The Real Presence.
Presence does not deny physical reality.
I don’t know if it is the same at your church, but in my local parish, the tabernacle is off to the side, although still within the sanctuary. I have noticed that lectors, servers, and even the priest will reverence the altar of sacrifice as they are getting ready for Mass, but they rarely genuflect towards the tabernacle.
When I am at adoration outside of Mass (the Blessed Sacrament is not exposed, but reposes in the tabernacle) if the pastor, or any parish worker, such as the music director/liturgist, enters the church or walks across the sanctuary, they rarely, if ever, reverence the Blessed Sacrament. I’ve seen the same conduct at other churches.
Crisis of faith.
I always wonder why. I think that there is an ongoing general confusion as to what the real presence means to contemporary Catholics. I think there is still a crisis of faith as regards the Eucharist. I found this from a conference by the late Fr. Hardon:
“There are those who laudably emphasize the subjective aspect of Christ’s presence, but at the expense of the objective reality. Let me not be misunderstood. There is great need, even crucial need, to talk about and act upon the awareness of Christ in the Eucharist, and to raise our sentiments of love towards Him; but this cannot be at the expense of ignoring the prior fact that Christ is actually in the Eucharist, that in the words of the Church’s solemn teaching, “He is contained under the perceptible species of bread and wine.” What was bread and wine, after the words of consecration are no longer bread and wine but the living, physical, bodily presence-in a word, the real Jesus Christ. To believe in the Real Presence means to believe in the real absence of bread and wine after the consecration.
In the Eucharist there is present the “totus Christus” (the whole Christ) just as truly as He was present on earth in Palestine and as He is now in Heaven. It is the total Christ in the fullness of what makes Christ Christ, with no real difference between who He was in the first century on earth and who He is now in the twentieth century on earth. Jesus Christ is in Jemez Springs as He is also everywhere where a duly ordained priest has changed bread and wine into the Body and Blood of the Savior.
How this needs resaying in today’s Catholic world. But we are not yet finished. As so often happens, error arises among men because they have been neglecting the truth. The hydra of Communism is partly God’s visitation for the neglect by Christians of their practice of community love. So too with the Eucharist. Too many Catholics, including priests, have taken the Real Presence for granted. They complacently assume that Christ is in the Eucharist, and they proceed to leave Him there, in empty churches and empty chapels, with seldom a worshipper before the tabernacle and seldom a eucharistic thought among millions of believers, who would be offended if they were told that they ignored the greatest reality in the universe right in their midst. - Christ In the Eucharist, Fr. John Hardon
Despite the fact adoration chapels spring up across the country, and many more people commit to a regular schedule of adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, I get the impression that not a few people - those who ought to know better - regard the real presence of Christ in a sort of ”out of sight, out of mind” fashion - especially when the Sacrament is reposed in the tabernacle.
In addition, I think there is an incomplete understanding, (by a highly theologized laity), as to what the real presence actually means. Very traditional priests will sometimes say, “The presence of Christ in the Eucharist is not a physical presence, but a sacramental presence.” Fr. Neuhaus referred to this terminology in a post last Christmas on First Things; he wrote:
“Theologians of an orthodox persuasion sometimes say that the Real Presence does not mean physical presence. This is to guard against the debased notion of a cannibalistic consumption of a portion of human flesh and blood. That is indeed a gross distortion of our being encountered by, and receiving body and soul, the living Christ in his humanity and divinity. Yet I have come across people who are deeply troubled when they hear it said that the Real Presence is not a physical presence. They misunderstand that to mean that his presence is less than physical, when the point is that his presence is more than physical. The physical is part of the finitude of space and time, which is both embraced and transcended in the wonder of God become man. Finitum capax infiniti.” - Fr. John Neuhaus
I don’t know, but I think a few creative theologians and some of their students, along with some RCIA instructors, just might be complicating doctrine when it comes to instructing the faithful about the Eucharist and the real presence of Christ. I think this problem runs deeper than the issue of Communion in the hand, although that practice seems to have certainly contributed to a lack of reverence. One cannot teach that Christ is not physically present in the Eucharist, yet insist that he is truly and really present, body, blood, soul, and divinity. It is like saying, “I believe in the Eucharist as presence but not as reality, or as reality that is only presence and not objective actuality.” (Fr. Hardon)
Nevertheless, I think many contemporary Catholics must suffer from this type of misunderstanding. What other reason could there be for such a lack of reverence for the Blessed Sacrament?
