Was it wrong for me to take communion?

[Sublime_Prince]

Everything I hear so far for why a non-catholic can’t take communion is because they don’t believe in the Eucharist and catholic teachings.

However this is putting all non-catholics in a box and thats unfair. I am not catholic but I do believe in the Eucharist, that it is the blood and body of Christ. I do believe in almost all the catholic teachings. I am just not Catholic. I am not sure yet what denomination I want to Join.

 

[Mannyfit75]

Ok I am really confused. I visited my mom’s church twice that is catholic. The first time I did not take commmunion because I thought non-catholics were not allowed to do that. My mom told me their catholic church is very liberal on that and it was ok for me to do that she really wanted me the last time I went and didn’t. So I did and I think it made her feel better.

From my understand non-catholics can’t partake in communion because the majority don’t believe in the eucharist. However I do believe the bread and wine are the body and blood of christ. And from what I read online the catholic church seemed to say the reason why only catholics can partake in communion is because non-catholics don’t believe in the eucharist. However if I am a non-catholic and believe I am recieving the blood and body of Christ then it therefore must be ok?

then become Catholic so you can received Jesus properly. If you so believe in the Real Presence, you should sign up for RCIA.

 

[coyotekate77]

. I do believe in almost all the catholic teachings. I am just not Catholic. I am not sure yet what denomination I want to Join.

Respectfully, we Catholics are not ‘putting all nonCatholics in a box.’

If (as I hope you will) you come to believe wholeheartedly in the Catholic faith and all its teachings, you will be welcome to receive communion when you are in a state of grace (meaning, if you are conscious of grave sin, you go to confession and are absolved BEFORE you receive communion).

After all, communion literally means, “with union”.

If, however, there is a point, or a couple of points, that you just cannot accept. . . again, respectfully, no matter how ‘close’ you come, you simply are not in full communion. (and no, it is not ‘fair’ that some who are baptized Catholics may believe ‘less’ than you do and ‘get to receive.’ However, just because they choose to defy Church teaching–and thus take the Body and Blood unworthily–does not mean that two wrongs would make a right. They will be responsible for their grave sin. Actions have consequences and in the end, you can rest assured that no matter how you might long for what you ‘can’t have’ unless you are fully Catholic, your longing and ‘suffering’ will not only bring you great joy in eternal life when your OBEDIENCE and humility in this life will bring you great reward, while their 'DISOBEDIENCE, pride, and sin will bring them anguish and perhaps even damnation. )

Please pray for the grace to accept Catholicism fully and to join with us. My prayers are with you and may God guide you now and always.

 

[Sublime_Prince]

Please tell me where in the bible it says in the bible you must believe in every single “catholic” teaching and must be a catholic to recieve the blood and body of christ?

Most catholics I know do not believe 100% with everything the church teaches either yet they take communion and no one says anything because they are catholic. I probably agree more with catholic teachings then some catholics I know, but I just prefer to be a free agent and not married to any particular denomination at this point in my life. I prefer to visit many denominations and see what they have to offer.

For years I just celebrated sunday at home and had my own prayer at home and did bible studies on my own or with friends, why do I need to be married to a church?

Unfortunately most priests in the catholic church do not give lengthy sermon with a lot of meat and less filling, so I feel I get more bible study time in at other denominations. Some priests just make really lousy public speakers and drone on and on causing half the church to fall asleep. I like attending a church where the minister/priest is a great public speaker and can deliver a sermon that I will learn a great deal from.

 

[SIA]

I don’t agree that the Catholic church made this a complicated mess. All are invited to become Catholic Christians and received the sacraments of the Catholic church. All Catholics may receive communion if they are in the state of grace. The confusion came because followers of people who have separated from the Catholic church want to receive the Catholic sacraments. The Church says no. Not because they are unworthy. Simply because you need to belong to the Church to receive the sacraments of the Church.

Talking about the unworthiness of the apostles isn’t relevant to the issue.

Why the complications though? That is the question. I couldn’t care less if the RCC feels that I am unworthy to receive communion. It is really between Jesus and myself, not the RCC.

 

[SIA]

then become Catholic so you can received Jesus properly. If you so believe in the Real Presence, you should sign up for RCIA.

You don’t have to be Catholic to believe in the Real Presence and receive it.

 

[thirdn6]

You don’t have to be Catholic to believe in the Real Presence and receive it.

Only the Catholic Church has the valid Eucharist. If She “feels” that you are not worthy (I’m just using your words), then MAKE YOURSELF WORTHY! Period. No ifs, no buts. The sacrament of Reconciliation is always there for you. Ask for mercy and grace. You know the drill…
The Lamb of God is always present in the Holy Eucharist. Either RECEIVE HIM or LEAVE HIM!

