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I recently heard about Edward Cardinal Egan's hospitalization
on the news.
My first question is, being that Cardinal Egan receives
Jesus Himself in the Eucharist, how is it possible for
him to get sick? Also why does the substance of the host
leaves the body after fifteen minutes?
Secondly, in Clement's Epistle to the Corinthians, Peter/Petrine
succession is nowhere directly mentioned. I understand
the first-person plural and many variants of it, but
Paul used similar language in reference to himself and
the rest of the Apostles. Similarly, could it be that
Clement's use of this speech refers to the successors
of the Apostles in general?
Finally, my father has a Good Friday custom which consists
of forbidding my brother and myself to listen to music
of any kind during that day. Is this right, or is listening
to music (like rock music) permissible, so long as the
subject matter isn't blasphemous, anti-religious or otherwise
profane?
Thank you.
Heriberto
{
Questions
about the Eucharist, Early Church writings and Good Friday
customs and traditions. }
Mary
Ann replied:
Dear Heriberto,
The Eucharist gives us eternal life with God
in heaven, not eternal life on earth! While Christ
in the Eucharist sometimes heals, usually He is
present for our spiritual nourishment.
The host does not leave the body after 15 minutes.
What you are referring to is this:
Some theologians say that when the form of the
bread/host is gone by decomposition, then the substantial
presence of Christ in the host is gone. This is
certainly true for a consecrated host that is not
consumed. However, a host that is consumed as food
retains its form of bread as long as the accidents, the
properties of bread, remain however long that
may be, perhaps until the wheat is broken down
into constituent elements. The substantial
presence of Christ remains at least until that
time.
Paul writes as Paul. Clement is writing as the
Church at Rome. Paul's authority is that of an
apostle and founder of churches. Clement is asserting
the authority of the Church "that sojourns
at Rome", not his own authority.
It is a pious custom not to listen to profane
music on Good Friday, and even to keep silence
from 12:00 noon to 3:00pm. It is not a law, and
it is not necessary, but it is God's law that you
obey your father! You could discuss this with him,
of course, and maybe come to a compromise (12-3,
for instance). It is better to do as he
asks, especially since the music can affect the
entire home, and since families should be able
to celebrate Good
Friday together. The Cross was about obedience.
Thank you for the questions.
Mary Ann
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