medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Marjorie Greene wrote:
> medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
>
> Since the Eucharist is commonly called "Bread of Angels," one may assume
> that it is theirs to take. I find this discussion interesting but
> somehow it puts me in mind of the question concerning how many angels
> can dance on the head of a pin. If this is a serious query, one may
> assume that anyone may take/steal a consecrated host for a good cause.
Indeed, I have to wonder whether property rights apply -- or rather,
within what frame of reference they apply. Is not ownership a human
construct? Not that it's not important; but in the end everything is at
God's disposition, so if any being (angels being, per se, perfectly in
tune with God whereas humans are not) acts to perform God's will,
explicit or implied, I doubt that property is more than a superficial
consideration.
> And one may assume angels have/had good reasons for doing so. Perhaps
> I'm wrongheaded but I'd take/steal a host (Viaticum) for a dying person
> if no one more appropriate were available in a New York second. If this
> is a tongue-in-cheek example of quippery, forgive my denseness.
By analogy one may think of the moral doctrine that, if without
resources, one may take necessities, typically food, for oneself and for
dependants who have no other recourse, without its being considered
stealing -- morally speaking; legally may be quite another thing.
Hal Cain
Joint Theological Library
Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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