The Catholic Undertow

Mary Ann Collins, A Former Catholic Nun

Chapter 14

The Presence of God

Some Catholics have asked me how I can have peace or joy without the Eucharist (Catholic communion). There are two answers to this question.

First, the Bible says that we can have peace in a way that has nothing to do with taking communion. It is based on relationship, rather than sacraments. Scripture says:

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” (Isaiah 26:3)

“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:4-7)

Second, there are some problems with the Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation. According to this doctrine, when a Catholic priest consecrates bread, it literally turns into the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ. The same thing is said to happen when a Catholic priest consecrates wine.

When I was a Catholic, I went to communion as often as possible. I also prayed in front of the Tabernacle (an ornate container where consecrated communion wafers are kept.) I believed that Jesus was in there. I wanted to be with Him.

When I was a Catholic, I sometimes attended special services called Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. A large, consecrated Host (communion wafer) was put in a Monstrance. (This is a large, ornate, metal container, in the basic shape of a sunburst. It has a stem and a base so that it can stand up.) The Monstrance looked like it was made of gold. It had a circular chamber in the middle, which held a large, round Host. The front of the chamber was glass, so you could see the Host. Visually, it looked like gold rays were coming out of the Host. (You can see pictures of Monstrances online.)[1]

The priest put the Monstrance on the altar. We worshiped the Host, believing that it was Jesus Christ. There were special prayers and special songs in honor of the Host. At the end of the service, we had Benediction. The priest held the Monstrance and made the sign of the cross with it. We believed that Jesus Himself was blessing us.

There are some Biblical reasons for not believing that the bread and wine are literally transformed into Jesus Christ. Many things could be said about that, but I will only mention one of them--Jesus’ use of symbolic language. Jesus often used metaphors and symbolism. For example, Jesus said:

“...Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” (John 10:7-9)

However, we don’t believe that Jesus literally is a door. We don’t ritually walk through sacred doors in order to be saved and become part of Jesus’ flock.

Even if consecrated bread really did turn into Jesus Christ, it would only bring His presence for a short time. This is what would happen when you took communion. You would eat the consecrated bread. Because of that, Jesus would be inside of you, but only until the bread was digested. Once the bread was gone, then Jesus would also be gone. If you only took communion at Mass on Sundays, then Jesus would be inside of you for a few hours on Sundays. The rest of the time, He would be gone.

This is not what we see in Scripture. Jesus promised to stay with us, to be with us all the time. He said:

“...lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” (Matthew 28:20, emphasis added)

Jesus said that a time would come when we would realize that He truly lives in us, and we truly live in Him. He said that He would abide in us (live in us). Jesus said:

“At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.” (John 14:20)

“Abide in me, and I in you...” (John 15:4)

Jesus expects Christians to dwell in Him, and to have Him dwell in them. Jesus should be our home. We should be His home. This should be a normal part of Christian life.

The Bible tells us that God will be with His people and that He will be in His people. This does not depend on circumstances, or on consecrated bread. Rather, it depends upon our personal relationship with God. Scripture says:

“Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.” (1 John 4:15)

“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith...” (Ephesians 3:17)

“He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.” (2 John 1:9)

“God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.” (1 John 4:16)

“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16)

“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20)

There are countries where Christians are being persecuted. Some Christians have been killed because of their faith. Others have been put in prison. If Christian prisoners are unable to take communion, does that prevent Jesus from being in them? Would He make His presence depend on circumstances over which persecuted Christians have no control? Would Jesus deny His presence to His most faithful followers--the people who paid the highest price to be faithful to Him--right when they need His presence the most, because of the hardships that they are enduring?

Christianity works everywhere, for all people, regardless of their circumstances. It works for persecuted Christians who are in prison, and who have no access to communion.

Having God’s presence in our lives does not depend on our circumstances. It depends on our relationship with God. If we truly love God, then He will be with us. He will abide in us, which means that He will take up permanent residence in us. That is why the Apostle Paul says that we are God’s Temple. (1 Corinthians 3:16) God actually dwells in us.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

For me, one of the most difficult things about leaving the Catholic Church is what I had been taught about the Eucharist. I wanted the presence of God, and I thought that I had to have the Eucharist in order to do that. Three Scripture verses helped me. Jesus promised that He would always be with us. He said: “...lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:20) He promised to be with us whenever two or three of us gather in His name. (Matthew 18:20) And God said that He “inhabits” our praises. (Psalm 22:3)