284. Does the breaking of the bread divide Christ?
(Comp 284) The breaking of the bread
does not divide Christ. He is present whole and entire in each of the
eucharistic species and in each of their parts.
“In
brief”
(CCC 1377)
The Eucharistic presence of Christ begins at the moment of the consecration and
endures as long as the Eucharistic species subsist. Christ is present whole and
entire in each of the species and whole and entire in each of their parts, in
such a way that the breaking of the bread does not divide Christ (Cf. Council
of Trent: DS 1641).
To deepen and
explain
(CCC 2691)
The church, the house of God, is the proper place for the liturgical prayer of
the parish community. It is also the privileged place for adoration of the real
presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. The choice of a favorable place is
not a matter of indifference for true prayer. - For personal prayer, this can
be a "prayer corner" with the Sacred Scriptures and icons, in order
to be there, in secret, before our Father (Cf. Mt 6:6). In a Christian family,
this kind of little oratory fosters prayer in common. - In regions where
monasteries exist, the vocation of these communities is to further the
participation of the faithful in the Liturgy of the Hours and to provide
necessary solitude for more intense personal prayer (Cf. PC 7). - Pilgrimages
evoke our earthly journey toward heaven and are traditionally very special
occasions for renewal in prayer. For pilgrims seeking living water, shrines are
special places for living the forms of Christian prayer "in Church."
(CCC 2628) Adoration is the first
attitude of man acknowledging that he is a creature before his Creator. It
exalts the greatness of the Lord who made us (Cf. Ps 95:1-6) and the almighty
power of the Savior who sets us free from evil. Adoration is homage of the
spirit to the "King of Glory" (Ps 24, 9-10) respectful silence in the
presence of the "ever greater" God (Cf. St. Augustine, En. in Ps. 62, 16: PL 36, 757-758).
Adoration of the thrice-holy and sovereign God of love blends with humility and
gives assurance to our supplications.
On
reflection
(CCC 2096)
Adoration is the first act of the virtue of religion. To adore God is to
acknowledge him as God, as the Creator and Savior, the Lord and Master of
everything that exists, as infinite and merciful Love. "You shall worship
the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve," says Jesus, citing Deuteronomy (Lk 4:8; Cf. Deut 6:13).
(CCC 2097) To adore God is to acknowledge, in respect and absolute submission,
the "nothingness of the creature" who would not exist but for God. To
adore God is to praise and exalt him and to humble oneself, as Mary did in the
Magnificat, confessing with gratitude that he has done great things and holy is
his name (cf. Lk 1:46-49). The worship of the one God sets man free from
turning in on himself, from the slavery of sin and the idolatry of the
world.
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