casual theology

This past Sunday the Gospel reading continued it's journey through John 6. This multi-week emphasis on the Bread Of Life discourse should help us reflect more deeply on Christ's Real Presence in the Eucharist. As I shared previously this is the font & summit of our lives, both individually and as a catholic community. It is the principle source of spiritual nourishment for our souls. Yet, not everyone is a big fan. I'm not speaking here of Fundamentalist objections to transubstantiation, but about the very real spiritual world in which we live. This was brought home to me in a very personal way this past Sunday. While attending mass with my two oldest daughters I noticed a young woman sitting in the very front acting very strangely. I had discerned that she was under the influence of an evil spirit, particularly of a sexualized and sacrilegious one (for more on discernment of spirits see 1 Cor. 12). I had the very distinct impression that she was going to do something ...

As many of my friends and family know, Lisa & I spent about 10 years outside the Catholic Church. During our sojourn to non-denominational Evangelicalism we gained a deeper appreciation for our Catholic heritage and were blessed by the things our Protestant brothers and sisters taught us. As much as the Church has to offer, we can also learn quite a bit from the other members of Christ's mystical body. One such lesson is taking full advantage of what you've been given. I know many Catholics who, when looking to their seperated brethern, focus on what is lacking in these various denominations when compared to the full riches of Catholicism. In particular, it is easy on one hand to see how Christ's Eucharistic presence is missing from their worship. I would counter however, that many Protestants do more with the little they have than so many Catholics who squander this great gift of God. In light of the current liturgical focus on the Eucharist, I am speaking principall...

“I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” - John 6:35 We are in the midst of several weeks of readings from John 6 during Sunday liturgies. Here we have the story of the feeding of the multitudes and the Bread of Life discourse. What a great opportunity to reflect upon the gift of the Eucharist. The Catechism reminds us of the clear teaching of Vatican II that "the Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life." ( Lumen Gentium 11, CCC 1324) It is in the Eucharist that we both recieve the grace to live out the Christian faith and clearly see the perfect fruit and purpose of that faith: union with God. It is in the Eucharist that our souls are fed and strengthened to endure the trials that come our way. Through the Eucharist we become one Body in Christ. St. Augustine spoke of how it takes many grains of wheat being crushed, mixed with water and baked together to make one loaf of bread; and i...