This unofficial account(, not even subscribed to @Pontifex b.t.w.,) represent the thought of the Church or Pope Benedict XVI(, a.f.a.i.k.), it made me realize something else about the Christ : « The real presence of Christ in the Eucharist is the Christian doctrine that Jesus Christ is present in the Eucharist », and receiving Jesus-Christ is also receiving God’s Grace ?
Many denominations, including the Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican, Methodist, and Reformed, hold to the definition of sacrament formulated by Augustine of Hippo : an outward sign of an inward grace, that has been instituted by Jesus Christ. Sacraments signify God’s grace in a way that is outwardly observable to the participant.
Apparently, this is a quote instituting the sacrament/eucharist/communion, in 1 Corinthians 11:23-34, after lecturing his sisters/brothers for their behaviour :
I received a tradition from the Lord, which I also handed on to you : on the night on which he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread.
After giving thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you ; do this to remember me.”
He did the same thing with the cup, after they had eaten, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Every time you drink it, do this to remember me.”
Every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you broadcast the death of the Lord until he comes.
This is why those who eat the bread or drink the cup of the Lord inappropriately will be guilty of the Lord’s body and blood.
Each individual should test himself or herself, and eat from the bread and drink from the cup in that way.
Those who eat and drink without correctly understanding the body are eating and drinking their own judgment.
Because of this, many of you are weak and sick, and quite a few have died. But if we had judged ourselves, we wouldn’t be judged.
However, we are disciplined by the Lord when we are judged so that we won’t be judged and condemned along with the whole world. For these reasons, my brothers and sisters, when you get together to eat, wait for each other.
If some of you are hungry, they should eat at home so that getting together doesn’t lead to judgment.
I will give directions about the other things when I come.
In my opinion when one say to love someone as if it was you, s.he can go further and act as if this other person was indeed myself, which would include the bread.
However that’s not very clear, at least in this excerpt.
The follow-up thought would be that not distinguishing between myself and the rest of “what is” could imply seeing everything as a part/children of God, which/who only act thusly if they treat other as ‘sisters/brothers’/himself, wheras the son of Wo.Man would only treat humans as ‘their sisters/brothers’/himself, and the son of Jacob would only treat members of his tribe as ‘sisters/brothers’/himself.
There may a profound reason if the thought of “i am one with the universe/All” has been heard at least once in the life of every human on Earth.
At least that’s my current interpretation.
I’ve learned that Zechariah was also the name of the father of John the Baptist.
The chapters 9 to 13 talk about the deliverance of Israel, which is more or less the main purpose of this book at first sight.
The thirteenth chapter has surprising things to say about prophets :
On that day, a fountain will open to cleanse the sin and impurity of David’s house and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
On that day, says the LORD of heavenly forces, I will eliminate the names of the idols from the land ; they will no longer be remembered. Moreover, I will remove the prophets and the sinful spirit from the land.
If anyone again prophesies, then that person’s birth father and mother will say, “You won’t live, for you have told a lie in the name of the LORD.” That person’s own birth father and mother will stab him when he prophesies.
On that day each of the prophets will be ashamed of his vision when he prophesies and won’t put on a shaggy coat in order to deceive.
Each will say, “I’m not a prophet. I’m a man who works the ground, for the soil has been my occupation since I was young.”
Someone will say to him, “What are these wounds between your hands?” And he will say, “These happened when I was hit in my friends’ home.”
Sword, arise against my shepherd, against the man responsible for my community, says the LORD of heavenly forces ! Strike the shepherd in order to scatter the flock ! I will turn my hand against the little ones.
Throughout all the land, says the LORD, two-thirds will be cut off and die ; but one-third will be left in it.
I will put the third part into the fire. I will refine them like one refines silver ; I will test them like one tests gold. They will call on my name, and I will respond to them. I will say, “They are my people.” And they will say, “The LORD is our God.”
[Well, they did have to fight in order to recover their land, some historical context should probably be provided here
The Gospel according to John is possibly my least favorite, but also my least known, which is why i choose it :
John 1:9-14 :
The true light that shines on all people was coming into the world.
The light was in the world, and the world came into being through the light, but the world didn’t recognize the light.
[So, the light created the world right ? And the light is the Christ]
The light came to his own people, and his own people didn’t welcome him.
But those who did welcome him, those who believed in his name, he authorized to become God’s children, born not from blood nor from human desire or passion, but born from God.
The Word became flesh and made his home among us. We have seen his glory, glory like that of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.
2:262-274 :
The likeness of those who spend their wealth in the Way of God, is as the likeness of a grain( of corn) ; it grows seven ears, and each ear has a hundred grains. God gives manifold increase to whom He wills. And God is All-Sufficient for His creatures’ needs, All-Knower.
