Authority, October 26, 2016 Daily Reflection

In Chapel

In Chapel

I am teaching my juniors about the sacrament of the Eucharist. In the Catholic Church we believe that the Eucharist is the real presence of Jesus Christ, through the words of the priest during the transubstantiation. We don’t believe that it is symbolic or representative of Jesus Christ but that it is Jesus Christ. I have shown my students a few excellent videos by Father Robert Barron “The Real Presence” and Busted Halo “Eucharist 101”. Father Robert Barron discusses the fact that words can effect and change reality. He talks about the role of people in authority verses those without authority. An example he gives is if I were to say “You are under arrest” you would laugh at me because I don’t have the authority as a teacher to arrest anyone. However, if a police officer says those same words, “You are under arrest” then in fact, you are under arrest. The power of the words originates from the authority of who speaks the words. God said, “Let there be light” and there was light. God’s words created creation. Jesus said, “You are healed, forgiven, or raised from the dead” and those actions occurred. Those realities were altered because God or Jesus Christ said those words. Therefore, when Jesus speaks reality is altered because of his authority. Jesus said at the Last Supper, take and eat this is my body, this is my blood. He made this into reality. Because Jesus said it is so, we believe it is so.

Is there any greater authority than God? God who created all things. God who is the alpha and the omega, without a beginning or an end? It is perplexing for our human minds to come to terms with the bread and the wine turning into the body and blood of Jesus Christ. We may never be able to completely understand it but that is where our faith comes in. If we have faith in God then can we doubt that there is anything that is impossible for God? I trust God so at the core of who I am I must believe. I cannot doubt the words that fell from the lips of Christ. God has the authority to create and altar all of reality, no matter how unbelievable!

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