The Physical Reality of Christ’s Body and Blood
in the EucharistTo avoid misunderstanding this sacramental presence which surpasses the laws of nature and constitutes the greatest miracle of its kind we must listen with docility to the voice of the teaching and praying Church. This voice, which constantly echoes the voice of Christ, assures us that the way Christ is made present in this Sacrament is none other than by the change of the whole substance of the bread into His Body, and of the whole substance of the wine into His Blood, and that this unique and truly wonderful change the Catholic Church rightly calls transubstantiation. As a result of transubstantiation, the species of bread and wine undoubtedly take on a new meaning and a new finality, for they no longer remain ordinary bread and ordinary wine, but become the sign of something sacred, the sign of a spiritual food. However, the reason they take on this new significance and this new finality is simply because they contain a new “reality” which we may justly term ontological. Not that there lies under those species what was already there before, but something quite different; and that not only because of the faith of the Church, but in objective reality, since after the change of the substance or nature of the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ, nothing remains of the bread and wine but the appearances, under which Christ, whole and entire, in His physical “reality” is bodily present, although not in the same way that bodies are present in a given place.
- Pope Paul VI in Mysterium Fidei
Photo credit: Roving Medievalist
January 31st, 2008 at 2:33 am
Wonderful post, Ter! I just love Fr Hardon. As always, he hits the nail on the head!
Your comment here has me pondering:
“…I get the impression that not a few people - those who ought to know better - regard the real presence of Christ in a sort of ”out of sight, out of mind” fashion - especially when the Sacrament is reposed in the tabernacle.”
If you are referring here, as I take it you are, to the very devout Faithful, as opposed to the lukewarm/barely-know-their-faith churchgoers, then I think the answer is simple: sensory overload.
We are human with limitations. Being ever-aware of the Divine Presence (”aware” in the way that the Divine Presence truly deserves) can be a very overwhelming thing. It can even interfere with our participating in the Mass fully, if that makes any sense. I mean, if we fully understand and were fully and completely aware of it, shouldn’t our response to the Divine Presence in our midst be total and complete Awe? I can’t imagine being able to think or read or follow a set of written prayers if I am always in a state of being completely Awe-struck.
It may be this thinking that led the Vat II guys to “deconstruct” our churches to the present state we find them in–with the Tabernacle off to the side. But I seriously think they were totally misled to do this. Most folks do NOT have this constant awareness of the Divine Presence, even the devout Faithful. (I think God made us that way for our own sanity!) Instead, by removing the Tabernacle from the central and highest place of honor in our churches to an out of the way, or side altar spot as they have done, it has both visually and symbolically lowered the most important aspect of our Faith, the Most Blessed Sacrament, and by doing this, they have unintentionally (though some say intentionally) also lowered the importance of the Blessed Sacrament in the minds of the faithful.
By the same token, the removal of the confessionals from the backs and sides of churches has done much to do away with the importance of the Sacrament of Confession/Reconciliation in the minds of the faithful as well.
January 31st, 2008 at 7:37 am
Excellent post. It’s truly astounding, isn’t it? When I’m before the Tabernacle (either prior to the beginning of Mass or in the chapel during adoration outside of Mass), I find my self quite often saying: “Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.” It’s a wonder too great for my feeble mind. And I pray often for God to turn my tepid soul fervent, for I too often find myself distracted and “ancy” as I try to be present to Him in adoration. And I’m very guilty of not spending enough time in chapel; in fact, hardly at all anymore. Even though I’ll be inspired to make a stop by my Church on a Saturday while running errands, I’ll instead choose to go elsewhere - and know deep down I’m diminished as a result.
