Being Prepared & Keeping It Simple

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My wife (not a Catholic) attends Mass with me quite regularly during the last 3 months. I hear mumblings of “ritual, ritual, ritual”

Questions are being asked in a less hositle manner lately so I need to keep it as simple as possible.

Question 1 - I can’t believe that non Catholics can’t take Communion; would Jesus turn anyone away?

I am suprised question of the sacrifice of the Mass being in apparant conflict with Jesus died once and his Sacrifice is complete hasn’t surfaced.

My answers need to be simple concise and make it to the point in a non contraversal manner with a Fundamentalist/former Baptist

Any suggestions would be most helpful and appreciated

Ron
 
While not an answer to your direct questions, I so wish I had read some things before I converted - it would have speeded up the process!

This is were she can see the Mass is full of Scripture (we Evangelicals love love love Scripture…)

catecheticsonline.com/apologetics_mass.php

Two books I would HIGHLY suggest -

Scott Hahn “The Lamb’s Supper”

Mike Aqualina “The Mass of the Early Christians”

As far as your questions, here is the way I explain to my Evangelical mom why I cannot receive in her congregation since I am now Catholic. “To receive communion is to stand before this body of believers and affirm that I believe what you believe. While we believe many of the same things, when it comes to communion we do not believe the same thing.” Even moreso in a Catholic Church, when one approaches in the line to receive and the Priest holds the Eucharist and says “Body of Christ”, we are required to affirm aloud that we agree this IS the body of Christ. Could she stand there and say that she believes this IS the body of Christ? If she does believe that, then, she would be Catholic - right?
 
Here’s an answer I gave to a methodist friend who asked the same thing about communion: We believe as catholics that the bread becomes the Body of Christ, to receive communion and not believe totally that Christ is present, we believe that we would be leading that person into grave sin. He accepted that answer.

For the second one, this might help you find a simple answer
catholic-convert.com/Portals/0/Documents/MassReCrucify.doc
 
My answers need to be simple concise and make it to the point in a non contraversal manner with a Fundamentalist/former Baptist
Ron…going to be controversial, even if you decide to say nothing at all. Accept that from the onset, and then you can move forward realistically. Speaking from the perspective of also having Fundamentalist/Baptists in his family, I can tell you that they come to the table with soooo many preconceived notions and biases, that it really isn’t a fair ordeal for you.

And, for better or for worse, each person’s struggle with this is unique. Some are successful with saying nothing, others with full blown doctrinal and historical debates. Most of us fall somewhere in the middle. My suggestion: don’t debate the surface stuff. For example, I would doubt that your wife would come to terms with the actual answer to the question of non-Catholics not allowed to partake in the Eucharist (which obviously has to do with the importance of discerning the true presence of Christ - and it is actually for their own protection that they do not participate). I would wager your wife wouldn’t see this response as credible, because the next thing would be “what TRUE presence???” And on and on it will go.

Rather, for me, I like to determine what the real controversy is. Usually it’s not this doctrine or that doctrine. It usually is an argument over “authority”, and how non-Catholics simply have a hard time coming to terms with any authority this side of heaven. I have found that if you begin to tackle this problem, all the other “surface” issues begin to become easier to defend. Of course, the “authority” debate is no easy matter in itself. So what’s my advice? Well, you could try opening the door to the “authority” argument, by simply replying to each question with a response like “well, dear…this is what The Catholic Church teaches, and Her authority to teach this is given to Her by Christ Himself”. Then do your homework regarding the apologetics of Peter/One Church/authority, and then this becomes the central issue, and I think if you can focus on one KEY issue with her, as opposed to countless “surface” issues (like Mary, rosaries, communion of saints, true presence, confession, etc), you will ultimately find more success.

Just my opinion. God Bless.
 
My wife (not a Catholic) attends Mass with me quite regularly during the last 3 months. I hear mumblings of “ritual, ritual, ritual”

Questions are being asked in a less hositle manner lately so I need to keep it as simple as possible.

Question 1 - I can’t believe that non Catholics can’t take Communion; would Jesus turn anyone away?

I am suprised question of the sacrifice of the Mass being in apparant conflict with Jesus died once and his Sacrifice is complete hasn’t surfaced.

My answers need to be simple concise and make it to the point in a non contraversal manner with a Fundamentalist/former Baptist

Any suggestions would be most helpful and appreciated

Ron
When Jesus said, “Take this and eat of it, this is my body…do this in memory of me…”

If someone at that table had said, “Um, Jesus, I know you mean well, but the wording of that is a little unsetteling, could this maybe be more of a symbolic gesture?”

