Does the Context of John 6 Support the Claim that the Eucharist Was Symbolic?

Posted on by Jeff Cassman

Danny over at Twitter made the following claim:

If you didn’t ignore the context of John 6, you’d understand Jesus was speaking spiritually and metaphorically.

I respond:

Danny’s claim that John 6 is symbolic or metaphorical is common among Protestants, but let’s unpack it with some Scripture and logic. First, the heart of the debate is John 6:51-58, where Jesus says things like, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven… the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh,” and “Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life.” Danny argues this should be taken metaphorically, but does that really hold up when we look at the context?

1. Jesus’ Audience Took Him Literally Notice how the Jews react in John 6:52: “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” They clearly took Him literally. If Jesus was just speaking symbolically, He could’ve clarified. Instead, He doubles down, getting even more graphic by saying, “My flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink” (John 6:55). In fact, when His own disciples grumble in verse 60, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” Jesus doesn’t backtrack. He doesn’t say, “Wait, guys, I meant this symbolically!” He lets them walk away. If His message was just symbolic, why didn’t He clarify? Instead, He challenges them even more!

2. “Spirit and Life” Doesn’t Mean “Symbolic” Danny might point to John 6:63, where Jesus says,

… Read the rest

Is Praying to Mary a Problem?

Posted on by Jeff Cassman

Over on Twitter a protestant asks:

I keep seeing many say something like the following, “we are just asking them to pray for us, we are not praying directly to them.” Ok, I get that, but how does it accord with a prayer like this Fatima one? It seems to go far further than just asking for Mary to pray to God for us: “O Immaculate Heart of Mary, Queen of Heaven and Earth, and the tender Mother of men, In accordance with your ardent wish made known at Fatima, I consecrate to your Immaculate Heart myself, my brethren, my country, and the whole human race. Reign over us, Most Holy Mother of God, and teach us how to make the Heart of your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, reign and triumph in us even as It has reigned and triumphed in you. “Reign over us, dearest Mother, that we may be yours in prosperity and in adversity; in joy and in sorrow; in health and in sickness; in life and in death. O most compassionate Heart of Mary, Queen of Virgins, watch over our minds and our hearts and preserve them from the deluge of impurity which you did lament so sorrowfully at Fatima. We want to atone for the many sins committed against Jesus and you. We want to call down upon our country and the whole world the peace of God in justice and charity. Therefore, we now promise to imitate your virtues by the practice

… Read the rest

What about the SSPX?

Posted on by Jeff Cassman

I get a lot of questions about the Society of Saint Pius the Tenth (SSPX), from well-meaning Catholics.  The bottom line about the SSPX is this:

  1. They are a fraternity of Catholic priests in communion with Pope Francis
  2. Their orders are valid.
  3. Their liturgies satisfy your Sunday obligation
  4. Their sacraments are valid.

Some lay faithful have the desire to dig more deeply into the matter and/or have been misled by enemies of Tradition on one or more of the aformentioned facts.  For those who want to learn more about the details, I’m providing some very brief resources below.

Canon Law

Can. 1248 §1. A person who assists at a Mass celebrated anywhere in a Catholic rite either on the feast day itself or in the evening of the preceding day satisfies the obligation of participating in the Mass.

http://www.vatican.va/archive/cod-iuris-canonici/eng/documents/cic_lib4-cann1244-1253_en.html

Excommunication of the SSPX Bishops Lifted
http://w2.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/apost_letters/documents/hf_ben-xvi_apl_20090702_ecclesiae-unitatem.html

The Canonical Mission of the SSPX

Pope Francis personally granted the SSPX authority to ordain and discipline priests without needing permission of the local ordinary. He named Bishop Fellay named Canonical Minister of the First Instance, and then of the Second Instance also
https://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=31663

https://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2017/05/for-record-rome-has-given-sspx-right-to.html

Bishop Fellay given a canonical ministry with authority to discipline clerics.
https://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2015/06/for-record-ecclesia-dei-secretary.html

Permission to Ordain Priests

Pope Francis has authorized the SSPX to continue legally and licitly ordaining Priests, even without requesting permission from local Bishops (which, in some cases, they do anyway, and they always respect the Bishops, the Shepherds of the Church).

https://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=31663

Faculties for Marriages

Pope … Read the rest

A Prayer for Departed Non-Catholic Friends and Family

Posted on by Jeff Cassman

O Sovereign Lord, who in Your infinite wisdom, justice, and mercy, governs all creation, we humbly come before You today to pray for the soul of [Name], who has departed from this life outside the visible bounds of the Holy Catholic Church.

You alone know the hearts of men and the mysteries of Your grace. We entrust [Name] to Your loving care, knowing that Your mercy is boundless and Your justice is perfect.
Grant, O Lord, that in Your compassionate judgment, You may look upon [Name]’s faith in You and the love they bore towards Your Holy Name. Forgive any sins they may have committed, whether in thought, word, or deed.

In Your mercy, purify their soul, and if it be in accordance with Your divine will, welcome them into the eternal joy of Your heavenly kingdom. May they behold Your face in glory and be united with all the saints and angels in praising You forever.

O Mary, Mother of Mercy, intercede for [Name] and bring their soul before Your Divine Son. May all the saints, including St. Michael the Archangel, and St. Joseph, the patron of a happy death, pray for [Name]’s swift entry into eternal rest.

We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.… Read the rest

From Vows to Victories: 30 Years of Marriage and Parenthood

Posted on by Jeff Cassman

Today marks an extraordinary milestone: the 30th anniversary of our marriage. It is a day of reflection, gratitude, and awe for the divine grace that has sustained us through three decades of love, trial, challenge, and commitment.

Thirty years ago, we stood before God, family, and friends on a hot summer day in west Nashville, pledging to love and cherish each other for better or worse, in sickness and in health. Little did we know the incredible journey that lay ahead, a journey illuminated by laughter, love, sweat, tears, and the blessing of our 14 children.

In those early days, we faced open resistance and hostility from family members who doubted our union, questioned our choices, and did everything possible to prevent our happiness and marriage. These challenges tested our resolve and faith, teaching us the powerful lesson of the importance of companionship, fortitude, and forgiveness. Forgiving those who never apologized required immense strength and grace, but it freed us to build a life based on love, not resentment.

We spent our honeymoon in a Uhaul, driving from Nashville to Davis-Monthan AFB to establish our home in a dark one-bedroom apartment. I went to school at night, worked a second job and deployed around the world while you nurtured #1 and #2.

That was just the beginning of a marathon of unwavering dedication, boundless love, and enduring patience.

Our marriage is a song of fire and ice, joy and sorrow, strength and vulnerability, hope and forgiveness. We’ve faced trials that … Read the rest