Protestants (and other ‘Christian’ sects, such as Born Again) often say that they are ‘Christ-centered,’ while we Catholics are not. But in fact, it is actually Catholics who are Christ-centered. The Eucharist is the Center of the Church, because it is Jesus Christ Himself in the flesh. He is only in the appearance of the bread and the wine. With Transubstantiation, He is really substantially present in it—we must completely believe. When we take the Holy Communion, we receive the Body and Blood of Jesus Himself, which is the best thing about being a Catholic.
Receiving Jesus Himself is the highest form of worship and adoration you can ever give Him. We are not worshiping a wafer of bread. Catholics worship the Eucharist, because the Eucharist is God. No matter how many hours or how frequent Protestants spend time in prayer meetings, ‘fellowship’ or ‘worship’ services (and considering the Holy Mass only takes an hour or less), it can never equal the worship and adoration we give Jesus in the Holy Sacrifice of the Eucharist. Even with Protestants going on daily or weekly Bible studies, it does not compare to receiving the Sacrament of the Eucharist. I encountered a few Protestants before who told me, “Catholics know nothing about the Bible, so they’re not Christ-centered,” which isn’t true at all, because we have daily Mass wherein we receive Jesus Himself in the Eucharist, and can hear the Daily Readings and Gospel. Actually, we may have reading the Daily Gospel at home as our devotion.
If we want to have Christian fellowship or a community like the Protestants say that they have, we Catholics also are invited to join to many different Ministries of the Church in our parishes, to serve as our community and fellowship, like the ones for the Youth, Singles, Married Couples, Choir, and Bible study groups with appropriate Catholic teachings. Also, the ‘fellowship’ that the Protestants have are no more than plain ‘supplements’ in life because during such gathering, although they chat with each other, sing together and discuss topics… they never eat the Bread of Life like we Catholics do, which Jesus repeatedly told us to do —
I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.”
The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us [his] flesh to eat?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.”
— John 6:51-58
That so-called ‘fellowship’ or ‘Christian community’ that Protestants have is merely a group of people. But as we take the Holy Communion, all of us in the Faith become one body. We are more than just a ‘Christian community’ because we become one body in Christ. Yes, this Consecrated Bread makes us one, because the Body of Jesus makes us one. The Church is the body of Jesus, as we are nourished in His Body: “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because the loaf of bread is one, we, though many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf” (1 Corinthians 10:16-17). Jesus is with us on earth, His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. He clearly stated, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20).
Only through the Eucharist, the Body and Blood of Christ, can we live an earthly life centered on Jesus, and have a life eternal in Heaven.
She graduated cum laude from the University of Santo Tomas, the country's Pontifical and Catholic university, with an AB in Legal Management and minor units in Theology.
As an unmarried woman, prayer holds a central place in her daily life, with a focus on the Rosary and the Divine Office. Embodying her faith, she emphasizes the growth of her inner spiritual life, guided by the wisdom of Carmelite spirituality.
God manifested to her in a unique and radical manner, which made her know Who He truly is and led her to total surrender of her life to Him.
She has studied the Bible with her family, developing a particular fondness for the Old Testament.
Her adorable and intelligent toy poodle is a delightful companion in her daily life, bringing warmth and joy to her home.
Her hobbies include reading about everything, learning Japanese and German, listening to music and playing the flute.
In her leisure time, she enjoys gaming on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch OLED, Nintendo 3DS, iOS and OS, and collecting things related to PlayStation and Nintendo.
Email: [email protected]
Like 'The Best Catholic' on Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheBestCatholic
Leave a Reply