Is the Holy Eucharist only for Catholics?

[Rolltide]

As a catholic I missed the part of who can’t recieve the Eucharist.

However, today the souce of my teaching is from the Bible a book I never read as a Catholic because of the differences with the chatecism

No purgatory, mortal or venial sin to mention a couple.

So who is practicing communion in the way God wants it to be.
Somehow I doubt God accepts both ways?

Thank you,

truth

The Catechism has COPIOUS references in it to the Biblical passages that back up the listed doctrines, including the Real Presence, purgatory, and mortal and venial sin.

 

[Rolltide]

Don’t forget the Lutherans. They have a different theology but they also believe in a form of the Real Presence.

True, that was an oversight on my part. I’m sorry to say that I don’t have the statistical breakdown for the Lutherans…

 

[whatisthetruth]

Hi homewardbound

Thank you for your reply. I have not completely read thru

to answer your ?'s

Have you ever read John chapter 6?

Yes I have.

If Jesus meant Communion to be taken symbolically why didn’t he correct the Jews? If Jesus did not mean this the way the Jews thought, why did he not stop them and let them know he only meant it symbolically?

Could it be Jesus was testing their faith???

He told them “Whoever does not eat of my flesh and blood has no life in him” and the Jews were quite shocked…how could he expect them to actually eat his flesh and blood? They walked away.

The thought of cannabalism probably discouraged them

If Jesus meant it as a symbol and allowed the Jews to turn their back on Him, did he not just sin?

Jesus does not sin, He does not have to convince anyone on who He is.

You never read your Bible as a Catholic because…???

Of all my years in the church, A priest or nun or my parents ever encouraged reading it.

It definitely had nothing to do with Catholic teaching, I have yet to meet a Catholic who does not read their Bible and study it.

I am glad you did not have the same experiece as I

I am sorry you are so confused and turned away from God’s Church. I hope God will lead you back where He wants you

What makes you sure I am the confused one?

From John 6

63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. 64 Yet there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him.

Everything Jesus had said to that point was in Spirit.

One day we all will find the truth

Let me ask you, do you believe as I once did that only Catholics have a chance to go to heaven. This subject right here may be the determining factor?

Thanks

truth

 

[whatisthetruth]

Hi rolltide

The Catechism has COPIOUS references in it to the Biblical passages that back up the listed doctrines, including the Real Presence, purgatory, and mortal and venial sin.

Where in the bible can I find purgatory, and mortal and venial sin?

thanks

truth.

 

[Rolltide]

Hi rolltide

Where in the bible can I find purgatory, and mortal and venial sin?

thanks

truth.

Here are the links to the appropriate Biblical references (and the writings from the Early Church Fathers) on Purgatory. Mortal sins and venial sins are consequences of that teaching:

scripturecatholic.com/purgatory.html

Please keep in mind that the Catholic Church holds Sacred Tradition to be as important as the Bible, so even if something is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, it is acceptable, as long as it does not contradict it. (The Trinity would be a good example of something not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, but nevertheless believed by Tradition).

Here’s more from the Early Church Fathers on Mortal Sin:
catholic.com/library/Mortal_Sin.asp

 

[homewardbound]

Nope. Catholics do not teach that only they go to Heaven. If that is what you were taught, whoever taught you did not know what they were talking about.

On John chapter 6: Why would Jesus be so cruel to allow those he loved to believe a lie? How can their faith be tested through false teaching? You are right, he does not have to convince anyone of who he is. The apostles believed in Him and spread his truth. Only the Catholic Church has Apostolic Succession and have documents to trace back. Only the Catholic Church has been around since the time of Christ. Protestants never came along until the 15th century. If I have to choose, even just based on history…I think I’ll choose the one Christ obviously established himself.

I know I am not the confused one. I’ve been studying Christianity and praying for God to lead me to His Truth for almost two years now. Never once has He led me to Protestant teaching since I have asked for His guidance. I know what the Church teaches, and I know they do not have any teaching whatsoever that goes against Scripture. I wish you the best in your spiritual journey. Trust in God, ask for His guidance, and I believe He will never lead you away from Him.

