If I'm Baptized, Shouldn't I Have The Right To Communion Too?

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hockeyfan said:
I had a conversation on this a couple of weeks ago, and did a little Biblical homework then. At the time, I found 2 readings that I find apply strongly. First you have 1 Corinthians 11:23-29 saying

That reading, in a nutshell, says that one must not take Communion lightly. Then I found 1 John 5:16-17, and this one says

This reading is about protecting all wrongdoing, even if it isn’t yours. As John, chapter 6 says, Jesus is present in the bread and wine. That is why in a Catholic Church, a non-Catholic should not be able to just walk in, not believing in the divine presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, and sin.
[SIGN]Protestant, friend, Non-Catholics, atheists, Everyone is Welcome at the awesome Last Supper Feast (The Mass) Our Lord told The Apostles to do In His Remembrance; But the “Concecration” (Christ’s ‘Blessing’) of Bread/Wine Into His Real Presence (The Most Sacred Moment In the Catholic Church) by Christ, through the Priest, can be attended Now by All; But ** Receiving The Real Presence Eucharist is Only To, Free of Death in God sin Catholics. **.
  • That has been true Since Christ, the Apostle’s time, Because of Our Lord’s restriction in > 1 Corr 11: 29-30 <. Non-Catholics are welcome to walk in Communion Line with Arms crossed on Shoulders to receive A Blessing from a Priest.
    Code: 
                                                                                                                         Protestant, friend,  know that  a   few  Thousand  Protestant   Ministers  have  converted  to   'Just  Catholics'  in  the last  20  years,  to  Live The  Fulll  Catholic   Church Of  Christ,  and  Receive  Him   in The       Eucharist?    Please   see  The  Journey  Home   on    EWTN/EWTN.com,  All Media     worldwide,   which  has  Hour  Long  Interviews with One  former Minister  on Why they   Converted.  ***RCIA   Classes   About  Everything  Catholic   beginning  NOW  in  Every  Catholic   Parish***,  as  was done  in the  Catacombs    1800  Years  ago.  No  obligations, but  Requirement to Become  Catholic  and  Live    Entire  Bible  In    His  Church,  and  Receive  His  Real  Presence  lifetime. Thanks  for   asking your  Very  Important question, brother in Christ  friend,  Protestant.  PS:    The   Church teaches   "It   Can be  a   Sin to  Look  down on any  other  Faith."  It's  In our   Catechism!.
    :blessyou::tiphat:, Protestant! AntalKalnoky. [/SIGN]
    I hope that helped.[/QUFor Catholics OTE]
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Miriam1947 said:
Even today as a catechumen you will leave Mass early.
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Only in some Orthodox Churches, Not in Roman Catholic Churches. We have a small sign in the back of our Church at the doors: [SIGN] “Only Judas left early” 👍 :amen: [/SIGN]
 
Protestant_Me said:
Why is it wrong for a Protestant to take Communion in a Catholic Church? We all belive in God and the wonderful things his Son did for humanity. I understand that it is the blood and body of Christ that is given in that piece of leavened bread and sip of wine. Why am I not worthy? Please help me understand.
Thank You, God Bless.
Protestant Me.
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I highly recommend read the book “Lamb’s Supper - The Mass and Heaven on Earth” by Scott Hahn to learn more about how the Sacrament of Eucharist is biblical and why we Catholics worship God the way we worship.
 
AntalKalnoky said:
Only in some Orthodox Churches, Not in Roman Catholic Churches. We have a small sign in the back of our Church at the doors: [SIGN] “Only Judas left early” 👍 :amen: [/SIGN]
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I have two Latin Rite CCs in my town.

In one the catechumens leave early and in the other they do not. It seems to be entirely up to the pastor.

What is kinda strange to me is that the one where the catechumens leave early is kinda liberal and the one where they do not is very traditional.
 
I’m going to probably echo the sentiments of everyone else here.

I quite enjoy going to Mass and attending liturgy, and on occasion checking out the Divine Liturgy in Orthodox churches. While it would be awesome to participate, dear OP, it’s only fair that we respect the wishes and guidelines of the churches.

I think you may be looking at it too much as a rejection of you as a person instead of a very correct desire to protect the elements. If you believe the Bible and you believe that Holy Communion is a sacred sacrament/ordinance/ritual of the Church, then you also agree that it must be treated as such at all times. Therefore, I think it’s only right that Catholics and others who believe in the real presence guard carefully who takes Communion. When I first began investigating older Christianity, my friend invited me to her Christmas Lutheran service. She encouraged me to get up and participate in Holy Communion. I politely declined, because then I neither believed in the real presence nor did I believe it was appropriate to join in on something that I knew was discouraged by the church as a whole.

I personally wish Evangelical churches adopted a similar attitude to Communion. At least where I’ve attended, there isn’t that sense of reverence for it that I think is essential.
 
