If we believe that the Scripture is true, how can we doubt the presence of Christ in the elements of the Lord's Supper?

The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ?
1 Corinthians 10:16

Jesus said: "I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh."
John 6:51

+ pax

It is unfortunate that Protestant churches which believe in the presence of Christ in the bread and wine at the Lord's Table have moved away from frequent celebration of the Lord's Supper. Here is what St. Thomas Aquinas said about it:

Under the old law it was the flesh of calves and goats that was offered, but here Christ himself, the true God, is set before us as our food. What could be more wonderful than this? No other sacrament has greater healing power; through it sins are purged away, virtues are increased, and the soul is enriched with an abundance of every spiritual gift. It is offered in the Church for the living and the dead, so that what was instituted for the salvation of all may be for the benefit of all. Yet, in the end, no one can fully express the sweetness of this sacrament, in which spiritual delight is tasted at its very source, and in which we renew the memory of that surpassing love for us which Christ revealed in his passion.

It was to impress the vastness of this love more firmly upon the hearts of the faithful that our Lord instituted this sacrament at the Last Supper.

+ pax

Saturday I attended a funeral out in the country. It was cool, windy, and we were surrounded by the smell of spring, grass, and earth. In my experience, the words "Unto dust you shall return" had never been so real.

+ pax

I have heard many interpretations about how to deal with Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. In my opinion, the following by Dietrich Bonhoeffer is the best.

Humanly speaking, it is possible to understand the Sermon on the Mount in a thousand different ways. But Jesus knows only one possibility: simple surrender and obedience - not intrepreting or applying it, but doing and obeying it. That is the only way to hear his words. He does not mean for us to discuss it as an ideal. He really means for us to get on with it.

+ pax

I am not at all sure if there is one right position about war and particularly our being in Iraq, but take a look at this video.
+ pax

Saint John of Avila, priest:

Dear brothers and sisters, I pray God may open your eyes and let you see what hidden treasures he bestows on us in the trials from which the world thinks only to flee. Shame turns into honour when we seek God's glory. Present affliction becomes the source of heavenly glory. To those who suffer wounds in fighting his battles God opens his arms in loving, tender friendship, which is more delightful by far than anything our earthly efforts might produce. If we have any sense, we shall yearn for these open arms of God. Can anyone but a man in whom all desire is dead fail to desire him who is wholly lovable, wholly desirable?

If you long for these festivals of heavenly joy, if you want to behold them and take part in them, be assured that there is no better way to reach them than the way of suffering. This is the way Christ and his disciples have always travelled. He calls it a narrow way, but it leads straight to life. That is why he tells us that if we want to join him, we shall travel the way he took. It is surely not right that the Son of God should go his way on the path of shame while the sons of men walk the way of worldly honour: The disciple is not above his teacher, nor the servant greater than his master.

God grant that our hearts may find no rest and seek no other food in this world, save in hardship and suffering beside the Lord's cross.

+ pax

A prayer of Girolamo Savonarola (1452-1498):
Lord, I pray not for tranquility, nor that my tribulations may cease; I pray for your spirit and your love, that you grant me strength and grace to overcome adversity; through Jesus Christ. Amen.

+ pax

It's common to have several emotional ups & downs within a 24-hr. period. I have to remind myself that, regardless of how I may feel, God is always present, always constant, always loving me.
+ pax

Mother's Day thought from Zora Neale Hurston:

Mama exhorted us children at every opportunity to jump at de sun. We might not land on the sun, but at least we would get off the ground.

+ pax

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.
Ephesians 4:4-6

Why can't we all just get along? That question doesn't just express a vague wish; Paul directs us to be in union with other Christians. This is true even if we do not agree on major points of doctrine, for example, baptism. There is only one baptism, even if our sisters & brothers in Christ do not see it our way -- or we theirs.

Why do we resist & reject union? Pride, fear, fear of loss of power, prejudice -- and other similar emotions, none of which is acceptable to Jesus.

+ pax

I've started rereading Brother Lawrence's The Practice of the Presence of God. If you're not familiar with it, I urge you to get and read it immediately. You will be blessed. Each time I read it, I find something new to inspire me to seek God with more intensity & deliberation.
+ pax

Martin Luther:
This life, therefore, is not righteousness, but growth in righteousness; not health, but healing; not being, but becoming; not rest, but exercise. We are not yet what we shall be, but we are growing toward it. The process is not yet finished, but it is going on. This is not the end, but it is the road. All does not yet gleam in glory, but all is being purified.

+ pax