OK, how does she suppose Jesus might respond?
We do as he asks, because he asked it.

We turn NO one away, but we ask that they do as Jesus asked, because he asked it.

If they can do that. If they can say, “Yes, Jesus is in the house!” Then they are welcome to recieve.

If they can respond, “Amen,” to “The Body of Christ” then they are welcome to it.

Of course RCIA and formalities not withstanding, who would turn away anyone who believed?
 
My wife (not a Catholic) attends Mass with me quite regularly during the last 3 months. I hear mumblings of “ritual, ritual, ritual”.
That’s what a lot of Catholics think too. Yes, it’s a ritual, but there’s no reason to mumble about it. (See my blog, Critical Mass, for some easy reading about perspectives that help us look at the Mass with fresh eyes and appreciate it more.)
Question 1 - I can’t believe that non Catholics can’t take Communion; would Jesus turn anyone away?
Paul, in 1 Cor 10-11, writes about the proper way of partaking in the Lord’s Supper (i.e. Eucharist, Holy Communion). Jesus isn’t the one turning people away; the people themselves who do not belong to the Church should know not to partake of the sacrament!

But to get at the core of the matter, Holy Communion is about being in communion with Christ and his Church.
 
One more thing, the “ritual, ritual, ritual”…

A dear friend of mine had the same feeling about the Mass before her conversion. One day, she watched a documentary about the Tomb of the Unknowns in Washington, DC and the Sentinels who walk there. She said it hit her like a brick wall, the meaning of these rituals is so profound, what more should we give to God?

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomb_of_the_Unknowns#The_Tomb_Guards
 
Question 1 - I can’t believe that non Catholics can’t take Communion; would Jesus turn anyone away?
In a word, yes.

He tells us of the wise and foolish virgins-- the ones with no oil in their lamps are shut OUT of the wedding feast.

He tells us of the parables of talents where the one who buried his is sent away.

We are told of the wedding feast where the people did not come properly disposed-- he sent them away and gathered people off the street.

He drove the money changers from the Temple.

And many other examples…

The warm, fuzzy Jesus is a myth.
 
I can’t believe that non Catholics can’t take Communion; would Jesus turn anyone away?

I am suprised question of the sacrifice of the Mass being in apparant conflict with Jesus died once and his Sacrifice is complete hasn’t surfaced.

Ron
Hello, Ron. Let’s tackle the first question. Baptists, at least the ones that I know, read their Bibles. When your wife bemoans “rituals”, you might want to pull out our Bible and show her just how Ancient Israel worshipped. God did not spend significant amounts of text in Exodus, Deuteronomy and Leviticus, dictating to Moses just how, when, and where He was to be worshipped and what He wanted used for the sacrifice. All of this, including the Ark, foreshadow Jesus. If someone from Ancient Israel were to be transported to our time and wind up at St. Peter’s at the Vatican (ideal liturgy), he would completely understand what was happen. God was very meticulous about cultic worship. Jesus gave new form and fulfillment to this worship when he instituted the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper.

He did not abrogate the format of the sacrificial worship of Ancient Israel. Jesus perfected it.

Furthermore, the Church is the New Israel. At the Council of Yamnia in 95, Israel broke into two: those who followed the Pharisees and the Rabbis (since there was no more Temple) and those who followed Jesus and became the New Israel, the Church. Oddly enough, Protestants follow the synagogue version of worship (word and music) of the post-Temple Israel, while the Church follows the sacrificial pattern of Ancient Israel.

Regarding your second question, I would refer you once more to our Bible, specifically the First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians:
23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread. 24 And giving thanks, broke, and said: Take ye, and eat: this is my body, which shall be delivered for you: this do for the commemoration of me. 25 In like manner also the chalice, after he had supped, saying: This chalice is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as often as you shall drink, for the commemoration of me.
26 For as often as you shall eat this bread, and drink the chalice, you shall show the death of the Lord, until he come. 27 Therefore whosoever shall eat this bread, or drink the chalice of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and of the blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man prove himself: and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of the chalice. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh judgment to himself, not discerning the body of the Lord.
Jesus, Himself, notes in the parable that while many are called, few are chosen. That is why, as both St. Paul and Jesus attest, one must be worthy to approach the altar to receive the Sacred Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, lest he risks profaning the Sacred Species by unworthily partaking of this Heavenly Food and Drink.

