praying with non-Catholics

[Eric_Hyom]

Greetings and peace be with you all,

When I go into an Anglican Church I see people coming to Christ in ways that the Catholic Church is not able to bring people to Christ. When I go into a Baptist Church I see people coming to Christ in ways that Anglicans are not able to bring people to Christ.

I believe in one body with many parts, and I see the wonderful works done in the name of Christ in each of the churches that I have had the privilege to pray in.

The people I support with a learning disability are vulnerable people, and yet they are welcomed and helped to become part of that church life and community. I see the wonderful ways the churches support good causes joyfully, I see the seeds that are being sown of small numbers of people from each of the churches praying together in shared services.

I look back in history and see how privileged I am to be able to pray with other Christians freely today. Just five miles from where I live Christians were killing each other in a major battle in a war that lasted a centaury.

It seems that beliefs can be used to justify anything from killing each other, to a cold hostility between denominations, and to pray together building bridges.

Mankind is supremely clever in making computers, putting people in space, curing diseases. But when it comes to getting on with each other we seem almost stupid.

All the law and the prophets hang on the two greatest commandments, how does separation of communion hang on the greatest commandments?

In the spirit of growing together in Christ

Eric

 

[hermitcrab]

Amen, amen and amen…

Greetings and peace be with you all,

When I go into an Anglican Church I see people coming to Christ in ways that the Catholic Church is not able to bring people to Christ. When I go into a Baptist Church I see people coming to Christ in ways that Anglicans are not able to bring people to Christ.

I believe in one body with many parts, and I see the wonderful works done in the name of Christ in each of the churches that I have had the privilege to pray in.

The people I support with a learning disability are vulnerable people, and yet they are welcomed and helped to become part of that church life and community. I see the wonderful ways the churches support good causes joyfully, I see the seeds that are being sown of small numbers of people from each of the churches praying together in shared services.

I look back in history and see how privileged I am to be able to pray with other Christians freely today. Just five miles from where I live Christians were killing each other in a major battle in a war that lasted a centaury.

It seems that beliefs can be used to justify anything from killing each other, to a cold hostility between denominations, and to pray together building bridges.

Mankind is supremely clever in making computers, putting people in space, curing diseases. But when it comes to getting on with each other we seem almost stupid.

All the law and the prophets hang on the two greatest commandments, how does separation of communion hang on the greatest commandments?

In the spirit of growing together in Christ

Eric

 

[O.S.Luke]

Thanks O. for the message.

Before I give an answer, I just want to reiterate a fact: from the beginning, Baptism did not guarantee Communion. Baptism does not guarantee Communion. It’s as simple as that. That is the correct understanding. This is how the Church has always been since the apostolic age. That fact is a sufficient answer.

No argument. But re-read my earlier post (emphasis mine also):

O.S.Luke:

Can one “guarantee”, or even have the power to refuse, Christ, if one comes with repentence and forgiveness?

That is a very important “if.” I don’t believe in sacramental promiscuity, ctos.

I don’t want to take the time to hunt down the relevant information, because my point is proven already: The Church has never considered Baptism as a guarantee of receiving Communion.

If that was your point, I don’t think we’re communicating. If the baptized come with repentance, I don’t see how we can refuse them Christ. To deny the sustaining sacrament of Eucharist to those who have been (a) given the initiating sacrament of Baptism, and (b) come to the Table with repentence and contrition, is sacramentally, theologically, and liturgically wrong.

 

[O.S.Luke]

Was it something I said…

O+

 

[Kitty_Chan]

Greetings and peace be with you all,

When I go into an Anglican Church I see people coming to Christ in ways that the Catholic Church is not able to bring people to Christ. When I go into a Baptist Church I see people coming to Christ in ways that Anglicans are not able to bring people to Christ.

I believe in one body with many parts, and I see the wonderful works done in the name of Christ in each of the churches that I have had the privilege to pray in.

The people I support with a learning disability are vulnerable people, and yet they are welcomed and helped to become part of that church life and community. I see the wonderful ways the churches support good causes joyfully, I see the seeds that are being sown of small numbers of people from each of the churches praying together in shared services.

I look back in history and see how privileged I am to be able to pray with other Christians freely today. Just five miles from where I live Christians were killing each other in a major battle in a war that lasted a centaury.

It seems that beliefs can be used to justify anything from killing each other, to a cold hostility between denominations, and to pray together building bridges.

Mankind is supremely clever in making computers, putting people in space, curing diseases. But when it comes to getting on with each other we seem almost stupid.

All the law and the prophets hang on the two greatest commandments, how does separation of communion hang on the greatest commandments?

In the spirit of growing together in Christ

Eric

Hi Im happy with what you are saying it gives me hope! Maybe you being catholic can explain, I have asked before, what is the difference between this actually being the body and the body being remembered? I cannot see why its important, this specific thing.

I have not taken communion at times, because I didnt feel I should. But this whole is it the actual flesh and blood thing is strange. Because if one asks a non church person they would say Baptists are drinking blood!