If Protestantism is what works for you, thats fine. It didn’t work for me. I’ve never been closer to God than I am now that I’ve escaped from the confusion of all of that. But my family is Protestant and I will always love and support them in their own beliefs. I hope no matter where you worship and what you believe you have those in your life who love and support you in what works for you.

 

[Scottgun]

Getting off-topic. This is not a defense of transubstantion, but why non-Catholics cannot commune which brings me to one point I observed: If somebody goes to receive and believes it is only a symbol and not the actual Body and Blood of Christ when the Church clearly states that it is the latter, then when the priest says, “The Body of Christ” and the receiver says “Amen”, then it is a BIG FAT LIE. Do we need to go through what God thinks about lying? So why would a non-Catholic want to do this?

Scott

 

[Rolltide]

Let me ask you, do you believe as I once did that only Catholics have a chance to go to heaven. This subject right here may be the determining factor?

Catholics DO believe (and always have believed) that it is possible for non-Catholics to go to heaven.

From the Catechism of the Catholic Church

“Outside the Church there is no salvation”

846 How are we to understand this affirmation, often repeated by the Church Fathers? Re-formulated positively, it means that all salvation comes from Christ the Head through the Church which is his Body:

Basing itself on Scripture and Tradition, the Council teaches that the Church, a pilgrim now on earth, is necessary for salvation: the one Christ is the mediator and the way of salvation; he is present to us in his body which is the Church. He himself explicitly asserted the necessity of faith and Baptism, and thereby affirmed at the same time the necessity of the Church which men enter through Baptism as through a door. Hence they could not be saved who, knowing that the Catholic Church was founded as necessary by God through Christ, would refuse either to enter it or to remain in it.

847 This affirmation is not aimed at those who, through no fault of their own, do not know Christ and his Church:

Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and, moved by grace, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience - those too may achieve eternal salvation.

848 “Although in ways known to himself God can lead those who, through no fault of their own, are ignorant of the Gospel, to that faith without which it is impossible to please him, the Church still has the obligation and also the sacred right to evangelize all men.”

In other words, those who have never known the truth of the Catholic Church have some chance at salvation if they honestly try to follow a righteous path to the best of their ability, even if they are unaware of the true path. This would apply to both Protestants and non-Christians. If, however, that person had known the truth of the Catholic Church and had rejected it (i.e. had fully and accurately learned about Catholicism and yet left the church), then they would be either in schism or heresy, and their ability to get to heaven would be seriously in doubt. (Fully and accurately being key here.)

 

[CalmDownWisWins]

…

One question I had and quite frankly was the difining moment in which I left the Catholic church.

My priest refused to serve communion to one of my friends, a born again Christian, at my wedding. Fortunately this did not happen at the ceremony. The priest informed my wife ans I in his office prior to the wedding that he can not serve communion to our friend.

I had asked myself right there, I wonder if God really descriminates like that. In my heart God told me no.

If your child had been playing outside with things that shouldn’t be put into their mouths, would you ask them to wash their hands before supper, so that they would not poison themselves?

Since leaving the church I thank God he revealed the truth to me as to what communion is about. I read the thread on the Holy Eucharist.

Whatever it was you read, it didn’t explain what the Host is to you adequately.

If it had, you’d understand why we don’t eat food poisoned by our filthy hands.

I understand the Catholic beliefs. I was Catholic. I do not understand this…

Why was my friend refused to be served communion even before she had the choice to take it or not?

She was not REFUSED the host. She was not prepared for the most holy substance in the universe.

For her to eat of it would be for her to mortally sin, as the Priest MUST inform her of such and once she was informed he couldn’t allow her to “flippantly sin” because she REALLY didn’t understand.

