The Eucharist & Scandal

[FrDavid96]

I don’t think confirming a wife’s suspicions would be an example of giving scandal. Even if it were, the husband would have to be truly repentant before he could receive communion. With a wife that would say that, he would probably feel justified rather than repentant.

Please keep in mind that I’m trying to imagine some kind of scenario in which this might apply. My examples are not meant to be “realistic” but more “hypothetical” just to make the point that it might (stress might) be possible. I think it would be very easy for us to get caught up in discussing the details of such hypothetical scenarios that we get distracted from the real discussion.

In the seminary, we used to have what we called the “Gilligan’s Island” scenarios. These helped us to understand canon law. Thoughts like “how long do they have to be marrooned on the island before they could have a sacramental marriage without a priest?” simply allowed us to better understand the principle because we could see it more concretely. They weren’t “realistic” of course. That’s what I’m trying to provide here with a few examples. Not realism, but some imaganary scenarios to help understand the principle.

PS–the “scandal” part would come into play because it might lead the wife to sin, by her knowlege of the infidelity, and could cause harm to the children. Now, lest anyone think that I’m advocating marital infidelity by implying that the cheating husband should be “allowed” to keep his secret, please read the previous paragraph. It’s just an extreme hypothetical example. Let’s not make too much of these.

 

[Victorious]

I read in a book that a person may give scandal when s/he remains in the pew during the distribution of Holy Communion, and when this happens, s/he should make an Act of Contrition and then receive, with the intention of going to confession as soon as possible. In what circumstances would NOT receiving be a scandal? And what if one is not ready to make an Act of Contrition?

What we ought to do is mind our own beeswax, and not pass judgment on those who do not receive Communion. There are many legitimate reasons for not receiving. If you refrain from receiving for a legitimate reason, then it seems to me you shouldn’t worry about what other people think. We’re bound in charity not to put the worst construction on people’s actions without sufficient evidence – something we’re not very good at (and I put myself into that category too).

That said, a return to a stricter fast (like, say, three hours instead of one hour) would provide a good cover for anybody who must abstain. It might also help restore some of the lost reverence for the Sacrament.

 

[benedictgal]

Hm, well in other parts of the book, it does say that we cannot receive the Eucharist when not in the proper condition to do so. But it said that if one feels embarrassed about staying in the pew, then they can receive a blessing in the communion line instead (something I don’t agree with).

I think this may have been a mistake by forgetting to note that this would be a rare case. But, I haven’t been able to come up with a situation in which a person would be causing scandal.

The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Disicpline of the Sacraments has already said that, for the time being, blessings in lieu of receiving Holy Communion should not be taking place. In fact, the letter listed five observations as to why this should not be done. So, that is not even an option.

If one is conscious about having committed a mortal sin, then, it is his duty not to present himself to receive Holy Communion. Like PacoG said, there are a plethora of reasons as to why people do not receive. Breaking the 1-hour fast is one such occasion. Another one involves being in a state that would not allow you to receive. Let me explain. My late paternal grandma refrained from receiving Holy Communion for nearly 40 years because she was divorced and in an invalid marriage. It was only after her first marriage (to my grandpa) had been annulled that she and my stepgrandfather were finally able to present themselves before the priest to receive Holy Communion.