Incidentally, St. Paul also makes my point about “rituals”. For, there had to have been a “ritual”, so to speak, because this was handing down to St. Paul, and he, in turn, is handing it down to the Church in Corinth and to us.
 
My wife (not a Catholic) attends Mass with me quite regularly during the last 3 months. I hear mumblings of "ritual, ritual, ritual"

**All Churches, even pop-evangelicals and fundamentalists have rituals. The question is rather, “What kind of rituals are we going to have? Catholic rituals are Holy Spirit led.” Try saying that if the opportunity comes.

Ask her if she truly believes that the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ are received in the Holy Eucharist. If she does, then why does she not become Catholic? If she doesn’t, why does she want to particiapte in what the dismisses as “ritual” and possibly idolatry?

In the Eucharistic Sacrifice, under veils of bread and wine we participate and make present on earth in time the One Sacrifice eternally pleaded before the Father in Heaven, totally unveiled and outside of time. Try saying that.**
 
Receiving Communion . . .

If she does not believe what the Church teaches, why would she go up and say “Amen” to something she thinks is false? I don’t think folks realize that receiving when they don’t believe is lying with their actions. (they just want to go do what everyone else is doing w/o thinking about it)
 
This might be somewhat off topic, but I know that some Baptist/Evangelicals who see the Eucharist as a symbol only, due to the fact that Jesus also called himself the light of the world, and the door (and quite a few other simililies… and since I’ve had only 4 hours of sleep I can’t really remember anything else at this time)… BUT, I don’t remember ever reading that when he called himself the light of the world and a door did he ever place his hands on a lamp or a door. Also, he said “I am…” when refering to himself metaphorically (if I remember correctly). But, during the Last Supper, when he instituted this sacrament, he held the bread in his hands, held it up and said “This is my body.” I’m not as learned as many people, but this has a great significance to me. Almost as if he was pointing to the Real Presence itself…

I will be praying for you. I know how difficult this must be, but I am happy that you are wanting to learn more before you defend the faith. I know it my own situation, it was a couple of well informed Catholics that even if they couldn’t answer my questions at that time, they took the time to find out and let me know. I crossed the Tiber (almost) last year.

God Bless!
Ericka
 
Hey Ron,
Below is something that I write for my KC council newsletter, this one is on the Eucharist. The ideas have been HEAVILY stolen from other posters here and apologists like John Martignoni (I readily admit to plagiarism:D )
It may help her understand a bit more. You never know which switch is going to make that light bulb come on, but maybe tell her about the I Corinthians 11:27 below. After you have discussed that, maybe ask her what they do with the left over “wafers” in her church when they have the Lord’s Supper. Baptist churches I’ve seen throw them away.

**Apologetics Corner
The Real Presence in the Eucharist

“Catholics believe that at the Lord’s Supper they are actually eating Jesus. They must be cannibals! They can’t seem to understand that Jesus was speaking symbolically when he said ‘This is my body’. Jesus just meant that this symbolizes His body.”

Well, that’s what they say. I’m sorry to say that it seems even some Catholics have lost the sense of the Real Presence. So, where do we ground our belief that Jesus is actually present in the Eucharist?

We get a hint of this in Malachi chapter 1. The author is speaking of abuses and religious indifference in the Jewish community. He talks first about “…offering polluted food on my altar!” (Malachi 1:7). The passage later in verse 11 talks about “…a pure offering”. In the footnotes to the New American Bible, it says “In his first chapter, the writer foresees the time when all nations will offer a pure oblation –a prophecy whose fulfillment the church sees in the Sacrifice of the Mass.” So, it talks about polluted food offerings and a “pure offering” to come.

-Psalms 110:4: “The Lord has sworn and will not waver: “Like Melchizedek you are a priest forever”. By definition a priest offers a sacrifice. What sacrifice did Melchizedek offer? Bread and Wine! (Gen. 14:18) So, when did Jesus offer bread and wine as a sacrifice? The only time was at the Last Supper.

-Matthew 26:26-28 “….this is my body……this is my blood”. It doesn’t say this “symbolizes”, or this “represents” my body. It says this IS my body.

-I Corinthians 11:27: “Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to answer for the body and blood of the Lord.” Why would someone who eats or drinks unworthily have to answer if this service is only a ‘memorial’?

