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isjalu0826
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| Posted: March 28 2007 at 6:13pm | IP Logged
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I'm a cradle Catholic (and a former nun) and still I find myself inarticulate when it comes to explaining some of the key tenets of our faith to people.
Just today a dear friend of mine was telling me how she attended her first Eucharistic Adoration last night (during our parish mission) and how peaceful it was to sit in front of the Blessed Sacrament...
But then she asked the inevitable. As she explained "they took it (the monstrance) and put the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle and locked it... but Jesus is always with us, so why do they lock it away and what does that mean, etc. etc..."
Does anyone have a good explanation for that? How do you explain Jesus is in me and in you and with us always, but then Jesus present in the Blessed Sacrament...
I hope I am explaining myself well. I am somewhat ashamed to not have the answer to this myself after all these years. I really must get myself a good Catechism!
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Helen
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| Posted: March 28 2007 at 6:48pm | IP Logged
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isjalu0826 wrote:
But then she asked the inevitable. As she explained "they took it (the monstrance) and put the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle and locked it... but Jesus is always with us, so why do they lock it away and what does that mean, etc. etc..."
Does anyone have a good explanation for that? How do you explain Jesus is in me and in you and with us always, but then Jesus present in the Blessed Sacrament... |
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Hi again isjalu!
Levels of presence.
It is true by virtue of our baptism that the Holy Trinity resides within us or when two or three gather in His name, He is present.
And it is also true, in an intense and real way, that the Lord is truly present in the Eucharistic species. The Lord is present body, blood, soul and divinity in the Blessed Sacrament.
When someone says this is too good to be true, let's turn to John Chapter six, where the Lord explains if you do not eat of my flesh and drink of my blood you will have no life in you. Many disciples left that day. The Lord turns to St. Peter and says, will you be leaving me too? (I'm just saying this to point out our Lord spoke literally. He knew He would remain with His people to the end of time, truly present in the Blessed Sacrament.)
The Mass also reflects different levels of presence. (I don't know if "levels" is the best word.) The Lord is present in His Word, the OT and epistles, and then more strongly present in the Gospel.
He becomes present under the form of bread and wine. (Completely changing the nature of the bread and wine although the appearances remain.)
Finally, in Communion, He becomes totally present to us in union.
I probably should do some searching in the CCC for a better answer. But, this can be a start.
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MicheleQ
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| Posted: March 28 2007 at 6:57pm | IP Logged
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isjalu0826 wrote:
Just today a dear friend of mine was telling me how she attended her first Eucharistic Adoration last night (during our parish mission) and how peaceful it was to sit in front of the Blessed Sacrament...
But then she asked the inevitable. As she explained "they took it (the monstrance) and put the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle and locked it... but Jesus is always with us, so why do they lock it away and what does that mean, etc. etc..."
Does anyone have a good explanation for that? How do you explain Jesus is in me and in you and with us always, but then Jesus present in the Blessed Sacrament... |
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Maybe this excerpt from the CCC will help:
1378 Worship of the Eucharist. In the liturgy of the Mass we express our faith in the real presence of Christ under the species of bread and wine by, among other ways, genuflecting or bowing deeply as a sign of adoration of the Lord. "The Catholic Church has always offered and still offers to the sacrament of the Eucharist the cult of adoration, not only during Mass, but also outside of it, reserving the consecrated hosts with the utmost care, exposing them to the solemn veneration of the faithful, and carrying them in procession."208
1379 The tabernacle was first intended for the reservation of the Eucharist in a worthy place so that it could be brought to the sick and those absent outside of Mass. As faith in the real presence of Christ in his Eucharist deepened, the Church became conscious of the meaning of silent adoration of the Lord present under the Eucharistic species. It is for this reason that the tabernacle should be located in an especially worthy place in the church and should be constructed in such a way that it emphasizes and manifests the truth of the real presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament.
1380 It is highly fitting that Christ should have wanted to remain present to his Church in this unique way. Since Christ was about to take his departure from his own in his visible form, he wanted to give us his sacramental presence; since he was about to offer himself on the cross to save us, he wanted us to have the memorial of the love with which he loved us "to the end,"209 even to the giving of his life. In his Eucharistic presence he remains mysteriously in our midst as the one who loved us and gave himself up for us, 210 and he remains under signs that express and communicate this love:
The Church and the world have a great need for Eucharistic worship. Jesus awaits us in this sacrament of love. Let us not refuse the time to go to meet him in adoration, in contemplation full of faith, and open to making amends for the serious offenses and crimes of the world. Let our adoration never cease.211
1381 "That in this sacrament are the true Body of Christ and his true Blood is something that 'cannot be apprehended by the senses,' says St. Thomas, 'but only by faith, which relies on divine authority.' For this reason, in a commentary on Luke 22:19 ('This is my body which is given for you.'), St. Cyril says: 'Do not doubt whether this is true, but rather receive the words of the Savior in faith, for since he is the truth, he cannot lie.'"212
Godhead here in hiding, whom I do adore
Masked by these bare shadows, shape and nothing more,
See, Lord, at thy service low lies here a heart
Lost, all lost in wonder at the God thou art.
Seeing, touching, tasting are in thee deceived;
How says trusty hearing? that shall be believed;
What God's Son has told me, take for truth I do;
Truth himself speaks truly or there's nothing true.213
Quote:
| I really must get myself a good Catechism! |
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I recommend this one:
This little edition is my favorite. I gave them to my RCIA candidates and catechumen at the Rite of Welcoming. It's a very nice, inexpensive, hardcover version of the CCC (2nd edition). I glue gold ribbons into the spine for page markers which makes it even nicer. Oh and it's also the edition my son will receive as a gift for his confirmation next month.
