Eucharist- help?

[jrs88]

Over the last few months my brother has not seemed to believe in God- saying church was stupid and that he had a lot of reasons why we shouldn’t go, and telling me I was stupid because I thought church was actually real. Last time after Mass he was calling the Eucharist a cookie, and saying it was just bread. Is this enough grounds for me to suggest that he not receive next time, or is that not my place? I don’t want to be judgemental, but it seems like if he does not believe he is receiving Jesus, he should not receive?

 

[JMJ_coder]

Over the last few months my brother has not seemed to believe in God- saying church was stupid and that he had a lot of reasons why we shouldn’t go, and telling me I was stupid because I thought church was actually real. Last time after Mass he was calling the Eucharist a cookie, and saying it was just bread. Is this enough grounds for me to suggest that he not receive next time, or is that not my place? I don’t want to be judgemental, but it seems like if he does not believe he is receiving Jesus, he should not receive?

If he thinks going to Church is stupid and claims reasons for not going, why is he even there to receive Communion?

If he doesn’t believe in the Real Presence, then he should NOT receive it. You do have a right (and I would say an obligation) to inform him of such. You might also want to ask him why he doesn’t believe and try to counsel his doubt.

 

[jrs88]

My parents make him go to church. My family got really lax about attending Mass for a while, and then last year I started getting really into the faith and trying to get them to go, but it seems in that meantime my brother has lost his faith. Thank you for replying- I will say next time that he should not receive. I have tried talking to him about why he doesn’t believe, he doesn’t really have an answer, but of course I’ll keep trying.

 

[JMJ_coder]

My parents make him go to church. My family got really lax about attending Mass for a while, and then last year I started getting really into the faith and trying to get them to go, but it seems in that meantime my brother has lost his faith. Thank you for replying- I will say next time that he should not receive. I have tried talking to him about why he doesn’t believe, he doesn’t really have an answer, but of course I’ll keep trying.

I thought so. It may be he just has more of a ‘I don’t want to’ and ‘why do my silly parents make me get up on Sunday morning’ type attitude then any actual reasons for disbelief. In his age group (I’m assuming he’s at least in his teens) it’s fairly typical. I mean, for his group of peers, Church is just ‘not cool’.

 

[Della]

This video was made by a 15 year old Catholic guy:
mycatholicvoice.com/media/view/jU7ooQ#5. Your brother may find it interesting.

A lot of young people have no idea what they are supposed to get out of Mass or even why there is Mass (why the Church puts so much emphasis on it). If you do a bit of research, easily found on this website, you may be able to help your brother understand what he is missing out on with his rejection of things he doesn’t really understand.

The “cookie” thing is a Protestant slur against the Eucharist. I’d find out if he has some Protestant friend(s) telling him why he doesn’t have to believe in it. Teens are often more influenced by what their friends think than their family members because they want to fit into their peer group.

 

[jrs88]

I thought so. It may be he just has more of a ‘I don’t want to’ and ‘why do my silly parents make me get up on Sunday morning’ type attitude then any actual reasons for disbelief. In his age group (I’m assuming he’s at least in his teens) it’s fairly typical. I mean, for his group of peers, Church is just ‘not cool’.

I think that is part of it, but there is definitely also a lack of belief because of some of the things he says. I have asked him to “enlighten” me, after he said I was stupid, and asked if he was going to tell me about evolution, and he wouldn’t answer. I don’t think he really knows why he doesn’t believe it or even if he really does not. I think he might be hearing a lot about science but taking it in a way that he thinks this clearly means his faith is not real-when obviously evolution is compatible with religion (intelligent design). I also think part of it is that he likes the “shock factor” that saying these things results in. He is 15, I am 19, for the record.

 

[jrs88]

This video was made by a 15 year old Catholic guy:
mycatholicvoice.com/media/view/jU7ooQ#5. Your brother may find it interesting.

A lot of young people have no idea what they are supposed to get out of Mass or even why there is Mass (why the Church puts so much emphasis on it). If you do a bit of research, easily found on this website, you may be able to help your brother understand what he is missing out on with his rejection of things he doesn’t really understand.

The “cookie” thing is a Protestant slur against the Eucharist. I’d find out if he has some Protestant friend(s) telling him why he doesn’t have to believe in it. Teens are often more influenced by what their friends think than their family members because they want to fit into their peer group.

Yes, I really think he does not understand it, because I know I didn’t understand it much until I decided to research Catholicism on my own. The thought of maybe Protestant friends evangelizing him did come up, after he was talking about the Eucharist as “just bread” I asked him about that, and it does not seem to be the case. I think his friends are more non-religious than anything, and that is helping influence him.

 

[Della]

Yes, I really think he does not understand it, because I know I didn’t understand it much until I decided to research Catholicism on my own. The thought of maybe Protestant friends evangelizing him did come up, after he was talking about the Eucharist as “just bread” I asked him about that, and it does not seem to be the case. I think his friends are more non-religious than anything, and that is helping influence him.

And so it goes with the modern American teen. Sad, isn’t it? They’re robbed of true life and happiness while they pursue partying and shallow relationships they won’t remember when they’re 30.

 

[ironman62292]

If he doesn’t believe he simply can’t receive. When receiving communion we are in essence saying yes that we believe that what we are receiving is the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ. Pray for him. I use to be indifferent to my faith. God works wonderous miracles.

 

[GailMac]

Dear jrs88 - Help your brother be honest. When you go to Mass together help him stay seated in the pew while you go up to receive. Ask him to pray for you while you do. Perhaps in time the heartache you going through will be over. I hope so.

Perhaps in time he’ll go to the Priest there and that ache will be over. God bless you.

Peace,

Gail