Relics R Us?

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If a first class relic is a part of a saint, a second class relic something a saint used, and a third class relic something that touched either a first or second class one, Then,

The host we receive in mass is definitely a first class relic, being the *actual* body of Jesus, therefore, wouldn't every chalice used be in effect a second class relic? More importantly, since *we* ingest the host, doesn't that mean we are all third class relics ourselves?

What do you think, can I add the suffix 3.R. after my name now or not?

Frank

-- Someone (ChimingIn@twocents.cam), April 25, 2001

Answers

yes

:-)

-- Jane (JaneUlrich80@hotmail.com), April 26, 2001.


Frank: we are more than just relics:

Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? (1 Cor, 3,16)

Enrique

-- Enrique Ortiz (eaortiz@yahoo.com), April 27, 2001.


Enrique,

Actually, I was sitting in church and the relic idea popped into my head & I thought I share it. Not trying to demean anyone.

Frank

-- Someone (ChimingIn@twocents.cam), April 27, 2001.


Frank,

St Augustine said: "We have not erected an altar to the martyr Stephen, but with the relics of the martyr Stephen, we have erected an altar to God."

-- Jean-Yves (jylaut@megaweb.ca), May 09, 2001.


Actually, using those definitions, the chalice would only be a third class relic. Even though the "body and blood" of Christ would be first class, they only touched the chalice. Jesus himself didn't actually use each and every chalice, (thus making it second class), the priests are the ones using it. But the point is moot anyway, since Jesus, as far as I know, was never canonized and is the Son of God, not a "saint."

-- Billy Rudek (rudek@williamrudek.com), December 23, 2001.


Dear Billy,

Unlike relics or the classes of relics, the Blessed Sacrament is not to be thought of this way at all. It has an altogether ineffable presence, bringing eternal glory to our universe in Jesus Christ's passion, death, and resurrection. The three aspects are inseparable from this holy presence. Relics may be compared to keepsakes, matter blessed by the merit and grace obtained by the saints. Matter that has had close contact with Jesus' own physical body and blood, such as bits of the true cross, a thorn from his crown, etc., make His physical essence a reality for us. But the elements of His Blessed Sacrament are His very presence. What is the essential difference between the two states?

If we eat of food that grows on earth by the power of sunlight, we have nourishment from the sun. We are second-class relics throught the food, a first-class relic of the sun.

The sun, however, makes it ALL dependent on him. He is sine qua non, for the existence and maintenance of all life on earth. Christ's Holy Body and Precious Blood surpass even that analogy. It's as if by the sacrament we consumed the very SUN, and not just the sun's effect! I suppose my analogy is flawed. Nothing can hope to describe the power of God, and His immense love for His creatures. Not even the sun. That has been tried in the past by pagan cultures; and it fell far short of God's own glory. But I was conceptualizing by faith. It's all we ever manage in this life.

-- eugene c. chavez (chavezec@pacbell.net), December 23, 2001.


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