Part VI - The Sacrament of the Altar | Southern California Catechism

IN THE PLAIN FORM IN WHICH THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY
SHALL TEACH IT TO HIS HOUSEHOLD

What is the Sacrament of the Altar?
Answer: Instituted by Christ Himself, it is the true
body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, under the
bread and wine, given to us Christians to eat and to
drink.
Where is this written?
Answer: The holy evangelists Matthew, Mark, and
Luke, and also St. Paul, write thus: “Our Lord
Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took
bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it, and
gave it to the disciples and said, ‘Take, eat;
this is My body which is given for you. Do this in
remembrance of Me.’ In the same way also He
took the cup, after supper, and when He had given
thanks He gave it to them, saying,
‘Drink of it, all of you. This cup is the new
covenant in My blood, which is poured out for many for
the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you
drink it, in remembrance of
Me.’”
What is the benefit of such eating and drinking?
Answer: We are told in the words “for
you” and “for the forgiveness of
sin.” By these words the forgiveness of sins,
life, and salvation are given to us in the sacrament,
for where there is forgiveness of sins, there are also
life and salvation.
How can bodily eating and drinking produce such
great effects?
Answer: The eating and drinking do not in themselves
produce them, but the words “for you”
and “for the forgiveness of sins.”
These words, when accompanied by the bodily eating and
drinking, are the chief thing in the sacrament, and he
who believes these words has what they say and
declare: the forgiveness of sins.
Who, then, receives this sacrament worthily?
Answer: Fasting and bodily preparation are a good
external discipline, but he is truly worthy and well
prepared who believes these words: “for
you” and “for the forgiveness of
sins.” On the other hand, he who does not
believe these words, or doubts them, is unworthy and
unprepared, for the words “for you”
require truly believing hearts.

Jesus Christ, Our Blessed Savior

Jesus Christ (1.29 KB .mid audio)

Jesus Christ, our blessed Savior,
Turned away God's wrath forever;
By His bitter grief and woe
He saved us from the evil foe.
As His pledge of love undying,
He, this precious food supplying,
Gives His body with the bread
And with the wine the blood He shed
Jesus here Himself is sharing;
Heed then how you are preparing,
For if you do not believe,
His judgment then you shall receive.
Praise the Father, Who from heaven
To His own this food has given,
Who, to mend what we have done,
Gave into death His only Son
Firmly hold with faith unshaken
That this food is to be taken
By the sick who are distressed,
By hearts that long for peace and rest.
Agony and bitter labor
Were the cost of God's high favor;
Do not come if you suppose
You need not Him Who died and rose.
Christ says: "Come, all you that labor,
And receive My grace and favor:
Those who feel no pain or ill
Need no physician's help or skill.
"For what purpose was My dying
If not for your justifying?
And what use this precious food
If you yourself were pure and good?"
If your heart this truth professes
And your mouth your sin confesses,
You will be Savior's guest,
Be at His banquet truly blest.
Let this food your faith so nourish
That its fruit of love may flourish
And your neighbor learn from you
How much God's wondrous love can do.

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