Those who spend their wealth in the Cause of God, and do not follow up their gifts with reminders of their generosity or with injury, their reward is with their Lord. On them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.
Kind words and forgiving of faults are better than charity(/sadaqah) followed by injury. And God is Rich(, Free of all needs,) and He is Most-Forbearing.
O you who believe ! Do not render in vain your charity(/sadaqah) by reminders of your generosity or by injury, like him who spends his wealth to be seen of men, and he does not believe in God, nor in the Last Day. His likeness is the likeness of a smooth rock on which is a little dust ; on it falls heavy rain which leaves it bare. They are not able to do anything with what they have earned. And God does not guide the disbelieving people.
And the likeness of those who spend their wealth seeking God’s Pleasure while they in their ownselves are sure and certain that God will reward them(, for their spending in His Cause), is the likeness of a garden on a height ; heavy rain falls on it and it doubles its yield of harvest. And if it does not receive heavy rain, light rain suffices it. And God is All-Seer of what you do.
Would any of you wish to have a garden with date-palms and vines, with rivers flowing underneath, and all kinds of fruits for him therein, while he is striken with old age, and his children are weak(, not able to look after themselves), then it is struck with a fiery whirlwind, so that it is burnt ? Thus does God make clear His Ayât(/proofs/evidence/verses) to you that you may give thought.
[(V.2:266) ‘Umar رضي الله عنه said, “This is an example for a rich man who does good deeds out of obedience to God, and then God sends him Satan whereupon he commits sins till all his good deeds are lost.” (Sahih Al-Bukhâri, Vol. 6, Hadîth No.62).]
O you who believe ! Spend of the good things which you have (legally )earned, and of that which We have produced from the earth for you, and do not aim at that which is bad to spend from it, (although )you would not accept it save if you close your eyes and tolerate therein.
And know that God is Rich(/‘Free of all needs’), and Worthy of all praise.
Satan threatens you with poverty and orders you to commit evil deeds(Fahshâ : illegal sexual intercourse, sins) ; whereas God promises you Forgiveness from Himself and Bounty, and God is All-Sufficient for His creatures’ needs, All-Knower.
He grants wisdom* to whom He pleases, and he, to whom wisdom* is granted, is indeed granted abundant good. But none remember (will receive admonition) except men of understanding.
*wisdom means here the knowledge&understanding of the Qur’ân, and the Sunnah and one’s ability to speak and act in the correct and right way.
And whatever you spend for spendings(, e.g., in charity, charity for God’s Cause,) or whatever vow you make, be sure God knows it all. And for the wrong-doers/unjust there are no helpers.
If you disclose your charity/alms-giving, it is well ; but if you conceal them and give them to the poor, that is better for you. (God )will expiate you some of your sins. And God is Well-Acquainted with what you do.
Not upon you(, Muhammad ﷺ,) is their guidance, but God guides whom He wills. And whatever you spend in good, it is for yourselves, when you spend not except seeking God’s Countenance. And whatever you spend in good, it will be repaid to you in full, and you shall not be wronged.
(Charity is )for the poor, who in God’s Cause are restricted( from travel), and cannot move about in the land( for trade or work).
The one who knows them not, thinks that they are rich because of their modesty. You may know them by their mark, they do not beg of people at all. And whatever you spend in good, surely, God knows it well.
Those who spend their wealth( in God’s Cause) by night and day, in secret and in public, they shall have their reward with their Lord. On them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.
[(V.2:274) Narrated Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه : The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, “Seven people will be shaded by God under His Shade on the Day(, i.e., the Day of Resurrection,) when there will be no shade except His. They are :
a) a just ruler ;
b) a young man who has been brought up in the worship of God(, i.e., worships God( Alone) sincerely from his childhood) ;
c) a man whose heart is attached to the mosques(, who offers the five compulsory congregational prayers in the mosques) ;
d) two persons who love each other only for God’s sake, and they meet and part in God’s Cause only ;
e) a man who refuses the call of a charming woman of noble birth for illegal sexual intercourse with her and says : I fear God ;
f) a person who practises charity so secretly that his left hand does not know what his right hand has given ;
g) a person who remembers God in seclusion and his eyes become flooded with tears.”
(Sahih Al-Bukhâri, Vol. 2, Hadîth No.504).]
[I’ll try another traduction tomorrow, but what follows and precede this excerpt is interesting so i’ll continue after the verse 274]
Saints of the day : Sts. Jean de Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues, priests and Companions, Jesuits, Canadian Martyrs
For more information on these two saints : https://www.vaticannews.va/en/saints/10/19/sts--john-de-brebeuf-and-isaac-jogues--priests-and-companions--j.html
(I’ve spent 3h30 today, and i can’t do more than an hour, so i may not continue, or only stick to the old testament that i know the least, not that it matter, just saying 🤷♂️)