I feel a loving concern for our weekly fellowship, especially for my beloved Tamil friends who formally belong to the Catholic church.  They are so sweet and receptive about this weekly Bible teaching, but their relationship to the Bible is meager.  In Catholic circles in particular this is true, but in Protestant groups too the Bible is not cherished.

I got acquainted afresh with some of the Roman teachings, especially what it teaches on The Lord´s Supper, the i.e. the “Eucharist” (i.e. “Thanksgiving”).  For the sake of my friends I asked a few questions to their priest who bluntly told me that I as a non-member could not take part in their “Eucharist”.  I investigated anew what its teaching is. 

I was horrified as I read how the priest as the representative of Christ “is offering Christ to the Father” and:  “And as we continuously offer everything we can do to the Father, through the sacrifice of His Son, the Holy Spirit will perfect the oblation of ourselves.”  “Oblation” means “The act of making a religious offering” (Webster).  But the whole lingo of this “Eucharist” doctrine is so unapproachable that common Catholics and Protestants can´t see through the hideousness of this heresy.  They may say, “So what!  Does it matter?”

This morning I prayed about it.  “Give me wisdom to deal with it in a spiritual, anointed way – and not in a carnal, contentious spirit!” (as our “flesh” tends to do).  Then I was arrested by Ex. 38:8:  “He made the laver and its base of bronze from the mirrors of the women who ministered at the door of the Tent of Meeting”.  Then I prayed, “May Your word in our fellowship become such an adjusting “mirror”!  I felt encouraged, as our Bible ministry will be  mirrored in God´s word, and we shall press on by His word as lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psa. 119:105).

For God´s truth is not automatically being transmitted to the next generation.  It must be conquered anew in each new generation!  And it´s all gloriously summed up in the sufficiency of our crucified and risen Lord Jesus Christ!

Febr. 14, 2013, - jn