-“Eat my flesh” or variations of it are repeated by Jesus six times. Four of the times, the Greek word used actually means “to chew”.

-“Do this in remembrance of me”. We’re all familiar with that one. According to scholars, the word “remembrance” in the Greek is technical and rare. The only other time it is used in the New Testament is Hebrews 10:3 where the “remembrance” is the act of carrying out a sacrifice.

Let’s keep going with John 6. In verse 41 Jesus says that He is the bread that came down from Heaven. The Jews start murmuring. (Trust me, they are about to murmur a lot more). Then Jesus says in verse 51 “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever….” At that point, Scripture tells us that the Jews went from murmuring to downright quarreling. They said “How can this man give us [His] flesh to eat?” Jesus said to them “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life in you.” What a strange thing for Jesus to say. Why didn’t he just tell them “I mean that in a symbolic way.”?
He didn’t say that because that’s not what He meant!

John 6:55 “For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.” That’s pretty vague. I wonder what Jesus could possibly have meant by that?

Then we read that “many of his disciples who were listening said, “This saying (teaching) is hard: who can accept it?” Jesus said “Does this shock you?” By the way, why would the disciples say that this was a hard teaching if they understood he was speaking symbolically? If Jesus was just telling them to get together once in a while and have some bread and wine to remember him by, would that be a “hard teaching”? Jesus said a bit more, but then comes verse 66: “As a result of this, many [of] his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him.”

That’s one of the most telling passages about the Real Presence. In many other instances in Scripture, when the disciples did not understand something, Jesus would explain. Note that in this instance, Jesus didn’t run after them saying: “Wait, wait, you misunderstood. I meant that symbolically, not literally.” He simply let them go. This is the only place in the Gospel where disciples left Him over a doctrinal issue.

The Early Church

-All early Church authors who wrote about the Eucharist believed in the Real Presence.
-Ignatius (who died about the same time as the Apostle John died) wrote “They confess not the Eucharist to be the flesh of our Savior Jesus Christ, which suffered for our sins and which the Father, of his goodness, raised up again.”
-No writers in the 1st 300 years wrote anything remotely related to other notions concerning the Lord’s Supper.
-For the first thousand years of Christianity there were no exceptions to this belief of the early Church in the Real Presence. This was the universal teaching of the entire Church.
-With the emergence of Rationalism and its attack on this doctrine, the Church convened a council (the Second Lateran Council-1215) that defined what early Christians already believed. No one had ever challenged this doctrine, so it was never a matter of debate.**
 
oops, ran out of space. Here’s the rest of it:

And from the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

1336 The first announcement of the Eucharist divided the disciples, just as the announcement of the Passion scandalized them: “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” (John 6:60) The Eucharist and the Cross are stumbling blocks. It is the same mystery and it never ceases to be an occasion of division. “Will you also go away?” (John 6:67): the Lord’s question echoes through the ages, as a loving invitation to discover that only he has “the words of eternal life” (John 6:68) and that to receive in faith the gift of his Eucharist is to receive the Lord himself.

“…to receive in faith the gift of his Eucharist is to receive the Lord himself.” What an amazing gift! To actually be in the presence of the Lord every time we attend mass!
 
Dear Ron,

The following link is a simple, concise, and definitely to the point, pastoral letter on the Holy Eucharist. Read it slowly in sections, meditate on it, pray with it, share it. Even though you already know what is in it since it is primarily basic information, it will warm your heart and affirm your mind.

www.rockforddiocese.org click Meet Bishop Doran.
Then click Bishop Doran’s “Pastoral Letter on the Eucharist”, 1997. or try www.rockforddiocese.org/bishop

I don’t know if this idea would fit your situation. When one of my six kids starting asking questions about the Church, I was o.k. giving answers. (This kid had left the Church, went west, and returned back to home ground.) When he started explaining kismet as a way of life to follow, I wasn’t sure how to handle it.
Fortunately, I decided to view these strange ideas as part of a searching process for truth. Instead of countering kismet, etc.,
I would go :hmmm: and then listen some more. Sometimes, I would say – Stephen, it sounds like you are searching or I’m proud of you for trying to figure things out. Sometimes, he would mumble something about his past. :hmmm: When it came to the point where he was ready to actually address issues involving the Church, we both were comfortable with talking turkey. My guess is that you are already doing this suggestion. So please take this suggestion as an affirmation. What I should add is that sometimes the period of asking questions can be unbearably long. When that is followed by silence, don’t beat yourself up. Sometimes all one does is go in circles. :hmmm: Sometimes two people have to agree to disagree. If that happens, don’t consider it a final decision. Let the Holy Spirit work.

