We will continue to say what the world, by and large, will not believe, namely, that it is possible to describe homosexual behavior as sinful, perverse, abnormal, and destructive to persons and culture while at the same time being willing to lay down our lives in love for homosexual persons. In fact, we say something even more radical and unbelievable to the world, namely, that you must believe homosexual behavior is sin and harmful in order to love homosexual persons. Because God tells us in 1 Corinthians 13:6, “[Love] does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.” If you deny the truth that homosexual behavior is sin, but instead approve of it or rejoice in it, what you bring to the homosexual person will not be love – no matter how affirming, kind, or tolerant. Our aim is the biblical combination of conviction in God’s truth and compassion for God’s creation.
John Piper

Blessed Sacrament

Blessed Sacrament

BLESSED SACRAMENT

BASIC R.C. BELIEF A Roman Catholic term denoting the Host which, from the moment of consecration by a priest, becomes, by the miracle of transubstantiation, the Body of Christ.

Originally, the retaining of a consecrated wafer was for use in Extreme Unction but came to be visited and adored by the people. It can be briefly exposed for the people to worship, or for a more lengthy period as on Corpus Christi. If the lamp on the altar is lit, it denotes the presence of a consecrated Host, known as the Blessed Sacrament. People come to church to “visit the Blessed Sacrament”, or they make the sign of the Cross, when passing, as a devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.

“Devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and devotion to Mary are not simply the best way, but the only way to keep purity,” says St. Philip Neri.

POST VATICAN II The encyclical EUCHARISTAE SACRAMENTUM (6/21/73) laid down precise rules for the exposition and worship of the Blessed Sacrament.

From THE POWER OF THE EUCHARIST by Alfred DeManche, in THE CATHOLIC REGISTER, 6/23/84. “The solemnity of Corpus Christi (the Body of Christ) recalls one of the most wonderful doctrines of our faith, that Chriusdt is really present in the Eucharist – His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. Pope John Paul II makes two Holy Hours before the Blessed Sacrament each day . . . if we want more priestly vocations, more favors, solutions to our problems, devotion to Christ in the Eucharist is the answer.

Mother Teresa of Calcutta finds time in her busy life to spend three hours daily before the Blessed Sacrament.

CHRISTIAN COMMENT Christians do not have to “visit” our Lord to worship Him, for He has promised always to be with us (Matthew 28:20).

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