Fr. Tryphon
God is everywhere present and fills all
things. There is no where He is not. Hell fire is none other than the
Fire of God, burning those who are unloving and unresponsive to His
invitation to commune with Him. God does not send anyone to hell, for we
sentence ourselves. Eternity with God necessitates a transformation of
our souls, that we be purified in order to be engulfed by God’s
uncreated light. Without transformation the fire of God burns us, not
because He desires we be burned, but because our fallen nature can not
withstand the presence of God without having been purified.
The Eucharist is the very medicine that God designed for this
transformation. Our response should be one of humble submission to this
invitation to commune with the very God Who created us. Holy Communion
is meant to be the very agent that changes us, making us whole. The Holy
Mysteries give us life. Frequent confession and communion are the means
we have for change.
The Eucharist is both mystical and symbolic and is understood to be
the genuine Body and Blood of Christ, precisely because bread and wine
are the mysteries and symbols of God’s true and genuine presence and His
manifestation to us in Christ.
The Holy Eucharist defies analysis and explanation in purely rational
and logical terms, precisely because it is a mystery. The Eucharist, as
is Christ himself, is a mystery of the Kingdom of Heaven which, as
Jesus has told us, is “not of this world.” The Eucharist, because it
belongs to God’s Kingdom, is truly free from the earth-born “logic” of
fallen humanity.
Saint John of Damascus says, “If you enquire how this happens, it is
enough for you to learn that it is through the Holy Spirit … we know
nothing more than this, that the word of God is true, active, and
omnipotent, but in its manner of operation unsearchable”.
Before the reception of Holy Communion the following prayer is
generally recited by the priest on behalf of all. It is each person’s
act of personal commitment to Christ, their promise of faith in Him and
the Sacred Mysteries of His Church.
I believe, O Lord, and I confess that
Thou art truly the Christ, the Son of the Living God, who camest into
the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first (1 Timothy 1:15).
I believe also that this is truly
Thine own most pure Body, and that this is truly Thine own most precious
Blood. Therefore I pray Thee: Have mercy upon me and forgive me my
transgressions, committed in word and deed, whether consciously or
unconsciously.
And make me worthy to partake without
condemnation of Thy most pure Mysteries, for the remission of sins and
unto life everlasting.
Of Thy Mystical Supper, O Son of God,
accept me today as a communicant. For I will not speak of Thy Mystery
to Thine enemies, neither like Judas will I give Thee a kiss; but like
the thief will I confess Thee: “Remember me, O Lord, in Thy Kingdom.”
May the communion of Thy Holy
Mysteries be neither to my judgment, nor to my condemnation, 0 Lord, but
to the healing of soul and body.
This article was posted on Saturday, November 15, 2011 on The Morning Offering which can be found here: http://morningoffering.blogspot.com/
Source-Pemptousia.com
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