The Shocking Reality of the Eucharist

Summary

Father Mike Schmitz discusses the National Eucharistic Revival, emphasizing the Eucharist as God's greatest gift and His true presence on Earth. He clarifies the literal interpretation of Jesus' words in John 6, distinguishing between the flesh as fallen human nature and the divine flesh of Christ, which is essential for salvation and redemption. Schmitz encourages Catholics and all Christians to awaken to the reality of Jesus' presence in the Eucharist.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Father Mike Schmitz introduces a series for the National Eucharistic Revival, emphasizing the importance of the Eucharist as God's greatest gift.
• 📜 The script discusses the sacraments, highlighting the Eucharist as not just a symbol but the actual presence of Jesus Christ in the world.
• 🍞 In John 6, Jesus is clear about the literal consumption of his flesh and blood for eternal life, not a symbolic act.
• 🔍 The disciples found Jesus' teachings on the Eucharist to be challenging, indicating that they understood it as a literal requirement for eternal life.
• 👨‍🏫 Father Mike explains that Jesus' statement 'it is the spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail' refers to fallen human nature, not his divine flesh.
• ✝️ The Catholic Church has consistently taught that Jesus' flesh and blood in the Eucharist are essential for salvation, contrary to some interpretations.
• 🌐 The incarnation, where God became flesh in Jesus Christ, is central to Christian belief and the redemption of humanity.
• 🙏 The Eucharist is a reenactment of the Last Supper and a continuation of Jesus' sacrifice, offering salvation to believers.
• 🤔 The script challenges interpretations that downplay the physical aspects of the Eucharist, asserting that Jesus' physical presence is crucial.
• 🔗 The discussion connects the Eucharist to the broader themes of grace, redemption, and the transformative power of Jesus' sacrifice.

Q & A

Who is Father Mike Schmitz and what is Ascension Presents?

Father Mike Schmitz is a Catholic priest and a speaker who presents content related to Catholic teachings. Ascension Presents is a platform that produces and shares his content, often focusing on religious education and discussions.

What is the National Eucharistic Revival mentioned in the script?

The National Eucharistic Revival is a movement within the Catholic Church that aims to renew and deepen the understanding and appreciation of the Eucharist among Catholics and the wider public.

Why is the Eucharist considered the greatest gift from God according to the script?

The Eucharist is considered the greatest gift from God because it represents God's very presence in the world, embodying Jesus Christ's body, blood, soul, and divinity.

How does the script explain the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist?

The script explains the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist by referencing John 6, where Jesus clearly states that the bread and wine become his flesh and blood, and by emphasizing the Church's teaching that the Eucharist is not symbolic but truly Jesus' body and blood.

What is the 'Bread of Life Discourse' mentioned in the script?

The 'Bread of Life Discourse' is a teaching by Jesus in the Gospel of John, chapter 6, where he explains the necessity of eating his flesh and drinking his blood for eternal life, emphasizing the literal consumption of his body and blood in the Eucharist.

Why did many of Jesus' disciples find his teachings on the Eucharist difficult to accept?

Many of Jesus' disciples found his teachings on the Eucharist difficult to accept because they were being asked to believe in the literal transformation of bread and wine into Jesus' body and blood, which was a profound and challenging concept.

What is the significance of Jesus' question about seeing the Son of Man ascending in John 6:62?

Jesus' question about seeing the Son of Man ascending in John 6:62 is significant because it challenges the disciples to consider his divine nature and his ability to perform miracles, such as transforming bread and wine into his body and blood.

How does the script clarify the difference between 'my flesh' and 'the flesh' in John 6:63?

The script clarifies that 'my flesh' refers to Jesus' divine and redemptive body and blood in the Eucharist, while 'the flesh' refers to fallen human nature, which is powerless without God's grace.

What is the role of the incarnation in Christian salvation according to the script?

The incarnation, or Jesus taking on flesh and living, suffering, dying, and rising in the flesh, is central to Christian salvation. It is through the incarnation that Jesus redeemed the world and provides the means for eternal life.

How does the script address the argument that Jesus' flesh is of no avail in John 6:63?

The script addresses this by distinguishing between Jesus' flesh, which is essential for salvation and redemption, and 'the flesh' in a general sense, which refers to fallen human nature that is powerless without divine intervention.