January 31st, 2008 at 9:42 am
Georgette, the people who should know better are the liturgist, music director, RE, priest - the people responsible for giving good example. These are the folks I am referring to. Especially when the sanctuary is used as a ‘cut-through’. I’m not talking about standing in awe when they are supposed to be preparing for Mass and stuff. Traditionally, Catholics always bow or genuflect when in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament - entering the Church or the sanctuary, walking in front of the tabernacle, and so on. I understand distraction or being preoccupied, and one forgets, or even that one may be interiorly reverencing the sacrament without external display - but it seems off to me.
You comment, “Being ever-aware of the Divine Presence (”aware” in the way that the Divine Presence truly deserves) can be a very overwhelming thing. It can even interfere with our participating in the Mass fully, if that makes any sense.” It is interesting you say that, because that is similar to the turned around excuses some of the “reformers” used to justify the removal of the tabernacle from our churches and push it off to the side in the first place. But to respond to your argument, no one should have a problem praying or assisting at Mass after one has genuflected or reverenced the sacrament. Being in Church is being in a sacred space, in the divine presence, our prayers and worship become our acts of attentiveness to the divine presence. (If a person were that recollected - to be so aware of the Divine Presence - that would surely be a wonderful grace however.)
It seems to me that the devout, the daily Mass goers have a lively faith, as do most people who spend time in adoration - thus reverencing the Blessed Sacrament isn’t a problem for them - although some tend to place greater emphasis upon exposition for adoration, and ignore the practice of adoration while the sacrament is reposed. I hesitate to call other people lukewarm or Sunday Catholics now, since I cannot know their level of faith, their interior life, or even if their faith is so strong they do not need to go to Church as often as I do. Again - I think the people who should know better are the people who work in ministry at the parish. Religious Ed and Theology degrees are pretty common these days, and many people with these credentials work in local parishes - these are the folks who should know better.
I’m not saying that people should exaggerate their piety or reverence either, I just can’t help but notice the total lack of it at times - and another group I forgot to mention are the Extraordinary EMC’s - but that is another story.
I may be way out on a limb here, maybe talking and laughing in the sanctuary and ignoring the Blessed Sacrament isn’t such a big deal. I’m probably just getting old and cranky. Take what I say with a grain of salt. ;)
January 31st, 2008 at 11:49 am
Talking and laughing in the sanctuary IS a big deal, IMHO. But I also think God can handle a few impolite indiscretions (for instance immediately after Mass as the faithful are departing) on our part if one is moved by charity to say *hello* to a fellow parishioner.
That said, I try very hard to not talk inside the sanctuary. If someone approaches me and starts talking, I might reply shortly - in a whisper - and they get the hint pretty quickly.
As for your observations about “cutting through,” I’ve noticed that, too. It’s sad, really.
January 31st, 2008 at 11:52 am
Oh Terry, I totally agree with you! In fact, your point about the Vat II people using this as an excuse to move the Tabernacle,I also mentioned this (although apparently very unclearly) and what a really bad idea that was!
And I guess I was unclear in my comment that having that rare and special grace of being completely Awe-struck in the Divine Presence is NOT given to most people because many of us would probably go insane (I think I would!)
And no, you are NOT cranky to complain about folks talking and laughing in the Sancturary. It is really irreverent and shows a complete lack of understanding and respect for The Real Presence.
Your friend in Christ,
Georgette
January 31st, 2008 at 11:57 am
Georgette - I wasn’t being snarky and I wasn’t offended by your comments. I’m being tough on myself - I think I am a crank and get a little too self-righteous about stuff - it seems I ofetn expect people to be like me. No - your comments are great and they always help to clarify what I was getting at. (I’m not the best writer!)
Thanks to you and Jeron.
January 31st, 2008 at 11:59 am
Oh, and I forgot to agree that your point about the lack of reverence (or none at all) for the Blessed Sacrament exhibited by the Lector, Music Director, Parish DRE, altar servers and even Pastors is awful–even scandalous. We human creatures are visual learners. IF we see examples of piety, especially from the most visible folks at the altar, we tend to be more pious ourselves. By the same token, if we see disregard or even outright irreverence, we can’t expect folks to learn anything good from that.
Just like kids, parishioners’ habits and beliefs are more “caught” than “taught”.
