Sacrifice or Holy Communion?

[DrCat]

Crusader:

Quote:

That’s axiomatic, but that’s not what I asked. Re-read #1 and try again.

Crusader:

What is more important for each Catholic to experience?

To be present at the re-presenation of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ to His Father for the propitiation of our endless stream of sins at the Mass, -OR- consuming **His Body, Blood, Soul **and Divinity?

Put another way, for example, would it be preferable to receive Holy Communion at a communion service where His ultimate sacrifice is not re-presentated, -OR- would it be preferable to attend the Mass where His Sacrifice is re-presented, but not receive Holy Communion because you absent-mindedly consumed a glass of milk before heading off to church?

OK. I see I didn’t really analyze the question/situation adequately before answering. Your situation (as presented above) has the implication that it is a weekday. Attending Mass on Sundays and other Holy Days of Obligation is obligatory while receiving Holy Communion is not (except for once a year). This means there are few Sunday/HDOs in which I would have to choose between one or the other. (In fact, I personally recall only 2 times in the past 20 years that I have seen a communion service (instead of a Mass) offered on Sundays, and both were last minute emergencies.)

On the other hand, it is common (where I live, anyway) to have both communion services (or what is commonly called paraliturgias in this neck of the woods) and the Sacrifice of the Mass occurring at the same time in different chapels and in the parish church.

I would still attend Mass instead of a communion service since I would then be participating in the re-presentation of Christ’s sacrifice. This is/was the defining moment in history, and to be present outweighs even receiving Him in the Eucharist.

At the same time, although (given the situation you described) I would be unable to physically receive Holy Communion, there is still the “silver” crown of receiving Him in Spiritual Communion.

Therefore, for me (understanding the “each” in the above question means each individual who answers this question), it is more important to be present at (participate in) the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

John

 

[tee_eff_em]

Having re-read the exchange, I’m still not sure what the OP is driving at? The question is surely poorly formulated? Or there are surely 2 questions in the OP?

Crusader:

What is more important for each Catholic to experience?

To be present at the re-presenation of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ to His Father for the propitiation of our endless stream of sins at the Mass, -OR- consuming **His Body, Blood, Soul **and Divinity?

The answer to this question is that it is more important for each Catholic to consume **His Body, Blood, Soul **and Divinity by making their First Holy Communion, or for a child in danger of death to receive viaticum. For it is by this sacrament together with Baptism and Confirmation that we are made full members of the Church.

Put another way, for example, would it be preferable to receive Holy Communion at a communion service where His ultimate sacrifice is not re-presentated, -OR- would it be preferable to attend the Mass where His Sacrifice is re-presented, but not receive Holy Communion because you absent-mindedly consumed a glass of milk before heading off to church?

This is not “put another way”, this is a different question. The answer to which remains mostly as pnewton had said above.

However, as good practicing Catholics, we are obligated both to assist at Mass on Sundays and other Holy Days, and to receive the Eucharist at least once per year. The OP poses a false dichotomy – As Catholics we must do both.

Talk about a difficult hypothetical…

The difficult part is knowing which question you want to have answered.

 

[Crusader]

DrCat:

OK. I see I didn’t really analyze the question/situation adequately before answering. Your situation (as presented above) has the implication that it is a weekday. Attending Mass on Sundays and other Holy Days of Obligation is obligatory while receiving Holy Communion is not (except for once a year). This means there are few Sunday/HDOs in which I would have to choose between one or the other. (In fact, I personally recall only 2 times in the past 20 years that I have seen a communion service (instead of a Mass) offered on Sundays, and both were last minute emergencies.)

There is no implication that it is a weekday. I’m not even sure what you are talking about with the rest of your above comment.

Re-read the question or simply forget it.

DrCat:

On the other hand, it is common (where I live, anyway) to have both communion services (or what is commonly called paraliturgias in this neck of the woods) and the Sacrifice of the Mass occurring at the same time in different chapels and in the parish church.

So? That was not part of the question I asked.

DrCat:

I would still attend Mass instead of a communion service since I would then be participating in the re-presentation of Christ’s sacrifice. This is/was the defining moment in history, and to be present outweighs even receiving Him in the Eucharist.

BOOM! You finally answered the question. Excellent.

DrCat:

At the same time, although (given the situation you described) I would be unable to physically receive Holy Communion, there is still the “silver” crown of receiving Him in Spiritual Communion.

No question there.

DrCat:

Therefore, for me (understanding the “each” in the above question means each individual who answers this question), it is more important to be present at (participate in) the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

John

Fair enough.

 

[Crusader]

tee_eff_em:

Having re-read the exchange, I’m still not sure what the OP is driving at? The question is surely poorly formulated? Or there are surely 2 questions in the OP?

The answer to this question is that it is more important for each Catholic to consume **His Body, Blood, Soul **and Divinity by making their First Holy Communion, or for a child in danger of death to receive viaticum. For it is by this sacrament together with Baptism and Confirmation that we are made full members of the Church.

This is not “put another way”, this is a different question. The answer to which remains mostly as pnewton had said above.

However, as good practicing Catholics, we are obligated both to assist at Mass on Sundays and other Holy Days, and to receive the Eucharist at least once per year. The OP poses a false dichotomy – As Catholics we must do both.

The difficult part is knowing which question you want to have answered.

Same question.

 

[tee_eff_em]

Crusader:

Same question.

Which? I maintain that you posted two different questions, claiming it was the same-question-put-another-way.

In any case, I answered both. The answer to the original question is that it is more important to receive the Eucharist; The answer to the second question is that it is more important to assist at Mass.

 

[Crusader]

tee_eff_em:

Which? I maintain that you posted two different questions, claiming it was the same-question-put-another-way.

In any case, I answered both. The answer to the original question is that it is more important to receive the Eucharist; The answer to the second question is that it is more important to assist at Mass.

I proferred just one question. One answer will do, thanks.