The Eucharist and Its Frequent Reception is Key in Counseling Spiritual Maladies
How can a counselor not recommend spiritual food for the sick? Christian counselors should encourage the frequent reception of the Eucharist for their spiritual children to cure spiritual maladies they are treating. In the Eucharist, Christ cures, forgives and brings new again. The infusion of supernatural grace and actual grace to avoid temptation and sin are of instrumental value.
Isn’t This Just a Catholic Thing?
On the contrary, this is a Christian ideal that transcends Catholicism. The moment our Lord told his apostles at the Last Supper to do this “in remembrance of me”, he intended future Christians to break bread together for their spiritual well being. On numerous occasions, Our Lord told his followers that they will need to eat of his flesh and drink of his blood to have life within them. With these commands, one cannot dismiss reception of the Eucharist as a “Catholic thing” but a pivotal part of Christian life. A pivotal part of life that not only is a social ritual for unity but also an individual experience with the Lord. An experience that help heal spiritual maladies that plague one’s life.
Yes, obviously the Protestant Churches do not concur with the Catholic doctrine of Transubstantiation and even within Protestantism, there are differences among many if the Eucharist is spirituality charged or merely symbol, but the spiritual power, even if symbolic, must carry grace.
With this in mind, can not all Christian Counselors concur that the Eucharist is an important spiritual food for their children?
From the Eucharist, whether one believes it is the body and blood of Christ or symbol, one cannot deny these advantages.
1. Christ commanded it for the spiritual survival of the soul
2. It flushes grace into the soul
3. It can give peace
4. It can give guidance
5. It can give unity
6. It can heal
7. It can protect one from evil
8. It can strengthen
So let reception of the Eucharist become a norm for Christians of all denominations. Let all share in the unity of Christ as Jesus, the greatest counselor, comes into our souls and heals our spiritual disorders.
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Mark Moran, MA, GC-C, SCC-C, GC-C