Homosexuals and the Holy Eucharist

[Abira]

yeah i was replying to the thread generally.

I think we agree… my IFs were simply to say that it’s very cut and dried answer to either scenario…

celibate and SSA or non celibate and SSA… easy distinction and no real room for debate there for me.

S x

 

[PauloFreire2]

“Otherwise they cannot remain in the One Body Jesus promised because they are not keeping His commands.”

He said nothing about gays.

 

[sacredcello]

“Otherwise they cannot remain in the One Body Jesus promised because they are not keeping His commands.”

He said nothing about gays.

Which commands? To love one another? Or to proclaim the Good News which includes a call to repentance from sin?

Jesus said nothing about gays because the distinction between homosexual acts and homosexual identity did not exist in his time. Sinful behavior was just that.

It is only recently that we, as human beings, have come to be obsessed with identity and sexual attraction.

 

[sacredcello]

Where there is enough evidence to cause distraction or scandal to the flock and to directly confront such individuals.

If you know, then others in the parish know, which is then public information. I am not sure why you believe that this then becomes a witch hunt.

You stop short of presenting the whole gospel message of salvation calling for repentance in order to receive the saving redemption of Christ’s blood:

“For there is no distinction; since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, they are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as an expiation by his blood, to be received by faith.” Romans 3: 22-25

“I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Luke 5: 32

This is an inadequate response, IMHO. You know that a present darkness occupies the choir loft, yet you allow this to go on unopposed. Take a lesson from St. Paul who made no bones about exposing darkness:

“And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But fornication and **all impurity **or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is fitting among saints. Let there be no filthiness, nor silly talk, nor levity, which are not fitting; but instead let there be thanksgiving. Be sure of this, that no fornicator or impure man, or one who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for it is because of these things that the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not associate with them, for once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is a shame even to speak of the things that they do in secret; but when anything is exposed by the light it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light.” Ephesians 5: 2-13

That’s fabulous. I only wish there were a support group for whistle blowers.

Remember, I am in an extremely liberal parish and archdiocese. Even the conservatives are weary of upheaval after the firing of our last music director. There was tremendous backlash in the newspapers which made our parish and the Church, in general, out to be an archaic religion, out of touch with reality.

If I were to make a gigantic fuss and he were actually to be fired, it might be a small victory, with a terrible consequence for the parish.

As it is, there is no scandal, because he is quietly living his life. I have no idea if the whole choir even knows. Certainly not the parishioners.

I say there is a state of moral decline, because his lifestyle makes others (those who know) feel justified in their sins.

 

[PauloFreire2]

Gays have every right to receive. They too are children of God. I don’t care what Paul had to say about them. I go with what JESUS said about them, which was NOTHING.

 

[Jerome42]

My pastor is proposing to begin a ministry to lesbians and gays by making our parish a “welcoming church.” He has asked for feedback on this from me and the other members of the pastoral council. My gut feeling is positive in that I’d like to bring the good news of Christ to these people. I’ve read the USCCB statement “Ministry to Persons with a Homosexual Inclination” which I found to be very informative and helpful.

I still have a concern, however, and it has to do with welcoming homosexuals into full participation within our parish without making it clear to them that homosexual acts are sinful. In particular, I don’t feel that it would be right for them to partake of holy communion while still engaged in a homosexual lifestyle, without any intention to change. (In fairness, I also feel this way about the straight men and women in our church who are cohabiting, yet who receive communion with no compunction at all about their behavior.)

Any insight you can offer would be appreciated…

We must welcome all into the Church however there are strict rules for the reception of Our Lord’s Body and Blood. That being said we must pray for those with homosexual inclinations since the only way they can partake in the Eucharist is by living a chaste life. This in itself is nothing new in the Church. Over the ages there have been many saints and martyrs who remained this way thru out their lives even at the risk of their very lives. I have a feeling that Our Lord will look most kindly on those who are able to overcome this very difficult situation. The attached article may give some insight as to the gravity of homosexual acts: newoxfordreview.org/article.jsp?did=0904-gardiner

The media has done all a dis-service , trivializing this entire lifestyle by portraying gays as happy go lucky meticulous little buffoons merrily skipping down the path hand in hand with their significant other(s) to eternal damnation.

This is a very serious matter!

 

[goofyjim]

Gays have every right to receive. They too are children of God. I don’t care what Paul had to say about them. I go with what JESUS said about them, which was NOTHING.

If Jesus is God, why would he have to repeat what was already stated. Homosexual acts are an abomination.

 

[sacredcello]

Gays have every right to receive. They too are children of God. I don’t care what Paul had to say about them. I go with what JESUS said about them, which was NOTHING.

You are right, he said nothing because the homosexual identity did not exist in his time.

He told the woman caught in adultery (sexual sin), to go and sin no more.

If Jesus didn’t care about sin, why was it necessary for him to die a brutal death on the cross in order to conquer it?

 

[blessedtoo]

Gays have every right to receive. They too are children of God. I don’t care what Paul had to say about them. I go with what JESUS said about them, which was NOTHING.

Wrong. Jesus said He came not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. The law had already been written, understood, established, and for the most part in the Jewish identity, followed.

You have a very narrow understanding of Scripture and Tradition for a Catholic. Perhaps you should read some of the tracts provided on the Catholic Answers website. I have found that being correctly educated in my faith has clarified alot of confusion for me.

