Just believe

There is a considerable temptation on the part of some devout souls to agonise over aspects of the mystery of the Divine Eucharist and the manner of Christ’s presence in the same.

I suspect that devout souls in England were perplexed by some of the controversies swirling around the realm at the time of the Reformation and subsequent political and theological battles that ensued.  In a widely used poem whose source is disputed but often attributed to John Donne (1573-1631) and which has alsobeen attributed to Queen Elizabeth I (of mixed memories in Ireland, let it be said) there is a flavour of this in the lovely quaint English:

He was the Word that spake it;
He took the bread and brake it;
And what that Word did make it,
I do believe and take it.

There is much wisdom in the poetic verses aside from its disputed origin or uses in latter-day controversies. Writing in the 15^th Century, Thomas à Kempis, the humble monastic author of ‘In the Imitation of Christ’ had profound insights on how we might approach the Holy Sacrament and, in particular, how to deal with questions that might disturb the tranquillity of our souls. It was written for monks and lay people alike.  Kempis’ work was a staple part of the spiritual diet of many Christians up to the last century. In my opinion, it deserves to be rediscovered and read again in our times.

In the closing part of his book (chapter XVIII), he wrote*:

Do not investigate the Sacrament to satisfy your curiosity, but follow Christ humbly, subordinating to holy faith.

He goes on to say:

You must submit to God, and subordinate understanding to faith – then you will be given the light of knowledge in so far as you need it and it is good for you.

….

Do not argue in your own mind, or try to answer the doubts the Devil hurls against you. Trust the word of God, believe his saints and prophets, and you will put your wicked enemy to flight.

He concludes the chapter and the entire book with this advice:

Understanding and inquiry should follow faith, not precede and weaken it. In this holy and most excellent Sacrament, it is faith and love that are all-important, and they work in secret ways. God who is eternal, infinite, supremely mighty, does great and unfathomable things in heaven and in earth, and there is no understanding his wonderful works. If the works of God could easily be grasped by human understanding, they could not be called wonderful or too great for words.

Words to help understand the mystery may indeed be very helpful but the mysteries that are the work of God are too great for our words.

Just believe!

 

* All quotations from Thomas à Kempis The Imitation of Christ published by Collins Books and translated by Betty L. Knox.