Communion, or “Eucharist,” in the Catholic Church is a big deal. The controversy goes back to the mid-1300s and a man named John Wycliffe. Wycliffe held a degree in theology from the University of Oxford, England. He served as a professor of this university and also became involved in England's politics. He believed the Church to be a government that was corrupt, and thus he began attacking the Church.
In one of his arguments, he claimed the Eucharist was consubstantiated, meaning that Jesus coexists with the bread and wine. Up to this point the entire Church body believed the Eucharist was transubstantiated (whether they used that word or not), meaning the bread and wine actually turned into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. Although the appearance is bread and wine, those partaking in it truly knew it was the Body and Blood of Christ.
Wycliffe accused the priests of believing they had “magical powers.” As history unfolded, Wycliffe's movement went underground and eventually emerged nearly 200 years later with the Reformation. It has been over 500 years since the Reformation, and this issue of transubstantiation versus consubstantiation still has not been resolved. It has resurfaced as top news in discussions regarding whether Kerry should or should not receive the Eucharist — an issue that threatens once again to divide Catholics from one another.
The Catholic Church teaches transubstantiation and can biblically support its doctrine. John 6:55 reads, “For my flesh is true food, and my blood true drink.” Jesus already knew that if we could not see the spiritual world than we would need something physical to remind us of His presence and His love. Thus, at the Last Supper, He blessed bread, broke it and distributed it among His Apostles saying, “This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me” (Luke 22:19).
Jesus warned His Apostles that this Communion, the coming together of his spiritual and physical presence in the Eucharist, would be a point of contention. In chapter 6 of John's Gospel, Jesus preaches on how He will ask His followers to eat His body and drink His blood. “As a result of this, many of His disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied Him” (John 6:66).
It is through transubstantiation that Jesus gives Himself — true life — to us. In order to receive Jesus fully, we must be pure in heart and mind. “For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body, eats and drinks judgment on Himself” (1 Cor 11:29).
The priest does not do “magical tricks” at the altar as Wycliffe claimed. It is the advocate sent by Jesus — the Holy Spirit — who does the work. The priests do not say magical incantations; they say the words of Christ. You see, if the bread and wine is truly Jesus, as He Himself said, and if He is truly made present by the Holy Spirit, who is Love Itself, than the Eucharist is truly life-giving.
The Eucharist gives life.
Abortion takes away life.
The Eucharist is Jesus because He said, “This is my body.” Abortion takes Jesus away because we say, “This is my body.” Do you see the contradiction? That's why the issue of John Kerry (and others who publicly promote abortion) receiving the Eucharist is such a big deal.
© Copyright 2004 Catholic Exchange
Donetta Robben is a free-lance writer and public speaker from Hays, Kansas. She holds a Master's Degree in History from Fort Hays State University. She also coordinates the Salina Diocese Rachel's Vineyard Retreats, a ministry for post-abortive men and women.