 

[PauloFreire2]

Wrong. Jesus said He came not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. The law had already been written, understood, established, and for the most part in the Jewish identity, followed.

You have a very narrow understanding of Scripture and Tradition for a Catholic. Perhaps you should read some of the tracts provided on the Catholic Answers website. I have found that being correctly educated in my faith has clarified alot of confusion for me.

That’s a stretch. He openly violated many aspects of Jewish law, which He claimed to have the authority to do. Therefore, He did not validate every aspect of the old law. If homosexuality were such a great issue, Jesus certainly would have had something to say about it.

My education in the Catholic faith is extensive. I have chosen to be a liberal Catholic, in the tradition of Liberation Theology. I can understand your criticisms, but they have no effect. I have thought through my convictions over the course of a very long time. While I love my religion, I also love my country, whose government grants me constitutionally protected rights to disagree with anyone, including you.

 

[PauloFreire2]

“If Jesus didn’t care about sin, why was it necessary for him to die a brutal death on the cross in order to conquer it?”

Of course He cared about sin. I’m simply opposed to Christianity’s commitment to pathologizing homosexuality. It’s a by-product of nature. It’s common to nature, that to which Man belongs.

 

[Chris_McAvoy]

As long as there isnt any un-absolved (in penance) fornication or sodomy, the eucharist can be received by any Catholic in good standing with the Church.

 

[blessedtoo]

That’s a stretch. He openly violated many aspects of Jewish law, which He claimed to have the authority to do.

Not many. Working on the Jewish Sabbath to heal someone? Wasn’t He planning on a new Sabbath anyway? You know, the one called Easter (fulfilling the law)? And wasn’t the point of this violation to extract a greater moral lesson - to not languish in legalism as did the Phasrisees? He certanly did not deviate from the moral laws.

If homosexuality were such a great issue, Jesus certainly would have had something to say about it.

Since Christ did not directly speak to the issue of abortion, euthanasia, birth control, incest, pedolphia, then I guess all those moral prohibitions are up for interpretation as well, right? If that’s your position as a liberal, then you are practicing a completely different religion, my friend. Catholics are guided by Scripture and Tradition.

My education in the Catholic faith is extensive.

Extensively what? Extensively liberal? Have you studied anything that actually reflects what the Catholic Church believes and teaches, like the Catechism?

I have chosen to be a liberal Catholic, in the tradition of Liberation Theology. I can understand your criticisms, but they have no effect. I have thought through my convictions over the course of a very long time. While I love my religion, I also love my country, whose government grants me constitutionally protected rights to disagree with anyone, including you.

Well, good luck with that! BTW: You’re not disagreeing with me friend. My opinion matters not at all. You are dissenting from the most basic tenets of our faith. So, I’m not really sure what religion it is that you love.

 

[whatevergirl]

dear friends,

it is our pastoral duty to welcome gays into the fold. in welcoming them as brothers and sisters we strengthen them with the knowledge that homosexual acts are sin and confessing sin with repentance and reformation restores their sacred romance with God.

God be with you.

governorperez

whatta great post!

 

[PauloFreire2]

Not many. Working on the Jewish Sabbath to heal someone? Wasn’t He planning on a new Sabbath anyway? You know, the one called Easter (fulfilling the law)? And wasn’t the point of this violation to extract a greater moral lesson - to not languish in legalism as did the Phasrisees? He certanly did not deviate from the moral laws.

Since Christ did not directly speak to the issue of abortion, euthanasia, birth control, incest, pedolphia, then I guess all those moral prohibitions are up for interpretation as well, right? If that’s your position as a liberal, then you are practicing a completely different religion, my friend. Catholics are guided by Scripture and Tradition.

Extensively what? Extensively liberal? Have you studied anything that actually reflects what the Catholic Church believes and teaches, like the Catechism?

Well, good luck with that! BTW: You’re not disagreeing with me friend. My opinion matters not at all. You are dissenting from the most basic tenets of our faith. So, I’m not really sure what religion it is that you love.

Rationalizations and over-reaching assertions to support your narrow agenda. Bottom line: JESUS SAID NOTHING ABOUT HOMOSEXUALITY. It was Paul, who didn’t know Jesus personally, who railed against it. Yet ***Paul ***desperately ‘needed’ his young male companions, always. Go figure.

 

[governorperez]

Peace to you my friends,
please vivit website of andrew comiskey.

gov

 

[buffalo]

Gays have every right to receive. They too are children of God. I don’t care what Paul had to say about them. I go with what JESUS said about them, which was NOTHING.

Chaste homosexuals can receive Communion. No one has the right to receive. Those active and promotng the “gay” lifestyle cannot receive.

 

[buffalo]

“If Jesus didn’t care about sin, why was it necessary for him to die a brutal death on the cross in order to conquer it?”

Of course He cared about sin. I’m simply opposed to Christianity’s commitment to pathologizing homosexuality. It’s a by-product of nature. It’s common to nature, that to which Man belongs.

Many deviant actions are common to nature. We are called to journey toward perfection, toward the cross.

 

[buffalo]

JESUS SAID NOTHING ABOUT HOMOSEXUALITY.

How do you know? Were you a witness?

 

[buffalo]

“If Jesus didn’t care about sin, why was it necessary for him to die a brutal death on the cross in order to conquer it?”

Of course He cared about sin. I’m simply opposed to Christianity’s commitment to pathologizing homosexuality. It’s a by-product of nature. It’s common to nature, that to which Man belongs.

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