If she likes to quote Scripture, have her read it out loud to you. Depending on the individual circumstances you can agree to the beauty of the verse even if you don’t agree on the interpretation.
Or you can read out loud the part before and the part after the quote. Or you can share your own favorite passage. Or read out loud John 3:16, then add verse 17, and pause.
Avoid scripture dueling.

Just had a brain flash since you indicated that she was a Fundamentalist. Or maybe you are doing this already…
Suggest that one night a week, probably a Wednesday, the both of you read Scripture for about five minutes. She goes with you to Holy Mass so logically you should let her choose the reading. Keep in mind that this is a holy moment and not an opportunity for discussion. Also, don’t force this suggestion.

I don’t know the custom in your parish, but in our area, other Christians usually sit through the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. There may be times when you can stay sitting with her. But, and this is important, make sure you always kneel for the Consecration and always stand for the Gospel. In our area, people have forgotten how to genuflect toward the tabernacle or generally toward the altar before entering the pew. If you already do this, comment simply that your reason is that Jesus is truly present. If you start to do this, you can explain that you are growing in your faith and you choose to honor Jesus.

One last thing, often people we love will come so close to joining the Church and then stop. If this happens, it is not your fault.
Sometime ago there was a post from a convert who said it took him 10 years. My best friend’s mother converted after being married for more than 60 years. Whatever happens, do continue in the love you share for each other. Jesus understands.

Blessings,
grannymh

P.S. When Stephen finally received the Sacrament of Reconciliation, he was transformed like Saul falling off his horse.
Now his spiritual life is far more advanced than mine will ever be.
He still has his ups and downs; nonetheless, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and the Sacrament of Reconciliation keep him true to his faith. Small note: People, like Stephen, often use the Sacrament of Reconciliation to obtain graces to get past those pesky venial sins and grow in their service to God and others.
 
Receiving Communion . . .

If she does not believe what the Church teaches, why would she go up and say “Amen” to something she thinks is false? I don’t think folks realize that receiving when they don’t believe is lying with their actions. (they just want to go do what everyone else is doing w/o thinking about it)
:sad_yes:

Actually, you know, I think it is amazing that she is going with you! I know fundamentalist Baptists who wouldn’t go in a Catholic Church to escape a:eek: cattle stampede!! (Some of these people are 😊 my own relatives…)
 
The warm, fuzzy Jesus is a myth.
Dear 1ke,

“The warm, fuzzy Jesus”, which was actually taught in my area, damaged the faith of a lot of people in your generation which is my kids’ generation. So I’m really glad you brought it up.

Note: to Ron,

Keep Post 8 in mind. It is not necessary to scare anyone about the examples in the post to which I add the passage about the “narrow gate”. It is necessary to recognize their full meaning. What is important is that there are seven sacraments to help us. Which reminds me, in your prayers ask God for the graces of the Sacrament of Matrimony. Remind God that these graces were promised for the length of your marriage. Well, maybe you should put your request in more polite words than mine. 😉

Blessings,
grannymh

P.S. The Sacrament of Holy Orders provides priests to help us…just in case someone was wondering about the number seven.
 
