you saying that ALL people, no matter who they are; no matter their state of grace; or : : whether they even believe in Transubstantiation should be allowed to receive because He : : already exists within them? : : I need some clarification of what you mean....:) : : ok, Anne, I'll try.... We have a false self and a : Christ self. Our Christ self is the self that Paul is talking about in the above mentioned verse.... in my opinion. We are actually evolving : into other Christs, as I understand it. Not imitations of Christ but adopted Christs! : That is not : identical to the real presence in the Eucharist but that is equally important. Therefore, to place undue emphasis on the Christ present in the Eucharist and to judge and exclude your brother or sister is not in keeping with Gospel values, as I understand them. I don't think we can compartmentalize and tidy up where Christ resides and relegate him only to the Eucharist. That would give the Church a monopoly over Christ. I don't think he came here to found monopolies. In fact, he went out of his way to be with those who were shunned by society. : : : *and Diana.. ...IF you were given the opportunity to define what comprises the Church and its : : sacraments.....what would you say? * : The Church would be the "People of God." : I haven't come up with a formal definition for the Sacraments yet....:) : : anne : : ps. I am trying to respond in a different way...hope it works. If not...well...?? : It's working Anne. I'm enjoying this. : Love you, : Diana : I'll get to your other post later. : Thanks for sharing the online milk and brownies. :))) That's my milk moustache!

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