Rev. Father Francis Stevenson, Pastor
Ordained: 1992
Assigned Tahoe City: July 1, 2019
November 10, 2024
Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Earlier this week, I received an intriguing article that highlighted a question put to ChatGPT or as most know it, A.I.. A.I. was asked: “How could a hostile force erode belief in the Church’s ancient and orthodox teaching regarding the Real Presence of Christ, in Holy Eucharist?”
The A.I response follows: “If a hostile group of people wanted to subtly diminish Catholic belief in the
Real Presence (the doctrine that Jesus Christ is truly present—body, blood, soul, and divinity—in the Holy Eucharist), certain adjustments to the rite of Communion could indeed influence the community’s perception over time.
Here are some plausible strategies that might be employed: Emphasize Symbolic Language: Encourage language that treats the Eucharist more as a symbol or memorial. T his might include shifting prayers and homilies to emphasize the “spiritual presence” or the meal aspect of the Eucharist, rather than the sacrificial and literal presence.
Change the Form of Distribution: Remove the Practice of Kneeling: Traditionally, kneeling for Communion has symbolized reverence for the Real Presence. Encouraging standing or more casual postures could shift perception subtly, suggesting a less sacred presence. Eliminate Receiving on the Tongue: Receiving Communion on the tongue has been regarded as a practice of reverence. By removing it and encouraging Communion in the hand, it may shift the focus from sacred
reverence to a more casual approach.
Alter the Language of the Words of Consecration: The words spoken by the
priest during consecration are central to Catholic belief in the Real Presence. A slight altering could encourage slight modifications that would make the words sound less direct, emphasizing symbolism or downplaying literal transformation.
Reduce or Remove Adoration Practices: Eucharistic Adoration, Exposition, and Benediction are practices where the faithful focus on the Real Presence outside of Mass.
Limit the Use of Altar Rails and Communion Lines: Altar rails emphasize the distinction between sacred and secular spaces, and their removal can encourage a more casual view of the sanctuary, subtly diminishing reverence for the Eucharist.
Discourage Strong Catechesis on the Real Presence: Reducing education efforts on the Real Presence or framing it as an optional belief could foster ambiguity. If catechism classes, sermons, and church literature avoid the topic or address it ambiguously, Catholics might grow indifferent to it over time.
In sum, a combination of modifying language, posture, distribution, education, and the structure of worship practices could subtly reshape perceptions over time. However, it’s worth noting that Catholic doctrine holds that belief in the Real Presence is essential and unchangeable, meaning that any such changes would likely face significant resistance from the faithful.
Unfortunately, many of these changes have already occurred. If we want a Eucharistic Revival, restoring these practices would be an excellent start.
Father Richard W. Rolfs, SJ, emeritus professor of history at Loyola Marymount University, died March 7, 2022, at Sacred Heart Jesuit Center in Los Gatos, California, at age 98. He had been a member of the Jesuits for 73 years. He had a long association with Loyola Marymount, first as an undergraduate (1946-48) and later as dean of students (1963-70) and professor of history (1974-2016, emeritus, 2008). He helped with the celebration of masses here at Corpus Christi during the summer months for over 23 years! Our sympathy to his family. He will truly be missed. To read more about Father Rolfs incredible life please go to https://www.jesuitswest.org/memoriam/rolfs-richard-w-father/