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ALmom
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| Posted: March 30 2007 at 9:41pm | IP Logged
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The above explains the reservation and exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and the difference between the Real Prescence (Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity) and other presences.
I do not know completely the reason for a locked Tabernacle but here is a reasonable stab at it:
Locking the tabernacle protects The Blessed Sacrament from desecration. Churches have been broken into, attempts have been made throughout history to get access to the Blessed Sacrament for purposes of desecration. Various acts of intolerance, outright spite and hatred, and attempts to steal and desecrate the Blessed Sacrament have been documented throughout history. Even today, we have had church break ins. So this is a very reasonable thing to do to protect the Blessed Sacrament.
Janet
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JennGM
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When I originally saw the question, I kept thinking of the symbolism of a locked Tabernacle. Jesus gave us the ultimate gift, remaining here on earth, hidden in the shape bread and wine. Hidden Godhead, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity right here on this earth.
I've heard the term repeated so often "Prisoner of Love". In that Tabernacle He waits for us. And like a prisoner, his cell has a lock and key.
But that's merely symbolic...Janet does provide the simple reason for safety and protection against abuse.
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Tina P.
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I have two questions to tag onto this thread. Why would companies sell child-sized monstrances? I can't bring myself to buy it, though I've bought the mass kit, because the Real Presence is not, nor can ever be, in this ~ for lack of a better word ~ toy. I'm thinking perhaps that the child-sized monstrance is meant to be touched with respect and awe. But in reality, we never touch the monstrance, but just gaze on it with wonder and love.
The other question I have touches on the CCC. Is there a simplified, yet not dumbed down version of the CCC? I am working with my kids through History Links which refers to the CCC often. There are some explanations that *I* have to read through several times before I can grasp them. And then I stumble through trying to explain them to my kids. I've heard that if you can't explain what you *know* to a 10 yo, you don't really know it at all. I guess that's me! Any help?
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JennGM
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Tina P. wrote:
| I have two questions to tag onto this thread. Why would companies sell child-sized monstrances? I can't bring myself to buy it, though I've bought the mass kit, because the Real Presence is not, nor can ever be, in this ~ for lack of a better word ~ toy. I'm thinking perhaps that the child-sized monstrance is meant to be touched with respect and awe. But in reality, we never touch the monstrance, but just gaze on it with wonder and love. |
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I know this is an old thread, but I realized that no one answered your question.
The child-size Mass and altar items are part of the ideas of Maria Montessori and the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Young children learn through the senses. The presentations of Mass items are reverent...they don't "play Mass" but learn the names of the items, and ponder over the use of them in the Mass. The aim is to prepare the child to participate more fully in the Liturgy.
The items are never the real thing, and the child does see the difference. Even so, they are treated with reverence and respect--they are not toys. Originally Maria Montessori had the child-sized vestments, but later changed to things are "miniature" and more like models than child-sized, so as to demonstrate, and not reenact Mass. While it's okay to "play Mass" at home, the items for the Catechesis are not intended for that.
I don't know if there is a presentation to the monstrance, so perhaps someone with more training can speak up on that question.
Tina P. wrote:
| The other question I have touches on the CCC. Is there a simplified, yet not dumbed down version of the CCC? I am working with my kids through History Links which refers to the CCC often. There are some explanations that *I* have to read through several times before I can grasp them. And then I stumble through trying to explain them to my kids. I've heard that if you can't explain what you *know* to a 10 yo, you don't really know it at all. I guess that's me! Any help? |
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Have you looked at Inos Biffi's books?
Maybe someone else knows of a version. I'm interested, also.
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mary theresa
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JennGM wrote:
I don't know if there is a presentation to the monstrance, so perhaps someone with more training can speak up on that question.
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In the 6-9 Atrium there is a presentation of the Articles and Vestments of Benediction. There are about 6 articles -- including the cope and humeral veil, the censor and the monstrance.
They are all in miniature, and are treated as you explained.
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JennGM
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mary theresa wrote:
JennGM wrote:
I don't know if there is a presentation to the monstrance, so perhaps someone with more training can speak up on that question.
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In the 6-9 Atrium there is a presentation of the Articles and Vestments of Benediction. There are about 6 articles -- including the cope and humeral veil, the censor and the monstrance.
They are all in miniature, and are treated as you explained. |
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Thanks, Mary Theresa.
I was thinking further on this, and wanted to make the point that for a child, the altar, the vessels, the priest are so far away. To see things at their level, learn the names and learn how to care (polish, reverence) for the vessels is just a simple but beautiful way for the child to become more active and more deeply a part in the Church's Liturgy.
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Jennifer G. Miller
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mary theresa
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JennGM wrote:
I was thinking further on this, and wanted to make the point that for a child, the altar, the vessels, the priest are so far away. To see things at their level, learn the names and learn how to care (polish, reverence) for the vessels is just a simple but beautiful way for the child to become more active and more deeply a part in the Church's Liturgy. |
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Jenn, I think how you describe it is the whole beauty of the CGS -- there's nothing like the moment you have a child crying out at Mass "Look, there are the cruets!" It becomes intimate to them in a way and they feel so proud and excited because it's like a wonderful secret that they have been let in on. 
(Talking about the Catechesis makes me happy. )
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Mary Theresa
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4Real Forums : Domestic Church
Topic: The Blessed Sacrament (a question)
