Let me explain.
Catholics believe that when we take Holy Communion it is actually the body and blood of Jesus that we take. It is the real presence of Christ in the Communion that we take. Some Catholics have difficulty in believing this; but let us park this aside for a while.
Catholics take their teaching from the Gospel of John Chapter 6 where Jesus says that unless we eat His flesh and drink His blood we will not have eternal life. (John 6:51-58).
Jesus says this several times, so much so that some of His listeners decided not to follow Him any more and they left. Jesus did not stop them. He did not call them back and tried to explain saying it was all a figure of speech or symbolism. In fact, He also asked the twelve Disciples, "And you - would you also like to leave?"
Also, at the Last Supper, Jesus repeats His claim that Communion is His body and blood.
So, was the priest wrong to ask non-Catholics not to take Communion?
As already mentioned, Catholics believe that the total substance of bread and wine are changed into the substance of the body and blood of Christ at the moment of Consecration during Mass. That is to say, the bread and wine taken at Communion are no longer such but they are the body and blood of Christ.
Before giving Communion the priest says "The Body of Christ ... The Blood of Christ"; and the individual responds "Amen" - meaning I agree.
It would be wrong, therefore, for a non-Catholic to say "Amen" when in their heart they do not agree and believe it is all symbolism. How would God view that individual? In a way, the priest is "protecting" that individual from being un-truthful to the Lord. By denying Communion the Catholic Church is not excluding an individual for not being Catholic, but it is aiming to re-affirm their true belief in the eyes of God.
What about me? What do I believe?
Here's what I think.
That event was important enough for John to record it in details. He underlines the fact that Jesus repeated His claim more than once; and John also points out that some people could not accept what Jesus said and left.
Had I been there that day, would I too have left or would I have accepted Christ's Word for what it is? I honestly do not know what I would have done.
But what about today; so many years later? I honestly accept what Jesus said for what it is. I do not understand it but I believe it because it is recorded that He said it. Call me a coward if you wish. Believing just as an insurance policy. I guess when I meet Jesus one day I'll say, "I tried to believe as best as I could within the limitations of my intellect".
THE CHRISTIAN LOUNGE LINK
Thanks so much for this explanation, Victor. I really never understood the premise until you gave it a background history here. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteMany thanx Martha. The way I see it; this is a Catholic belief based on John 6. Obviously, no one can tell us what Jesus really meant by this. One day, when we meet Him we will understand. In the meantime, we have the option to believe or not.
DeleteAs for Catholic priests denying non-Catholics Communion; it is very much for their protection in order not to say "Amen" and not meant it.
God bless you my friend.
Ahhh my friend when you wrote: "I tried to believe as best as I could within the limitations of my intellect". I put on my thinking cap. In many ways and times this is my thoughts. 'maybe I want to say 'Help thou mine unbelief!!" I do not know. I am amazed so many times when I hear, "It says this", but what it really means is THIS!
ReplyDeleteI think of God the Father. I read, 'He is the BEST FATHER'. I have tried to be a good father here on earth, but I have failed too many times. BUT when my sons make an honest mistake, even one that seems too far out, I still love them and would not 'kick them out of my house and life.' So I try my best and trust those words, and HIS understanding. In that vein, I had a VERY GOOD FRIEND who was Catholic. He was such a dedicated person that the Priest chose him to go to the home bound and the bed fast to serve communion. He pointed out that the unserved wine (HIS BLOOD) could not be poured out nor wasted.
So I personally believe that the wine and bread are symbolic, but I will NOT say YOU ARE WRONG, Who am I to judge?
I just want to live the best I can and look forward to His Love for eternity. THANKS for your openness Love from the next shoreline over...
Thank you so much for this wonderful comment, Jack.
DeleteYes, I often pray "I believe, help my unbelief" - Mark 9:24.
God, as our loving Father, will always forgive our mistakes and continue to love us.
Who knows who is right or wrong in this. It is something that Jesus is supposed to have said and John recorded fully.
Can I choose not to believe it? And not believe His walking on water? And changing water to wine? And all the other things recorded about Him like His death and Resurrection?
