More Eucharist Questions

[fhkjds]

I want to be Catholic, and I bumped into an old friend, and it turns out he wants to be Catholic too. We’re starting RCIA together in the fall. I went to mass with him for the first time this week.

He went up and took the eucharist. On the walk to the bus stop I told him with a smile that he wasn’t supposed to do that. He laughed and said, “I know, but I understand what it is and I’m a Christian, so it’s OK.” And I didn’t want to boss him around but I wanted to say something so I said “Before I take my first communion I’m going to be thinking a lot about it in the weeks leading up to it because it will be a very important event for me.” He said, “I know, but still I want to take it and I like taking it.”

2 questions:

1. Am I right that my friend should wait?
2. What else could I have said?

Also, something else. I have a friend who is an atheist and he said he grew up in a Catholic family. But now he just goes to church with his mom once a year and when he does he takes the eucharist to make her happy, even though she knows he’s an atheist. I told him he shouldn’t do that. His response was, “Jesus was a cool guy. He’d understand.” And I said, “It’s the most important thing to Catholics, even if you don’t believe it, just out of respect you should treat the tradition with respect. To Catholics it is the greatest treasure and if you don’t share those very high beliefs you should respect how important it is to them by not taking it.” He said, “Well, the transubstantiation happens by the faith of those present, and I have no faith, so it’s not the flesh and blood anyway.”

Am I right that my atheist friend shouldn’t take the eucharist? What should I have said? It kind of got under my skin that he was so cavalier about it. I’m not even Catholic and it rubbed me the wrong way! I really want to be Catholic so I am waiting to take the eucharist the right way. He grew up getting to take it from a young age and to him it doesn’t mean anything.

Thanks for reading.

 

[twopekinguys]

I want to be Catholic, and I bumped into an old friend, and it turns out he wants to be Catholic too. We’re starting RCIA together in the fall. I went to mass with him for the first time this week.

He went up and took the eucharist. On the walk to the bus stop I told him with a smile that he wasn’t supposed to do that. He laughed and said, “I know, but I understand what it is and I’m a Christian, so it’s OK.” And I didn’t want to boss him around but I wanted to say something so I said “Before I take my first communion I’m going to be thinking a lot about it in the weeks leading up to it because it will be a very important event for me.” He said, “I know, but still I want to take it and I like taking it.”

2 questions:

1. Am I right that my friend should wait?
2. What else could I have said?

Also, something else. I have a friend who is an atheist and he said he grew up in a Catholic family. But now he just goes to church with his mom once a year and when he does he takes the eucharist to make her happy, even though she knows he’s an atheist. I told him he shouldn’t do that. His response was, “Jesus was a cool guy. He’d understand.” And I said, “It’s the most important thing to Catholics, even if you don’t believe it, just out of respect you should treat the tradition with respect. To Catholics it is the greatest treasure and if you don’t share those very high beliefs you should respect how important it is to them by not taking it.” He said, “Well, the transubstantiation happens by the faith of those present, and I have no faith, so it’s not the flesh and blood anyway.”

Am I right that my atheist friend shouldn’t take the eucharist? What should I have said? It kind of got under my skin that he was so cavalier about it. I’m not even Catholic and it rubbed me the wrong way! I really want to be Catholic so I am waiting to take the eucharist the right way. He grew up getting to take it from a young age and to him it doesn’t mean anything.

Thanks for reading.

Yes, you were correct in telling your friend(s) they should not take the Eucharist, and the responses you gave were right on target.

About the only thing I can add would be to your “Christian” friend, that you could remind him that if he is already validly baptised, he should receive his first reconcilliation, and not be in a state of mortal sin. The same would apply to your athiest friend.

It is refreshing to see that you have done your homework so to speak, on this issue.

Considering the fact that you have addressed this issue with your friend(s), if you see it happening again, I would approach your pastor in a confidential manner, and explain things to him. This could result in a pulpit announcement, a bulletin announcement, or even a homily on the issue. That way, the issue is addressed with everyone without pointing fingers.

God Bless you on your journey.

 

[Bluegoat]

I would say that although he might not agree, it is being disrespectful to do it when the CC has made it clear they don’t think it is appropriate.

 

[skinny_pumpkin]

I was in a similar state today. I attended my 1st mass of my own volition. I wanted to partake, I am allowed to “technically” because I am Eastern Orthodox. I did not partake. Why?

Confession. I do not commune without the grace bestowed upon confession.

 

[Victorious]

He went up and took the eucharist. On the walk to the bus stop I told him with a smile that he wasn’t supposed to do that. He laughed and said, “I know, but I understand what it is and I’m a Christian, so it’s OK.”…1. Am I right that my friend should wait?

Yes, he should wait. If he truly understood what the Eucharist is and what It means, he would not have dared to do what he did.

Also, something else. I have a friend who is an atheist and he said he grew up in a Catholic family. But now he just goes to church with his mom once a year and when he does he takes the eucharist to make her happy, even though she knows he’s an atheist. I told him he shouldn’t do that. His response was, “Jesus was a cool guy. He’d understand.” And I said, “It’s the most important thing to Catholics, even if you don’t believe it, just out of respect you should treat the tradition with respect. To Catholics it is the greatest treasure and if you don’t share those very high beliefs you should respect how important it is to them by not taking it.” He said, “Well, the transubstantiation happens by the faith of those present, and I have no faith, so it’s not the flesh and blood anyway.”

(1) If his mother is a devout, orthodox Catholic, then the last thing on earth that would please her is her atheistic, non-practicing son eating and drinking condemnation unto himself by receiving Communion in his present state. “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.” 1 Corinthians 11:27.

(2) It’s amazing how many people think they can create reality by believing or disbelieving things. “If I believe, transubstantiation happens. If I don’t believe, nothing happens.” People will accept the reasonableness of such a view when it comes to religion, even knowing that when it comes to other aspects of life, it’s nuts. I mean, I can believe all I want that I have a million dollars in the bank; does that make it so?

 

[I_Fortuna]

Whoever takes the Eucharist without grace and without confession in such a light manner is committing a grave sin. I was told that this brings down the judgement of the Lord for those who have taken the Eucharist in an unworthy manner and not in grace.

This sacrament is the most important in the church. These people will be judged by God and it could mean serious consequences. I did the same thing before I converted years ago as I was inspired but because I was alone and not baptized and I did not know any better this mitigated the sin as I understand it…

The people the OP talks about were warned and this disobedient and irreverent taking of the Eucharist is very serious. We must come before the priest and Eucharist in grace having made confession with a contrite heart and perfoming penance. This is no light matter and I would talk to my priest if I were you and tell him what happened since you brought them to church.

 

[Victorious]

This sacrament is the most important in the church. These people will be judged by God and it could mean serious consequences. I did the same thing before I converted years ago as I was inspired but because I was alone and not baptized and I did not know any better this mitigated the sin as I understand it…

As a matter of fact, your Baptism not only washed away that and all other sins you had committed up to then, but also the punishment due to those sins. If you had died immediately afterward, you would have gone straight to heaven – do not pass Go, do not collect $200.00.

 

[stuart12]

“It’s the most important thing to Catholics, even if you don’t believe it, just out of respect you should treat the tradition with respect. **To Catholics it is the greatest treasure **and if you don’t share those very high beliefs you should respect how important it is to them by not taking it.”

You gave a good response and it’s good to see someone in RCIA with that wisdom.

Your friend really should wait as coming into the Church requires one to submit to the Church. Ignoring Holy Mother Church on this matter is not a good start. A life of holiness and dedication on your part will allow you to be a channel of grace to your friend and bring him to his senses.

God bless