I think Pope John Paul II explained it best in Ecclesia de Eucharistia and here is the relevant part that you need to base your response upon.
  1. In considering the Eucharist as the sacrament of ecclesial communion, there is one subject which, due to its importance, must not be overlooked: I am referring to the relationship of the Eucharist to ecumenical activity. We should all give thanks to the Blessed Trinity for the many members of the faithful throughout the world who in recent decades have felt an ardent desire for unity among all Christians. The Second Vatican Council, at the beginning of its Decree on Ecumenism, sees this as a special gift of God.89 It was an efficacious grace which inspired us, the sons and daughters of the Catholic Church and our brothers and sisters from other Churches and Ecclesial Communities, to set forth on the path of ecumenism.
Our longing for the goal of unity prompts us to turn to the Eucharist, which is the supreme sacrament of the unity of the People of God, in as much as it is the apt expression and the unsurpassable source of that unity.90 In the celebration of the Eucharistic Sacrifice the Church prays that God, the Father of mercies, will grant his children the fullness of the Holy Spirit so that they may become one body and one spirit in Christ.91 In raising this prayer to the Father of lights, from whom comes every good endowment and every perfect gift (cf. *Jas *1:17), the Church believes that she will be heard, for she prays in union with Christ her Head and Spouse, who takes up this plea of his Bride and joins it to that of his own redemptive sacrifice.
  1. Precisely because the Church’s unity, which the Eucharist brings about through the Lord’s sacrifice and by communion in his body and blood, absolutely requires full communion in the bonds of the profession of faith, the sacraments and ecclesiastical governance, it is not possible to celebrate together the same Eucharistic liturgy until those bonds are fully re-established. Any such concelebration would not be a valid means, and might well prove instead to be an obstacle, to the attainment of full communion, by weakening the sense of how far we remain from this goal and by introducing or exacerbating ambiguities with regard to one or another truth of the faith. The path towards full unity can only be undertaken in truth. In this area, the prohibitions of Church law leave no room for uncertainty,92 in fidelity to the moral norm laid down by the Second Vatican Council.93
I would like nonetheless to reaffirm what I said in my Encyclical Letter *Ut Unum Sint *after having acknowledged the impossibility of Eucharistic sharing: “And yet we do have a burning desire to join in celebrating the one Eucharist of the Lord, and this desire itself is already a common prayer of praise, a single supplication. Together we speak to the Father and increasingly we do so ‘with one heart’”.94
  1. While it is never legitimate to concelebrate in the absence of full communion, the same is not true with respect to the administration of the Eucharist* under special circumstances, to individual persons *belonging to Churches or Ecclesial Communities not in full communion with the Catholic Church. In this case, in fact, the intention is to meet a grave spiritual need for the eternal salvation of an individual believer, not to bring about an *intercommunion *which remains impossible until the visible bonds of ecclesial communion are fully re-established.
This was the approach taken by the Second Vatican Council when it gave guidelines for responding to Eastern Christians separated in good faith from the Catholic Church, who spontaneously ask to receive the Eucharist from a Catholic minister and are properly disposed.95 This approach was then ratified by both Codes, which also consider – with necessary modifications – the case of other non-Eastern Christians who are not in full communion with the Catholic Church.96
(Cont’d)
 
  1. In my Encyclical* Ut Unum Sint* I expressed my own appreciation of these norms, which make it possible to provide for the salvation of souls with proper discernment: “It is a source of joy to note that Catholic ministers are able, in certain particular cases, to administer the sacraments of the Eucharist, Penance and Anointing of the Sick to Christians who are not in full communion with the Catholic Church but who greatly desire to receive these sacraments, freely request them and manifest the faith which the Catholic Church professes with regard to these sacraments. Conversely, in specific cases and in particular circumstances, Catholics too can request these same sacraments from ministers of Churches in which these sacraments are valid”.97
**These conditions, from which no dispensation can be given, must be carefully respected, even though they deal with specific individual cases, because the denial of one or more truths of the faith regarding these sacraments and, among these, the truth regarding the need of the ministerial priesthood for their validity, renders the person asking improperly disposed to legitimately receiving them. And the opposite is also true: Catholics may not receive communion in those communities which lack a valid sacrament of Orders.98
**
The faithful observance of the body of norms established in this area 99 is a manifestation and, at the same time, a guarantee of our love for Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament, for our brothers and sisters of different Christian confessions – who have a right to our witness to the truth – and for the cause itself of the promotion of unity.
There’s your essential answer. If one does not agree with us that the Eucharist is the body and blood, soul and divinity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, then one cannot and should not attempt to receive communion lest one give a defacto witness that one believes something that one does not.

That would be misleading and we don’t want to do that.

I hope that helps. The majority of that is for you so you can best understand in case it leads to deeper discussion.
 
My wife (not a Catholic) attends Mass with me quite regularly… Questions are being asked… [she say’s] “I can’t believe that non Catholics can’t take Communion; would Jesus turn anyone away?”
Ron, explain to your wife the “Covenant of Mariage”, through this sacred union the two become one and all is made complete through the consumation of marriage. Tell her that the Church is the Bride of Christ, and we are the members of the Bride Groom; Jesus Christ.

We cannot come into complete consumation of this sacred union until we have entered into the sacred union set aside by the Church. We must first be married to the Bride, before the consumation is completed in the reception of the holy eucharist.

If she; your wife truly believes, then first marry the Bride, then comes the consumation.
 
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