Adult Bible Study: Presence: The Mystery of the Eucharist

Event Type:
Faith Formation

Contact for more information:
Cynthia DeStefano-Garrison
919-360-1039
919-360-1039

What:  program on the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist from The Augustine Institute

When: Mondays @ 1pm

About Presence: What is it that is so special about the Eucharist? Although the Eucharist appears to be simple bread and wine, it is actually the “source and summit” of the Christian life. Presence: The Mystery of the Eucharist explores the truth and beauty of Christ’s real presence in the Eucharist, from its origins in Sacred Scripture, to its profound role in the life of the Church and her members. It is the crescendo of the entire story of salvation. This video series is presented by The Augustine Institute, and includes guided group discussion and prayer.

Preview the program's trailer at https://www.augustineinstitute.org/presence/.

Questions?

Contact Cynthia Garrison with questions or for additional information. Pre-registration is not necessary. All program materials will be provided.
 

Weekly Session Details...

Session 1: God is With Us - April 29th
When is the last time you sat down to enjoy a meal with your family or close friends—not just to eat food in close proximity to each other, but to bask in each other’s presence and grow in love for one another? For most of us, this doesn’t happen at a typical meal. But this is the kind of meal God wants to share with us. This is the kind of meal he has prepared for us and invited us to participate in through the Sacrament of the Eucharist.

Session 2: The Story of the Eucharist - May 6th
God is the Master Storyteller. He authors His great love story not only with words, but with deeds. All of God’s mighty deeds throughout history make up one beautiful narrative of salvation, which culminates in the Paschal Mystery. Jesus’s teachings and actions throughout his ministry prepare for the moment he offers himself for, and to, each of us, fullling his promise that “My flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed” (John 6:55).

Session 3: Bread for the Journey - May 13th
Food is one of our most basic needs. We can’t live for long without it, and when we are in need of it, our bodies let us know with a hunger that can be nearly impossible to ignore. As indispensable as material food is to our physical life, the Eucharist is even more vital to our spiritual life. God saved the Israelites from starvation in the wilderness by providing manna for them. We need the Eucharist even more than the Israelites needed the manna. It sustains and strengthens us for our life’s journey. It is, as Monsignor Ronald Knox once said, “the day’s food for the day’s march.”

Bonus Session: Biblical Foundations - May 20th
“How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” These words uttered 2,000 years ago are echoed today. The doctrine of the Real Presence presents a difficulty for many people. When we take the time to understand the difficutlies, we become better equipped to help address them. This can be done especially by showing how the Scriptures really do mean what the Church says they do. This session examines objections to the Church’s Eucharistic teaching and provides scriptural answers for them. This apologetic helps us to give a reason for our faith and to gain a deeper insight into our faith.