FabiusMaximus said:
I’m going to probably echo the sentiments of everyone else here.

I quite enjoy going to Mass and attending liturgy, and on occasion checking out the Divine Liturgy in Orthodox churches. While it would be awesome to participate, dear OP, it’s only fair that we respect the wishes and guidelines of the churches.

I think you may be looking at it too much as a rejection of you as a person instead of a very correct desire to protect the elements. If you believe the Bible and you believe that Holy Communion is a sacred sacrament/ordinance/ritual of the Church, then you also agree that it must be treated as such at all times. Therefore, I think it’s only right that Catholics and others who believe in the real presence guard carefully who takes Communion. When I first began investigating older Christianity, my friend invited me to her Christmas Lutheran service. She encouraged me to get up and participate in Holy Communion. I politely declined, because then I neither believed in the real presence nor did I believe it was appropriate to join in on something that I knew was discouraged by the church as a whole.

I personally wish Evangelical churches adopted a similar attitude to Communion. At least where I’ve attended, there isn’t that sense of reverence for it that I think is essential.
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Thank you FM for your exellent post and to all actually, wonderful council for our dear Protestant friend, Peace, Carlan
 
I think there is some really good material in the above posts. Two points of clarity though:
It’s a common misconception (by protestants as well as catholics) to say that protestants “do not believe in the real presence in the Eucharist” The truth is more complex than this. Of course, most protestants do not believe in Transubstation (though some Anglicans do) but Lutherans and most of the reformed churches do actually believe in the real presence. If you have ever been to a Lutheran or Reformed Communion service (for example in the Church of Scotland) , it is actually very solemn and beautiful, and the Eucharistic Prayers are very long and thoughful.
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It is actually possible for Anglicans in France to receive communion in a catholic church if they are too far from an Anglican Church. This agreement has been in place for almost 30 years.
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Protestant_Me said:
Why is it wrong for a Protestant to take Communion in a Catholic Church? We all belive in God and the wonderful things his Son did for humanity. I understand that it is the blood and body of Christ that is given in that piece of leavened bread and sip of wine. Why am I not worthy? Please help me understand.
Thank You, God Bless.
Protestant Me.
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Lots of great comments so far…especially the point about nobody truly being worthy. I should also note that even Catholics are only supposed to receive Communion when certain conditions are met – when we are not in a state of mortal sin and we have fasted for the period of time required by the Church. A Catholic should not receive either if he is in mortal sin, or if he hasn’t fasted for the required period.

When I was going through RCIA years ago, the Pastor at my Parish explained that we refuse the Sacrament to non-Catholics for their own protection.

In 1 Corinthians 26-29, St. Paul tells us: “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself.”

Because most of our Protestant brethren do not believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist, and those who do have an understanding of the Priesthood and the Eucharist that doesn’t align with what we believe to be the truth, allowing them to receive the Sacrament would be allowing them to profane the body and blood of the Lord…which wouldn’t be good for anybody, least of all the one receiving!

We could say, “all are welcome!” and let anybody receive the Sacrament…but given how clear Holy Scripture is on the subject, it wouldn’t be a very loving thing to invite our Protestant brethren to ‘drink judgment upon [themselves]’. We want to help them (and everybody) on the path to salvation, not lead them into sin!

At least in theory, Catholics know that they ‘drink judgment upon [themselves]’ when deciding to present themselves for Communion if they are not in a proper state to receive. Probably most of our Protestant brethren don’t fully understand the stakes, and so we exclude them (until they, like me, choose to enter into full communion with the Church).

I hope this helps explain it. God bless!
 
It wasn’t that many years ago, that most non-Catholic Christian churches also practiced ‘closed’ communion, too. There are some churches in my area where this is still the case, most notably Lutherans.
I don’t see it as a problem. I mean, I wouldn’t expect that Baptists would be required to practice paedobaptism, either. [Even though I worry about their poor children…]
 
Miriam1947 said:
I have two Latin Rite CCs in my town.

In one the catechumens leave early and in the other they do not. It seems to be entirely up to the pastor.

What is kinda strange to me is that the one where the catechumens leave early is kinda liberal and the one where they do not is very traditional.
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How do you define “Catechumens”? We always have a Few leaving Before Communion, probably because they know they are not Qualified to Receive, but love The Mass. They are not catechumens, which is a Defined, limited meaning for RCIA Students.
 
Zooey said:
It wasn’t that many years ago, that most non-Catholic Christian churches also practiced ‘closed’ communion, too. There are some churches in my area where this is still the case, most notably Lutherans.
I don’t see it as a problem. I mean, I wouldn’t expect that Baptists would be required to practice paedobaptism, either. [Even though I worry about their poor children…]
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Exactly. During the 1990’s diffrent Lutheran Synods did not allow Communion by the Other Synod in their Church, etc. Also different Denomations, defined by Which denomination some could, some couldn’t. Became very comoplicated to keep up with. But we all are Followers of One Lord, His Basic Teachings for All of us. Am involved with a Joint Word/Worship annually, over a Century in Northern VA.
 
