"This is a great sacrament, but I speak in Christ and in the Church." (Ephesians 5:32)
The Protestants do not accept that marriage is a true sacrament instituted by Christ, but rather see it as pertaining to the realm of secular government. This is why Martin Luther allowed not only divorce, but even polygamy (that a man may have more than one wife).
However, the Catholic Church insists that marriage is a true sacrament of the New Law -- the "great sacrament" as St Paul calls it. We consider the institution of matrimony from the beginning when God created Adam and Eve, the first sin as a satanic assault on marriage (even as the devil will wage his last great war as a battle over marriage and the family), and how God straight away began to heal marriage. We then turn to matrimony as a Sacrament instituted by Christ - signifying and truly making present the love of Christ and of the Church.
Friday, August 31, 2018
Sunday, August 19, 2018
Sunday Sermon, August 19 -- The Eucharist, Replies to Protestant Objections (Father Ryan Erlenbush, Corpus Christi)
Replies to typical Protestant objections against the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist:
1) Jesus says, "The words I speak are spirit and life" - but this does not mean that they are merely metaphorical or symbolic.
2) There is only one body of Jesus, and it is in heaven - but this same body is present in a new way in the Sacrament.
3) It would be cannibalism to eat human flesh - but when we receive the Eucharist we are received into Christ, for this is not ordinary food.
The real problem is that those who do not believe in the Eucharist lack faith - and we need to pray for their conversion.
In the Holy Eucharist, Jesus gives us himself even in his humanity to be our companion and friend until the end of time.
1) Jesus says, "The words I speak are spirit and life" - but this does not mean that they are merely metaphorical or symbolic.
2) There is only one body of Jesus, and it is in heaven - but this same body is present in a new way in the Sacrament.
3) It would be cannibalism to eat human flesh - but when we receive the Eucharist we are received into Christ, for this is not ordinary food.
The real problem is that those who do not believe in the Eucharist lack faith - and we need to pray for their conversion.
In the Holy Eucharist, Jesus gives us himself even in his humanity to be our companion and friend until the end of time.
Holy Day Sermon, August 15 -- The Assumption of Mary, CoRedemptrix
An explanation of the dogma of the Assumption of Mary into heaven. A discussion of the reality of her death and resurrection. Consideration of Mary's unique role in being united to Jesus our Redeemer - hence, she is truly CoRedemptrix.
Sunday Sermon, August 12 -- Spiritual Hunger for the Eucharist (Father Ryan Erlenbush, Corpus Christi Parish)
Jesus desires to inspire a spiritual hunger for the Eucharist through his Bread of Life Discourse. To have spiritual hunger, we must have faith and charity.
The Church requires the hour fast for communion as a way to remind us of this spiritual hunger.
The Church requires the hour fast for communion as a way to remind us of this spiritual hunger.
Sunday Sermon, August 5 -- The Bread of Life Discourse is not a Metaphor (Father Ryan Erlenbush, Corpus Christi Parish)
The manna in the wilderness was the miracle of heavenly bread feeding 1.4 million Jewish people for 40 years in the desert. This is 300 train cars worth of manna daily! And Jesus says that the Eucharist is greater still. The Eucharist cannot be a mere symbol, else it would not be more miraculous than the manna.
Three reasons why the Bread of Life discourse cannot be a metaphor:
1) Because of the words Jesus uses: "true food", "amen, amen", "true drink", etc.
2) Because of the reaction of the people present: Both the believers and the unbelievers knew that Jesus was speaking literally.
3) Because the saints of the ages have always interpreted this passage in the strict literal sense.
Three reasons why the Bread of Life discourse cannot be a metaphor:
1) Because of the words Jesus uses: "true food", "amen, amen", "true drink", etc.
2) Because of the reaction of the people present: Both the believers and the unbelievers knew that Jesus was speaking literally.
3) Because the saints of the ages have always interpreted this passage in the strict literal sense.
Saturday, August 4, 2018
Sunday Sermon, July 29 -- Our Rituals Bear Witness to our Eucharistic Belief (Father Ryan Erlenbush, Corpus Christi)
Jesus multiplies the loaves to give a tangible example of miraculous bread before then teaching the dogma of the Eucharist in the Bread of Life Discourse. He prepares us for his teaching by showing us a miracle.
Similarly, the Church prepares us for belief in the Eucharist by the rituals she uses during the Mass and in adoration of the Eucharist outside of Mass.
Consider: In the Mass, we know by example that the bread is changed into the Eucharist at the moment of the words of consecration, because it is after this moment that the priest holds up the Host for us to adore the Lord. Likewise, we know that Jesus is living and active in the Eucharist, because we ask him to forgive us our sins as we look to the Host and say, "Lord, I am not worthy."
Likewise, outside of Mass, we consider how the rite of Benediction and the Eucharistic Procession teach us that Jesus is a priest in the Eucharist. From the Sacred Host, he blesses his people and intercedes for us!
Similarly, the Church prepares us for belief in the Eucharist by the rituals she uses during the Mass and in adoration of the Eucharist outside of Mass.
Consider: In the Mass, we know by example that the bread is changed into the Eucharist at the moment of the words of consecration, because it is after this moment that the priest holds up the Host for us to adore the Lord. Likewise, we know that Jesus is living and active in the Eucharist, because we ask him to forgive us our sins as we look to the Host and say, "Lord, I am not worthy."
Likewise, outside of Mass, we consider how the rite of Benediction and the Eucharistic Procession teach us that Jesus is a priest in the Eucharist. From the Sacred Host, he blesses his people and intercedes for us!
Sunday Sermon, July 22 --- Devotion to the Precious Blood (Father Ryan Erlenbush, Corpus Christi)
The month of July is the Month of the Precious Blood. Devotion to the Precious Blood is a devotion to the humanity of our Savior. We worship the blood of Jesus, because he is a divine Person. Even in his humanity, he is always God.
One devotion to the Precious Blood is the Seven Mysteries of the Precious Blood:
1) The Circumcision
2) The Agony in the Garden
3) The Scourging at the Pillar
4) The Crowning with Thorns
5) The Carrying of the Cross
6) The Crucifixion and Death
7) The Piercing of His Heart
Another modern devotion which is essentially a devotion to the Precious Blood is the Divine Mercy Devotion. In this, we see the Blood of Jesus as an ocean of mercy.
One devotion to the Precious Blood is the Seven Mysteries of the Precious Blood:
1) The Circumcision
2) The Agony in the Garden
3) The Scourging at the Pillar
4) The Crowning with Thorns
5) The Carrying of the Cross
6) The Crucifixion and Death
7) The Piercing of His Heart
Another modern devotion which is essentially a devotion to the Precious Blood is the Divine Mercy Devotion. In this, we see the Blood of Jesus as an ocean of mercy.
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