I try to believe as best I can even though I do not understand. Better brains than mine are still arguing about this and so many other theological questions.
God bless, my friend.
PS WOW, looking at that comment, I didn't mean to write that much... Sorry
ReplyDeleteYou are always welcome to write as much as you wish on this Blog, Jack. Thank you for your visits.
DeleteGod bless you and yours.
Thank you for this explanation, Victor. Although he/we weren't Roman Catholic, I'll never forget when my (Lutheran) uncle denied holy communion to my son's father: Palm Sunday at my baby's baptism -- in front of family and congregation. (Granted, my 'ex' wasn't a very nice person, but I probably held a grudge against Uncle Lu the rest of his days.)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mevely. Of course, I do not know the reason why your uncle denied Communion.
DeleteLooking at this from a Catholic perspective; many Catholics do not believe this is the body and blood of Christ; despite their Church teaching. They believe it is symbolism. When the priest says "The Body of Christ" and the individual says "Amen" (I agree), only God knows whether he is honest or not. He may have fooled the priest but not God. The same applies if he does not say "Amen" and just takes Communion. The individual has put himself forward to partake in what Catholics believe is the Body of Christ; so in that respect he is deemed to have acted against his personal belief, as if he had said, "Amen" and not meant it.
God bless you.
As you stated, this is a very difficult concept to grasp.
ReplyDeleteAmen Kathy. God bless.
DeleteThank you for this explanation, Victor. I understand it is your belief and I respect it. I have not been taught that. I believe it is symbolic, but then again - I am not sure it really matters.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sandie. The aim of this post is to explain why in some instances priests refuse to give Communion to non-Catholics. I appreciate that different denominations have different beliefs; and that Paradise is open to everyone who loves God - not just Catholics!
DeleteGod bless you.
thecontemplativecat here. I appreciated the explanation. We visited St. Alban's cathedral while we stay in Wheathamstead,. We went for a service in which communion was served. A protestant church now, the priest admonished the congregation as well. We knelt at the altar with our 4 year old, and she was passed over, the cup skipped her. She whined in a four yr. old, "I didn't get any." We tried explaining it to her when we left the cathedral, but she wasn't convinced. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteThank you Susan for relating your experience. Believe me, God loves your daughter all the same.
DeleteGod bless always.
Thank you Victor for the explanation of communion for the Catholic faith. My church affiliation is with the Assemblies of God. Our views of Communion are as a symbolic act to remember Jesus' sacrifice and His promised return. Bread and the fruit of the vine represents His body and blood.. this is a sacred time of reflection and spiritual renewal. Our communion is open to all believers in Christ. Interesting to learn the beliefs of communion for others. thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you Shug; indeed there are many Catholics who also believe Communion is a symbolic act, despite the Church's teaching.
DeleteGod bless you.
The priest is right, based on Catholic teaching, and it's not meant to offend anyone.
ReplyDeleteOf some things, I simply have to say, "Father, I believe You. I don't understand, but I take You at Your word and believe it, and the understanding will come in Your good time."
You are right, Mimi; the priest does not mean to offend anyone by refusing Communion. He is safeguarding the individual when he says "Amen" and not mean it.
DeleteYour attitude to prayer is admirable. God bless you.
I 'm not sure I would or would not have left. I accept Jesus' words as fact and true. Good post.
ReplyDeleteBlessings
Many thanx Irish Cherokee. It's a good examination of conscience to ask oneself whether you would have left Jesus or not.
DeleteGod bless you always.
Thanks for explaining it in simpler words, Victor.
ReplyDeleteThank you and God bless you, Bill.
DeleteVictor, here in Saskatchewan, Canada we have signed a covenant with the Ukrainian Catholic Church, the Anglican Church of Canada, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church that enables those faiths to receive the Eucharist in our churches, and for us to be able to receive the Eucharist in their church.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Thank you Jackie. I did not know churches could to this.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you.
Thank you for explaining this so clearly, Victor!
ReplyDeleteThanx Linda. God bless.
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