For the OP’er—

Don’t take the Catholic perspective as “you are closed off from the Eucharist because you’re Protestant”. It is a blessed privilege that not even most Catholics really ought to participate in, but through Confession and God’s grace we can.

So this is what we ask, before you decide you can partake in the Eucharist-- Jesus’ own Body and Blood-- open your heart to Christ and learn about the Eucharist. Learn about the reverence that Catholics and Orthodox have for it, the theology behind it taught by the Fathers of the Church, and read the Scriptures that shows that Jesus taught this massage of HIS body and HIS blood from the very beginning. Prepare yourself for Christ.

Then… and only through God’s amazing grace, love, and mercy… will you (and anybody else for that matter) be able to partake in our Savior’s Body and Blood.

Blessings!
 
Protestant_Me said:
Why is it wrong for a Protestant to take Communion in a Catholic Church? We all belive in God and the wonderful things his Son did for humanity. I understand that it is the blood and body of Christ that is given in that piece of leavened bread and sip of wine. Why am I not worthy? Please help me understand.
Thank You, God Bless.
Protestant Me.
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A small group of missionaries went into a village in the jungle in South America … they befriended the people … and then they were betrayed and all were murdered. The wives of the men that were murdered went back into that same village and preached Christ… the entire village became Christian … including one of the men that committed the murders. This all happened within the last 40 years and is a well known story … Yet none of these precious people are welcome at the Catholic communion table.

The drug cartel was crushed in Columbia by a small group of Christians that were sent by the Holy spirit with power. Christian leaders gave their lives as martyrs … simply because they called people to prayer. Not Catholic prayer … Just Bible believing men and women and children of God … praying and living the word of God. The power of the Holy Spirit moved through thousands of people in a movement that Filled huge stadiums over and over … that had no connection with the Catholic Religion … Though the Catholic Religion has had a strong presence in South America for centuries. As a result the kingpins were brought down after decades of violence and peace reigned, People were set free. Righteousness reigned.
In a country where multiple drug related murders per day was the norm and terror reigned … God brought peace through faith in his word that “those who hunger and thirst after righteousness will be satisfied”… yet none of those … who dared to trust God’s word in the face of death … who participated and followed the Word of God to victory
… but …do not specifically follow Catholic teaching … are welcome to share in their Communion.

I think that it is based on the fact that… though the Catholic Church teaches that the Universal Christian Communion is One, Holy and Catholic …
They do not believe it. They believe that Jesus poured out the Holy Spirit and power on them and those whom they choose to succeed them… and no one else. They talk of unity an re-unity … but always from a position of absolute control.
When examples of the Holy Spirit working outside of the Catholic Religion are given … there is always a reason given by Catholics that minimizes the righteous … that live by faith outside the doors of the Catholic Religion… which must preclude them from participation in Catholic Communion.
 
It is very difficult for non-Catholics to realize how disbelief and disunity, as well as self-will, go against our sacred unity.

The Eucharist is also representative of our sacred unity among all Catholic believers that include our Holy Father and all our bishops and all those of us they represent. Thus one must receive in good faith and literal communion with those of us who stay together and worship at one table.

You can’t receive the Eucharist but then keep yourself separate from us.
 
runningdude said:
Here is the kicker. **There is absolutely no bread or wine in the Eucharist ** :eek:- the bread and wine are wholly transformed (transubstantiated) into the Body and Blood of Jesus.
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Just a slight correction here. The bread and wine are not transformed. The form of bread and wine remains. It is the substance that changes, thus Transubstantiation rather than transformation.
 
The question is not about recognition … it is about reciprocation.

What is abrasive about God’s amazing glory manifest through humble and willing servants? … and the Gospel being spread through God’s holy martyrs?

I gave concrete examples proving that the Holy Spirit does not draw the same lines or conclusions that religion does … and that God moves without respect to religious boundaries set by men.
I am a non Catholic addressing a non Catholic on the part of the forum specifically set up to compare and contrast non Catholic perspectives.

The person asked why he cant take Catholic Communion.
…as a non Catholic, I expressed the idea that God doesnt differentiate … and provided examples.
 
ok

… I detected sarcasm in yours…😉

… re:" inform us of hitherto unknown"
 
The point is that there is no difference in prayer … or in Christian commitment … or in communion… except in religious minds.

My examples prove that there is not any real substantive difference between Catholics and the Christians in my examples.

The focus and the intent of the examples was to show that those who are not Catholic have striven and achieved the high call as Paul the Apostle describes it …and have proven their ability to serve and die for Christ … but are denied Catholic Communion.
 
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