January 31st, 2008 at 12:01 pm
“I’m being tough on myself”
January 31st, 2008 at 2:43 pm
Good post and comments!
Our tabernacle is also off to the side, but part of the sanctuary in a room with glass windows and doors so it is visible. Our pastor mentioned once a long time ago that we should genuflect when walking in front of those doors. I think people have forgotten that and it would be great if he would give a gentle reminder now and then. We usually sit directly across from the tabernacle and I see adults walking right by in front of it as well as children skipping, running, etc. without acknowledgement. I just think a lot of parishioners and their kids don’t know how/when to be reverent and need to be educated. On the other hand, my pastor may feel those outward acts of reverence are not that important to make a “big deal” over. I should ask him about that sometime.
It does bother me however, when I see a teenager (with her parents)receiving the Holy Eucharist in the palm of her ski gloves at communion…that shows a real ignorance of the reverence/meaning of the Body of Christ.
January 31st, 2008 at 2:58 pm
I hope to get in a post here before people move on to other posts. I serve as sacristan at my parish a couple Saturday’s a month (yes I am female but nobody wanted to do it even after they were asking for help for several months. Besides, I can get there really early and hide “behind the scenes.” I want to point this out lest anyone think I want attention or think I am a priestess-wanna-be or something.) I have responsibilites that necessitate passing the tabernacle (which is located directly behind the altar) a few times while locking/unlocking doors, turning lights on/off, checking candles etc. and I have always made a point to show reverence to Christ in repose. I do this because I love Christ and I feel that if I believe, truly believe that God is present right there, I must show my humble respect and worship of Him. There is no way to know what other church workers are thinking, but I must admit that I do feel a bit akward making these gestures if I have walked across, go 20 feet to open a door, return those 20 feet, and genuflect again with only 45 seconds of time gone by. This feeling is not so much because I am not sure it is correct, but rather how bizarre and “holier than thou” this might look to those folks present(normally only a couple of people are present as I complete my tasks.) Stupid I know, but maybe other people feel funny about that too. Not that Christ still doesn’t deserve the acknowledgement. For me I keep doing it because I would feel even wierder ignoring Christ. God Bless. Jennifer
January 31st, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Jennifer, I am like that too, it is also how I was trained. I remember when I was young and the nuns would clean the sanctuary on Saturdays. They would genuflect before the tabernacle every-time they passed in front of it. When dusting the altar they would be bobbing up and down several times in a row, each time they passed. It was a wonderful display of reverence for his Divine Majesty.
January 31st, 2008 at 4:20 pm
I’ve always been annoyed when people don’t genuflect. Of course, when I see the pastor or sacristan having to walk past the tabernacle half a dozen times in a short period, I always made an exception, but in general, when some frump saunters down the aisle and sits down without so much as a bow, it always irritates me.
Well, guess what? My right knee is getting to be like the old gray mare. It just doesn’t bend like it used to. I could quote the Duke of Aumale on the subject, but I’ll spare you. I can still manage a bend of about a quarter full. In a year or so, I might not be able to genuflect at all. Poetic justice?
January 31st, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Terry, I was trained to bow or genuflect each & every time I crossed in front of the Tabernacle, too. I don’t think today’s altar servers are taught that.
It’s really sad. And I’m gonna get whacked for this, I know, but girl servers: they’re always more concerned about their hair or nails than what’s going on at the altar.
January 31st, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Jeron, you’re right (about getting whacked). Whenever I serve as EMHC at our parish (which isn’t often, I’m on the sub list) I end up riding herd on the servers before the entrance procession. It’s always the boys who are messing around with the candle flames, trying to see if they can pass their fingers through them without getting burned. The girls don’t really seem preoccupied with their appearance. Both the boys and girls are good kids, just a little mischievous at times. Ours are trained well; they get serious when Mass starts. Those who think server training has gone to heck in a handbasket could volunteer to help out with it.
February 1st, 2008 at 10:08 am
Girls should not be servers.
February 1st, 2008 at 11:25 am
We could argue (about girls being servers) all day, but the bottom line is, it’s not our call to make. It’s up to the bishops and pastors.