March 22, 2012 – Catechism 1406-1419

Since these are just the summary paragraphs, I thought I would find something else to reflect on. I hear a lot about Catholics following the doctrines of men and not God and that our teachings aren’t from the original Christianity. There is a thought that the first Christians did it a certain way and that somewhere along the way Catholic men changed a lot of teachings and that the Reformation was going back to the way it was originally. Here is a description of what Christians thought of the Eucharist in the second century. If this is what they thought, I am curious as to when they strayed from the “real” teachings of Christ. If you believe Christ died around 33 AD, St. Paul died around 67 AD, John wrote Revelations around 90 AD, you would have to think that at least until the year 100 they were still teaching the “real” Christianity that Reformers believe in. If this was written before 165 AD, can you point to the year between 100 and 165 that man made teachings took over. Point to the writing that sent them off course. Or, agree that the earliest Christians believed in the real Presence in the Eucharist as Catholics do today and realize that the “reformers” may have only been “changers”.

St. Justin Martyr (100–165): First Apology: Chaps. 65-66

CHAPTER LXV -- ADMINISTRATION OF THE SACRAMENTS.

But we, after we have thus washed him who has been convinced and has assented to our teaching, bring

him to the place where those who are called brethren are assembled, in order that we may offer hearty

prayers in common for ourselves and for the baptized [illuminated] person, and for all others in every

place, that we may be counted worthy, now that we have learned the truth, by our works also to be found

good citizens and keepers of the commandments, so that we may be saved with an everlasting salvation.

Having ended the prayers, we salute one another with a kiss. There is then brought to the president of the

brethren bread and a cup of wine mixed with water; and he taking them, gives praise and glory to the

Father of the universe, through the name of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, and offers thanks at

considerable length for our being counted worthy to receive these things at His hands. And when he has

concluded the prayers and thanksgivings, all the people present express their assent by saying Amen. This

word Amen answers in the Hebrew language to genoito [so be it]. And when the president has given

thanks, and all the people have expressed their assent, those who are called by us deacons give to each of

those present to partake of the bread and wine mixed with water over which the thanksgiving was

pronounced, and to those who are absent they carry away a portion.

CHAPTER LXVI -- OF THE EUCHARIST.

And this food is called among us Eukaristia [the Eucharist], of which no one is allowed to partake but the

man who believes that the things which we teach are true, and who has been washed with the washing

that is for the remission of sins, and unto regeneration, and who is so living as Christ has enjoined. For

not as common bread and common drink do we receive these; but in like manner as Jesus Christ our

Saviour, having been made flesh by the Word of God, had both flesh and blood for our salvation, so

likewise have we been taught that the food which is blessed by the prayer of His word, and from which

our blood and flesh by transmutation are nourished, is the flesh and blood of that Jesus who was made

flesh. For the apostles, in the memoirs composed by them, which are called Gospels, have thus delivered

unto us what was enjoined upon them; that Jesus took bread, and when He had given thanks, said, "This

do ye in remembrance of Me, this is My body;" and that, after the same manner, having taken the cup and

given thanks, He said, "This is My blood;" and gave it to them alone. Which the wicked devils have

imitated in the mysteries of Mithras, commanding the same thing to be done. For, that bread and a cup of

water are placed with certain incantations in the mystic rites of one who is being initiated, you either

know or can learn.