'Our One Great Act of Fidelity' by Ronald Rolheiser

Because I have a weakness for Catholic literature (though I'm Anglican), I reserved Ronald Rolheiser's book Our One Great Act of Fidelity to review.  Curiosity about the Catholic position on transubstantiation was my main objective.  He covers that.  For him/them it's about a physical presence, something that humans tend to need, and that makes sense to me, even though I've never been aligned with a church which literally believes in this.  I will say, though, that our church is very sensitive in how the elements are prepared and handled.  Never in a trivial manner and never thrown away after blessed.  There is something Holy about it.

And honestly, to read the Scriptures you can go either way---either the elements do change into Christ's blood and flesh, or they don't.  A laboratory can't prove it, but lots of aspects of God's presence can't be proven.  Can't prove the Holy Spirit lives in my soul either.

I decided after reading the book that whether a person believes in Christ's literal blood and flesh being present in Holy Communion is a personal position.  If the act of receiving the Eucharist is more dear for that belief, then absolutely believe.

Rolheiser's book is a gentle writing about the Lord's Table.  The importance of a regular partaking, the forgiveness and the strength it gives us to bear/live another day.  

(i received this book free to review from blogging for books)

Note:  I have to add a funny bit.  My husband saw me reading this the other night, and asked me about it.  I told him it was Roman Catholic.  He paused, took a breath and said he strictly forbid me becoming a Catholic.  Made me laugh.  Said I had no intention of doing that, not being partial to the Pope, etc., and told him I was completely satisfied where I am as an Anglican.  Still, cracked me up.  I actually think he was serious.