Another Communion Question

[lorenzo_help]

So, at a different weekday Mass (see previous post) I was late and since the weekday Masses at my churh go quickly, I had just missed the Gospel. Now, I was taught by my mother than in order to fulfill your Sunday obligation, one must at least hear the Gospel (this might be in the CCC, but I have not read it). As this day, however, was not a holy day of oblgation (just a regular Wednesday), should I have refrained from receiving Communion? I did, in the event, receive Communion. So, my question is 1) is it true that if one does not hear the Gospel, one’s obligation to attend Mass has not been fulfilled, and 2) if that is so, should one refrain from taking Communion at that Mass or at any Mass for which you missed the reading of the Gospel?

 

[Timothysis]

The Church does not specify how much is “enough.” If it wasn’t intentional, then there is no problem.

At my church there is a guy who always arrives during the homily. Once can be forgiven but he does it every week. I, personally, think that he shouldn’t receive until he does better. In your case, I see no foul. Just my opinion…

 

[puzzleannie]

if it was a weekday Mass and not a holy day, yes you can receive communion, (if you are in the state of grace) even if, like many people on their way to or from work, are only able to come in time for communion and don’t hear the entire Mass. On Sundays or Holy Days, yes you need to be there for the whole Mass to meet your obligation, but if you are late thru no deliberate fault of your own, you can still receive and try to make another Mass later in the day.

 

[Timothysis]

On Sundays or Holy Days, yes you need to be there for the whole Mass to meet your obligation, but if you are late thru no deliberate fault of your own, you can still receive and try to make another Mass later in the day.

I’ve never known that it was reasoned out so precisely. You wouldn’t happen to have a source, would you???

 

[muffinmojo]

Just to clarify- going to Mass doesn’t = receiving Communion. You can go to Mass and fulfill your obligation and be part of the community and worship God and participate in the sacrifice and yet not receive. Especially if you think you may be in mortal sin, or do it improperly, or you just feel like you would not be receiving it with proper reverence that day. It still counts without recieving = ) Somtimes it’s good to take a break from a Sacrament for a week, so you can appreciate it al lthe more next week.

 

[Phemie]

Just to clarify- going to Mass doesn’t = receiving Communion. You can go to Mass and fulfill your obligation and be part of the community and worship God and participate in the sacrifice and yet not receive. Especially if you think you may be in mortal sin, or do it improperly, or you just feel like you would not be receiving it with proper reverence that day. It still counts without recieving = ) Somtimes it’s good to take a break from a Sacrament for a week, so you can appreciate it al lthe more next week.

Conversely, you can arrive at the end of Mass and go receive Communion as long as you haven’t already received Communion that day. That’s because, as long as you’re in a state of grace, you can receive once under any circumstances but receiving a second time in one day may only be done when you’re attending Mass.

 

[LilyM]

The Church does not specify how much is “enough.” If it wasn’t intentional, then there is no problem.

At my church there is a guy who always arrives during the homily. Once can be forgiven but he does it every week. I, personally, think that he shouldn’t receive until he does better. In your case, I see no foul. Just my opinion…

Let’s put a charitable interpretation on things. It’s more than possible that he has to work on Sundays and that is the only Mass he can attend even part of. Better part than none in such a case.

 

[dconklin]

For many of us, the difference between Mom and the CCC is a very thin line.

I visited a church in AZ that shut the doors from the narthex just before the Gospel began. It seems like it was an automated event. The doors were big and made a very impressive sound as they closed. No way I was ever going to be late at that church. Forget about going on a potty break during the homily.

 

[Newbie2]

For many of us, the difference between Mom and the CCC is a very thin line.

I visited a church in AZ that shut the doors from the narthex just before the Gospel began. It seems like it was an automated event. The doors were big and made a very impressive sound as they closed. No way I was ever going to be late at that church. Forget about going on a potty break during the homily.

This discussion seems a bit legalistic to me. Go early to mass if you are able, stay until it’s really over. Ta da.