 

[Eric_Hyom]

Greetings and peace be with you Kitty Chan;

Hi Im happy with what you are saying it gives me hope! Maybe you being catholic can explain, I have asked before, what is the difference between this actually being the body and the body being remembered? I cannot see why its important, this specific thing.

I am a Catholic and the question of sharing communion with Christians of other denominations troubles me. In the eyes of the church I may well be committing spiritual suicide by sharing communion with non- Catholics.

But what does Christ do, how does he make himself present when two or three, Catholics or Anglicans or Baptists gather together in his name? How is he really present in each of these different churches?

Communion should be the greatest thing that brings Christians together in community and sharing, but somehow sharing communion with fellow Christians is a cause for division.

I wonder how we support the one body of Christ with our apparent lack of love for each other?

I would ask forgiveness if I have offended anyone by my beliefs on fellowship.

In the spirit of praying for a greater friendship between Christians.

Eric

 

[Abira]

I am a Catholic and the question of sharing communion with Christians of other denominations troubles me. In the eyes of the church I may well be committing spiritual suicide by sharing communion with non- Catholics…

Communion should be the greatest thing that brings Christians together in community and sharing, but somehow sharing communion with fellow Christians is a cause for division.

I wonder how we support the one body of Christ with our apparent lack of love for each other?

lol it’s as if that post was written by two separate people… one who does not agree with fellowship and one who hopes for it.

In terms of prayer, though, how do you feel? This last post was with reference to communion…not just to prayer.

Also…just out of interest, how can you hope for fellowship when you yourself are troubled by sharing communion with other denominations? would it help to take communion out of the equation and find some common ground to focus on instead of the ‘real presence’ issue?

S

 

[Kitty_Chan]

would it help to take communion out of the equation and find some common ground to focus on instead of the ‘real presence’ issue?

S

Eric thanks for the response, although Im not catholic I can understand a reservation for the communion on a catholics part. I do find hope in your wanting all believers to partake the same. One day I know we will, God will straighten us all out yet Hes pretty good at struborn sheep

btw for the sake of background, I didnt do communion for quite a while as I took it pretty seriously, but finally did. In my friends catholic church if I remember right I took the wafer (Host)? but no wine. She said it was ok.

And Abria from what I see the real pressense “issue” is dividing. Thats why I asked what I did. I wish I could get a answer but I dont think anyone actually knows, which is a shame, given the dividing nature of it.

Does anyone know?

 

[Eric_Hyom]

Greetings and peace be with you Abira;

Sorry my post wasn’t very clear and I will try and explain why I feel troubled about sharing communion with Christians from other denominations.

I strive to find a relationship with God and my neighbours through the Catholic faith, but I have to confess to being a pick and mix Catholic. In a way the Catholic Church is not enough and I seem to have a greater need to pray with other Christians at least once a month when possible.

I find it a great joy praying with non- Catholics and on occasions sharing communion with them. The part that troubles me is that my actions seem to be against the teachings of the Catholic Church, but I seem drawn towards this path.

would it help to take communion out of the equation and find some common ground to focus on instead of the ‘real presence’ issue?

I fully believe in one God the creator of all that is seen and unseen, regardless of what we choose to believe the same God created each and every one of us in a loving and just way. We cannot escape the fact that the same God hears the prayers of Muslims, Christians, Sikh and Hindu.

Whilst we can find common ground with non Christians in justice and peace and doing good works, I believe we can find a greater communion between Christians. Somehow I believe we should strive towards the greatest relationship with all people.

In the spirit of growing together in Christ

Eric

 

[Eric_Hyom]

Greetings and peace be with you Kitty Chan;

from what I see the real pressense “issue” is dividing. Thats why I asked what I did. I wish I could get a answer but I dont think anyone actually knows, which is a shame, given the dividing nature of it.

I am sorry that I cannot give you an answer, we have all these beliefs about the presence of Christ in communion, but what does Christ do? Does Christ juggle about to suit all our varied beliefs in each church? Or does it make more sense that Christ is Christ and he does not change for each of our varied beliefs.

Christ is present when two or three are gathered in his name. Christ died for me and for all people. I cannot believe that Christ died for his body and blood to be different in each church.

Somehow all the church laws regarding praying together and sharing communion must hang and depend on the two greatest commandments, but who can we call our neighbour in prayer and sharing communion?

I do not ask that anyone else should believe as I do.

In the spirit of growing together in Christ.

Eric

 

[ctos]

padre Pio also gave communion to all Christian traditions and in one recorded case to a non-Christian.

Many Franciscan Friars do the same.

I now have the Ruffin bio on hand. Can you indicate the pages I should consult? Do you recall where it was? The chapter headings aren’t very informative.

Here is one item I turned right to by chance:

Although the padre’s attitude to expressions of Christianity other than Roman Catholicism was surprisingly ecumenical for a man of his time and place…"

By the way this book is published by Our Sunday Visitor, and has no Imprimatur.

 

[kellyann]

I have prayed with non catholics before and I thought it was different but it was intresting at the same time.

 

[jmm08]

Since I’m a convert (RCIA finished two years ago), I previously prayed regularly with non-Catholics. That hasn’t changed a bit.

The biggest difference is that now I pray more. And often by myself.