She CAN choose to take the host, but the Priest MUST inform her of the sin in doing so, so to be a good father (small “f”) he made the choice to not allow her to hurt herself.

your reply is welcomed

Thank you

truth

 

[ElizabethAnne]

At our chuch my pastor always starts by saying what you said too…“All are invited to come to the table” he continues “this is the Lord’s table not ours”.

I’m going to attempt an analogy here, let’s see how it goes . Say, there’s a state park and the land is for the use of all. But then, the state puts in place park rangers to protect the park, and they set up certain rules to ensure the park can be enjoyed by all. They restrict the use of fire, they ban littering, etc.

In the same way, God has put in place the Church and priests to safeguard the Eucharist. Their goal is to help people to properly receive the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Our Lord. It protects both the sacrament and those who would receive without being properly disposed (much like restricting fire use would protect both the park and those who could potentially be harmed by fire).

If you could do me a favor, I would appreciate it. Could you imagine what it would be like to believe that Jesus Christ, Our Lord, is present in the Eucharist? I know you don’t believe it, but please consider what it would be like if you did. If you did believe that and knew that it was true, wouldn’t you want others to believe it as well? And would you want people who do not know that the Lord is really, truly present in the host to consume Him without recognizing Him? Wouldn’t they be missing the entire purpose, entire truth of the sacrament?

When I was in college, I found my way to God in His Catholic Church. For more than a year, I attended Mass several times a week, recognizing Jesus Christ present in the Eucharist. But I could not receive Him. I knew that I needed to complete the study, required by the Church, that was necessary to aid me in being properly disposed to receive Him. I can remember kneeling in our little campus chapel and wanting to cry because of the pain I felt in being separated from receiving the Lord.

I try to remember this experience every time I go to Mass now. I remind myself that receiving the Eucharist is a gift, given to me by Christ through His Catholic Church. I am not entitled to receive Him, and even now I must be free from serious sin first.

I hope this helps, and I am happy to answer any questions you may have. I pray that you will be able to understand where we as Catholics are coming from even if you believe differently.

God bless you.

 

[whatisthetruth]

Hi Elizabeth

I am happy to answer any questions you may have. I pray that you will be able to understand where we as Catholics are coming from even if you believe differently.

Thank you for your words, you are kind, My daughters name is Elizabeth, Elizabeths baby jumped in her womb when Mary(pregnant with Jesus) came for a visit…I thought I throw that one in
I do not know if you read this thread from the beginning but I was braught up in the catholic church.

If you could do me a favor, I would appreciate it. Could you imagine what it would be like to believe that Jesus Christ, Our Lord, is present in the Eucharist? I know you don’t believe it, but please consider what it would be like if you did. If you did believe that and knew that it was true, wouldn’t you want others to believe it as well? And would you want people who do not know that the Lord is really, truly present in the host to consume Him without recognizing Him? Wouldn’t they be missing the entire purpose, entire truth of the sacrament?

yes they would based on catholic teaching.

But I could not receive Him. I knew that I needed to complete the study, required by the Church,

That is what I do not understand. Where in the bible does it say one has to complete a study to receive Jesus.

In our church, children are accepting Jesus as Lord and Saviour, being baptized by immersion and participate in our communion service.

I can remember kneeling in our little campus chapel and wanting to cry because of the pain I felt in being separated from receiving the Lord.

I can not imagine the pain you must have experienced. I know this is against what you believe, but had I been a witness to your pain at that moment, I believe right there you could have given your heart to God and accepted Him as Lord and Saviour and been “washed” clean of all your sin.

God bless you too

wouldn’t it be nice if we could hear God via loud speaker. I wonder what he would say about all this.

Right now we believe two different things. I do not believe we are both right. So who has the true understanding on what the word says?

The answer is ________________________

I believe me and you believe you so now what???

God bless

 

[Rolltide]

Right now we believe two different things. I do not believe we are both right. So who has the true understanding on what the word says?

Did you happen to read the (admittedly long) historical argument that I presented above? It could go a very long way in helping you to answer that very question.

