Quintessence of Religious Doctrines - Malankarasyriac Voice

CommentThe results of receiving the Eucharist are explained. Theyare not in any way material but rather of spiritual nature.Obviously remission of sins is effected. However, salvationand eternal life in Christ are the other graces that flow as asequel.5. Those who consume them without discrimination and devotionshall incur the judgment of God.Ref: 1Cor. 11: 29, 30. For, if he does not recognise themeaning of the Lord’s body, when he eats the breadand drinks from the cup, he brings judgment onhimself as he eats and drinks. That is why many ofyou are weak and ill and several have died. (G.N.B.)CommentThose who eat and drink of the body and blood of Christ,without due preparation and in a casual manner will incurthe judgement of God. The priest who administers theEucharist to such persons, however, is not guilty of havingdone so.6. Holy Eucharist is not only a blend of the blood and body ofJesus Christ.Ref: 1Cor. 10:16. The cup we use in the Lord’s supperand for which we give thanks to God when we drinkfrom it, we are sharing in the blood of Christ. Andthe bread we break: when we eat it, we are sharing inthe body of Christ. (G.N.B.)CommentIt is true that the Eucharist has come to consist of the elementsof blood and body. But it is well to remember what Dr. J.S.Whale of the Cambridge University has opined: Mankind hasattempted more than once to alter the constitutive elementsinto fish and water, cheese cakes and water, wine in place ofwater etc. However the Church decreed in favour of breadand wine as the elements, in deference to what Jesusemployed at the Last Supper.28On the Holy Eucharist 55 56Quintessence of Religious Doctrines7. But also a sacrament and an offering as per the NewDispensation.Ref: (a) Mal. 1:11. People from one end of the world to theother honour me. Everywhere they burn incense tome and offer acceptable sacrifices. (G.N.B.)(b) Mt. 5:23, 24. So if you are about to offer your gift toGod at the altar and there you remember that yourbrother has something against you, leave your giftsthere in front of the altar, go at once and make peacewith your brother, then come back and offer yourgift to God. (G.N.B.)(c) Eph. 5:2. Your life must be controlled by love, just asChrist loved us and gave his life for us as a sweetsmelling offering and sacrifice that pleases God.(G.N.B.)CommentEucharist, however, is more than a mere blend of bread andwine. It is a sacrifice as well. Unlike the O.T. blood sacrifices,the Eucharist is a bloodless one. Ancient Fathers like Ignatiusof Antioch, Cyprian, Irenaeus, et. al. considered Eucharist tobe a sacred sacrifice. Probably due to their teachingsChristians of the closing years of the First Century, if notearlier, began to revere the Eucharist as ‘hallowed, mysteriousand unique’.8. This sacrifice is greater and effective than the blood sacrificesprescribed by Moses which foretasted the singular sacrifice ofJesus Christ.Ref: (a) Heb. 9:13, 14. According to the Law of Moses, thosepeople who became unclean are not fit to worshipGod. Yet they will be considered clean if they aresprinkled with the blood of goats and bulls and withthe ashes of a sacrificed calf. But Christ was sinlessand he offered himself as an eternal and spiritualsacrifice to God. That is why his blood is much morepowerful and makes our consciences clear. (L.B.)(b) Heb. 10:1. The Law of Moses is like a shadow of the