Must we recieve Communion at Mass?

[fulbert4605]

Proper disposition is an important one. As to the argument with spouse scenario used in previous posts, it depends how fresh the argument is, how much it is still weighing on your mind at the time of Mass.

I’d venture to say proper disposition doesn’t necessarily have to do with the venial sins, either. There’s a concentration factor involved. What if you got only a few hours (and couldn’t reasonably help that you only got a few hours) of sleep last night and can’t concentrate during Mass presently?

This proper disposition must be determined from within by yourself as frankly as possible since each case is different. I absolutely understand being in a state of grace, being at a Mass, but not receiving Communion due to improper disposition.

 

[MarineGuy]

Why would anyone in a state of grace not receive? That is an insult to God. I’m tired of the legalism of this is when you have to go to confession…this is when you have to receive.

How do you feel when you invite you children to dinner and they say…I don’t feel like eating. I don’t need your nourishment.

Get a grip on this legalistic BULL!

Wow, what a strong opinion you’ve formed of Catholics who choose not to receive Communion at every Mass! Even though you don’t know and couldn’t possibly know why someone would feel they should not receive Communion. Proper disposal to receive Holy Communion is more than about just being in a “state of grace” and fasting. It involves reflection and preparation and being in a prayerful state of mind.

Your example is faulty because it implies that the Eucharist is just a meal or “family dinner”–a false, Protestant concept of the sacrament. The Eucharist is much, much more than a meal…In fact its attitudes like yours that are part of the reason almost everyone goes to Communion at Mass nowadays, even though the majority of Catholics these days don’t even have a proper understanding of the Real Presence, or even the necessity of being in a state of grace to receive. (I venture to guess that a lot of Catholics at Sunday Mass haven’t been to confession in years and don’t feel the need to go, aren’t familiar with the term or concept of being in a “state of grace”, but will still be up there in line for Communion while the Body of Christ is being passed out in their hands like poker chips by a squadron of lay “ministers”…)

Forty or fifty years ago (we all know what momentous event in the Church happened since then ), most Catholics did not receive Communion every time they went to Mass–yet Mass attendance (Sunday AND Daily) was far higher and confession lines were longer. Your comparison of the Sacrament of the Altar to a “family dinner” is the kind of attitude which has caused a loss of faith and understanding of the Eucharist amongst Catholics and is the reason it is received so casually today. The Eucharist is not to be received casually but with great fear, reverence (inward and outward), anticipation, prayer, etc.

P.S. If anyone took the time to read the original post we are all talking about, the man wrote that his wife is not Catholic and will not be Catholic until Easter…In this case she must NOT receive Communion anymore and cannot receive until she is Catholic.

 

[ProVobis]

Of course not, and that’s reducing the discussion to the absurd. The question is about receiving when you have the chance. In your example, you didn’t have the chance.

Okay, let’s turn it around. The statistics for those who receive and who don’t believe in the Real Presence are supposedly anywhere from 33% to 67%. I don’t think anyone disputes that. So what are the reasons that the non-believers receive? They just follow everyone else? Someone told them they must go? Are they superstitious? Do they want to be on television or youtube? Are they making a political statement? Or…?

Are these valid reasons for receiving something you don’t believe in? Aren’t you making the situation worse for yourself by doing so as a Catholic? Or are you even Catholic for not believing in the Real Presence?

 

[ProVobis]

I don’t know…if it is a mortal sin, then of course not. But the teaching of the Church is clear-The Eucharist wipes away venial sins.

If you’re absolutely sure they are venial sins and no restitution is required on your part. Of course an act of contrition or the priest’s absolution before communion (this is done in the EF) will absolve you as well.

 

[Pakesh]

I hope that there is nothing but good things going on in my soul. I am going to try to be the most faithful Catholic that I can be…I am already trying this, but I won’t be ‘officially’ catholic until April 3.

1389 The Church obliges the faithful to take part in the Divine Liturgy on Sundays and feast days and, prepared by the sacrament of Reconciliation, to receive the Eucharist at least once a year, if possible during the Easter season.

After studying the catechism, I was trying to live by it, and I just took it wrong that I would be insulting our Lord if I did not receive communion at every Mass in the state of grace, when the catechism was clear that we only had to receive once a year.

After I read your response, I felt horrible! I owe you a heartfelt apology. It is not my place to be judgmental and to assume what is in your heart or make any claims on your own spiritual life. I am very sorry. Please forgive me.

I feel like I am just going in circles on this thread, so this will most likely be my last post on this particular thread.

To sum up: I don’t really know if it’s an “insult” to Jesus or not. I also don’t think it’s a sin outright not to receive when you’re in a state of Grace. For me, personally, I just had a hard time understanding where you were coming from with this question. I think you could discuss it with a Priest at the Parish you are entering, or privately with your RCIA teacher. Again, I’m sorry-I shouldn’t have made any claims or assumptions on your spiritual state or life. My prayers are with you on your journey. Congratulations and Welcome Home
p.s. Please remember me in your prayers too.
God Bless,
Pakesh

 

[dnar]

After I read your response, I felt horrible! I owe you a heartfelt apology. It is not my place to be judgmental and to assume what is in your heart or make any claims on your own spiritual life. I am very sorry. Please forgive me.

I feel like I am just going in circles on this thread, so this will most likely be my last post on this particular thread.

To sum up: I don’t really know if it’s an “insult” to Jesus or not. I also don’t think it’s a sin outright not to receive when you’re in a state of Grace. For me, personally, I just had a hard time understanding where you were coming from with this question. I think you could discuss it with a Priest at the Parish you are entering, or privately with your RCIA teacher. Again, I’m sorry-I shouldn’t have made any claims or assumptions on your spiritual state or life. My prayers are with you on your journey. Congratulations and Welcome Home
p.s. Please remember me in your prayers too.
God Bless,
Pakesh

No reason to be sorry. I understand what you are saying. If one is in a state of grace why wouldn’t you want to receive the Body of Christ is a good question…I just didn’t want to insult the Lord if I didn’t is all…based on the catechism I wasn’t.