 

[Neophyte_Rose]

I seem to remember a section of Scripture from St. Paul saying something along the lines of… he who eats and drinks of the Body and Blood of Christ without discernment eats and drinks judgement upon himself.

I will see if I can find the scriptural reference tomorrow morning, and will post it for you then.

but it seems pretty clear - if it was just a “symbol”, then it wouldn’t be such a big deal to recieve without discernment.

the Eucharist is much more than symbolic.

Pax Christi,
Esther Rose

 

[Neophyte_Rose]

I will take some quotes, out of context here, and answer them in order. I hope you don’t mind I took the liberty of correcting spelling.

whatisthetruth:

In the canon it is said “Christ will come again”

If the Eucharist is the actual body of Christ, then Christ has already come and has been multi distributed all over the world.
and continues to be.

I am assuming you mean the Canon of Scripture. Yes, it is said that Christ will come again. However, Jesus also says in Scripture - “And behold, for I am with you until the end of the age.”

That’s the whole sweet mystery of it. Jesus is physically, Body and Blood, Present in the Catholic Church. Yet the Parousia is yet to come…

maybe, with further Catechesis (as I have often found the case to be), I will one day find myself able to explain it clearly and succinctly. maybe.

For now, I have been blessed with the grace of faith.

However, today the source of my teaching is from the Bible a book I never read as a Catholic because of the differences with the Catechism
No purgatory, mortal or venial sin to mention a couple.
Of all my years in the church, a priest or nun or my parents ever encouraged reading it [the Bible].

The great thing about the Catholic Church is that we have two sources which are entirely complementary. Both should be considered and studied at great depths, in connection with one another, if one desires to truly understand one’s Catholic Faith.

These sources are Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition.

That your parents did not encourage you to read Scripture is tragic, IMO, because I believe that is a parent’s job. Priests and nuns should do the same if they are relating to a child in an educational setting.

Yet the failings of its individual members is not the fault of the Church; it is the fault of sin and the human individual’s habbit of it.

Purgatory, mortal sin and venial sin are all implied in Scripture; they are explicitly revealed through Tradition.

Pax Christi,
Esther Rose

 

[O.S.Luke]

Most Methodists embrace the Real Presence of Christ - more with an understanding like the Orthodox than Catholicism - a mystery we cannot explain, but fully embrace.

Having said that, even though I embrace the Real Presence of Christ, I do not receive if I am at a Mass. Of late, I have avoided going to funerals and weddings if there is a Mass, even if I have been asked to assist as a clergyman, out of respect to Catholics and to avoid the pain of not being welcome.

 

[Neophyte_Rose]

You replied to HomewardBound’s mention of the Jews who left when Jesus said that those who do not eat His Flesh and drink His Blood would not have life within them:

The thought of cannibalism probably discouraged them

I would suggest you reference Rolltide’s history. The very earliest Church was specifically discriminated against because Romans kept thinking they were cannibals. Yet the early Christians did not retract their claim or belief that what they consumed was truly, physically, the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus, the Christ.

If it really was just a symbol, why would the early Christians have done that?

Then you said:

Let me ask you, do you believe as I once did that only Catholics have a chance to go to heaven. This subject right here may be the determining factor?

I think perhaps you were a victim of poor catechesis. This question has been answered sufficiently by previous posters and I see no need to add to the question specifically.

But I would encourage you to seek out correct Catechesis concerning the Catholic Church, before dismissing it as not the right one.

Simply because, from what you’ve said here, it looks like you don’t really know what the Catholic Church believes, teaches and holds to be true.

Pax Christi,
Esther Rose

 

[Neophyte_Rose]

Most Methodists embrace the Real Presence of Christ - more with an understanding like the Orthodox than Catholicism - a mystery we cannot explain, but fully embrace.

Having said that, even though I embrace the Real Presence of Christ, I do not receive if I am at a Mass. Of late, I have avoided going to funerals and weddings if there is a Mass, even if I have been asked to assist as a clergyman, out of respect to Catholics and to avoid the pain of not being welcome.

