It linked the celebration of the Eucharist in a parish Church to that of the bishop. In the ancient Church there was also the practice of deacons bringing a small portion of the host consecrated by the bishop to local churches to signify unity with the bishop and with one another in holy Communion. Our lives are immersed in Christ, commingled with him. Baptized into Christ, we become members of his body. Question: Why does the priest break off a small piece of the host and drop it in the chalice?Īnswer: The small particle symbolizes us in Christ Jesus. So it is certainly beneficial to have others pray for you, especially if they are saints in heaven, and most certainly if your intercessor is the mother of the Lord! The body of Christ Yet his mother’s request is central to his change of mind and his subsequent act of turning the water into wine. Nevertheless, he changes his mind for reasons that are not obvious in the text. But he waited for his mother to ask, and he even seems to resist her initial request. Presumably, Jesus knew the needs of the couple for more wine. The wedding feast at Cana (Jn 2:1-12) is an intriguing example of intercessory prayer. And how much more so if the one who prays for you is perfected in holiness and close to God in heaven? While it remains true that one can also go straight to God, there is a long experience of the benefits of asking others and the saints to pray for us as well. It never hurts to have others pray for you. Frank Harbinger, Greenville, South CarolinaĪnswer: While you use the word important, the word beneficial comes to mind as an adjective that better describes the Catholic stance. Like what you're reading? Sign up to receive our daily email!
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