Luke,

you are more than welcome at MASS.

The Eucharist really is for everyone, though not everyone can recieve.

The Eucharist is the true Presence of Christ, for everyone to love and Adore, to Worship and Love.

The Eucharist is only to be recieved physically by those Catholics in the State of Grace, or those Catholics who “meet the prerequisite conditions”.

But this does not mean that the Eucharist is not for everyone.

It is said that where the Eucharist is exposed, lifted up, that Jesus who is the Eucharist, draws people to Himself and to His Church.

I believe this is true - otherwise, why would a pagan woman(which I was) with no desire for Christianity, beyond an initial curiosity, keep returning to MASS and to the Adoration Chapel, and how could that same pagan have ever ended up converting and believing in the Real Presence?

Pax Christi,
Esther Rose

 

[CalmDownWisWins]

Quote:
But I could not receive Him. I knew that I needed to complete the study, required by the Church,

That is what I do not understand. Where in the bible does it say one has to complete a study to receive Jesus.

In our church, children are accepting Jesus as Lord and Saviour, being baptized by immersion and participate in our communion service.

Who was it that Jesus fed “Himself”? It was only those who had been with Him in “training” for some time.

Baptism is making a commitment to living with Jesus. Communion with Jesus is only for those who are washed first (baptised), trained disciples (confirmed), and free of sin (reconciled).

In your “church” you have no one to train people appropriately, and you have no one to reconcile people appropriately, nor to act in persona Christi so as to have the Real Presence to offer.

To accept Jesus is beautiful. To receive Jesus is magnificent.

It’s heartbreaking that your “church” can only offer people an opportunity to accept Him, and not to commune and be fed with Him.

God gives us things of partial beauty to lead us to the fully beautiful. May your road be smooth and level.

 

[Kitty_Chan]

Luke,

you are more than welcome at MASS.

The Eucharist really is for everyone, though not everyone can recieve.

Pax Christi,
Esther Rose

I share OS Luke and the OP feelings on the matter of being excluded.

I have read in the Wine thread that it was alright for a non catholic to take the bread but not the wine. And that the Body and Blood was present in both species.

Now, your saying its not true, as is the reason for the original question in the thread. This is confusing.

 

[wifeandmomoftwo]

I share OS Luke and the OP feelings on the matter of being excluded.

I have read in the Wine thread that it was alright for a non catholic to take the bread but not the wine. And that the Body and Blood was present in both species.

Now, your saying its not true, as is the reason for the original question in the thread. This is confusing.

A noncatholic may NOT partake in any part of the Eucharist at a Catholic Church…that means no Bread and no wine!

*The guidelines for receiving Communion, which are issued by the U.S. bishops and published in many missalettes, explain, **"We welcome our fellow Christians to this celebration of the Eucharist as our brothers and sisters. We pray that our common baptism and the action of the Holy Spirit in this Eucharist will draw us closer to one another and begin to dispel the sad divisions which separate us. We pray that these will lessen and finally disappear, in keeping with Christ’s prayer for us ‘that they may all be one’ (John 17:21).

"Because Catholics believe that the celebration of the Eucharist is a sign of the reality of the oneness of faith, life, and worship, members of those churches with whom we are not yet fully united are ordinarily not admitted to Communion. Eucharistic sharing in exceptional circumstances by other Christians requires permission according to the directives of the diocesan bishop and the provisions of canon law. . . . " **

Scripture is clear that partaking of the Eucharist is among the highest signs of Christian unity: “Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread” (1 Cor. 10:17). For this reason, it is normally impossible for non-Catholic Christians to receive Holy Communion, for to do so would be to proclaim a unity to exist that, regrettably, does not.

Another reason that many non-Catholics may not ordinarily receive Communion is for their own protection, since many reject the doctrine of the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Scripture warns that it is very dangerous for one not believing in the Real Presence to receive Communion: “For any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died” (1 Cor. 11:29–30).

• catholic.com/library/Who_Can_Receive_Communion.asp