 

[SenorSalsa]

Please tell me where in the bible it says in the bible you must believe in every single “catholic” teaching and must be a catholic to recieve the blood and body of christ?

Most catholics I know do not believe 100% with everything the church teaches either yet they take communion and no one says anything because they are catholic. I probably agree more with catholic teachings then some catholics I know, but I just prefer to be a free agent and not married to any particular denomination at this point in my life. I prefer to visit many denominations and see what they have to offer.

Well, all Catholics should be aware of the basics through the Creed. Past that, no most people do not know all the Church Teachings. What is important is they dont knowingly disagree.
I would say the most important would be "I believe in ONE, HOLY, CATHOLIC and APOSTOLIC Church.

For years I just celebrated sunday at home and had my own prayer at home and did bible studies on my own or with friends, why do I need to be married to a church?

because we believe there is only one true Church, and the others are at best only in schism. At worst, teaching heresy

Unfortunately most priests in the catholic church do not give lengthy sermon with a lot of meat and less filling, so I feel I get more bible study time in at other denominations. Some priests just make really lousy public speakers and drone on and on causing half the church to fall asleep. I like attending a church where the minister/priest is a great public speaker and can deliver a sermon that I will learn a great deal from.

I often think about this when I hear an especially flat Homily, but then I always think, at the Baptist Church, that is the Summit of the Service. At a Catholic Mass, it is but a side note compared to the Sacrifice of the Altar

 

[chris_molter]

You don’t have to be Catholic to believe in the Real Presence and receive it.

True. You can also be Eastern Orthodox or Oriental Orthodox

In any case, Catholic Eucharistic theology includes more than just the vague belief in “Real Presence” which can be used to mean anything from Transubstantiation to Memorialism.

(I certainly don’t mean to imply your belief or any particular Anglican’s belief is vague, just that the teaching is intentionally so.)

 

[chris_molter]

Unfortunately most priests in the catholic church do not give lengthy sermon with a lot of meat and less filling, so I feel I get more bible study time in at other denominations. Some priests just make really lousy public speakers and drone on and on causing half the church to fall asleep. I like attending a church where the minister/priest is a great public speaker and can deliver a sermon that I will learn a great deal from.

Oh man, tell me about it

On the other hand, you’re approaching this like a Protestant and not a Catholic. For Catholics, the Mass is all about the Eucharist. That’s the source and summit of our lives in the Church. The homily (not a sermon) is meant only to expand *briefly *on the scripture of the day, not like the sermons I was used to before coming into the Catholic Church. So instruction in the faith or catechesis is generally not one of the things that happen at Mass. That sort of thing is reserved for activities outside Mass.

It’s not as though there isn’t Bible study or catechesis going on, it’s just not in the same context.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Please tell me where in the bible it says in the bible you must believe in every single “catholic” teaching and must be a catholic to recieve the blood and body of christ?

In order to receive communion in the Catholic Church, you need to be in communion with the Catholic Church.

During the Eucharistic prayer you will hear that we pray in union with Benedict, our Pope, and , our bishop. At the end of that prayer we say “amen” meaning we believe and affirm what has been said by the priest. When we come forward for communion, we are publicly showing that we believe what was said during that prayer. We believe that the bread and wine has become the Body and Blood of Christ, and we believe that we are one church united with our leaders.

If we invited a non-Catholic to do that, we would be asking him to lie. He’s not in union with the Pope, with the local bishop, or with the Church.

And yes, that IS in the Bible. Check out the commandment against bearing false witness.

 

[japhy]

Please tell me where in the bible it says in the bible you must believe in every single “catholic” teaching and must be a catholic to recieve the blood and body of christ?

What does the Bible say about what must be necessary to receive Communion? Not a great deal… John 6 and 1 Cor 10-11 are the core. But I suppose the Bible doesn’t say anything about whether or not we can feed Holy Communion to animals…

…

why do I need to be married to a church?

How many churches did Jesus start? How many Brides of the Lamb are there?

Unfortunately most priests in the catholic church do not give lengthy sermon with a lot of meat and less filling, so I feel I get more bible study time in at other denominations. Some priests just make really lousy public speakers and drone on and on causing half the church to fall asleep. I like attending a church where the minister/priest is a great public speaker and can deliver a sermon that I will learn a great deal from.

Sadly, many priests are not good at giving homilies. They need to be trained better, for sure! But Mass is not a “bible study”. It is worship of God through the offering of the sacrifice of the Eucharist; sanctification of men comes second to the perfect worship of God.

 

[MsOKing]

Let me ask you this question:

If we could see Jesus today, and he is standing beside the priest and offering himself to the crowd, would he refuse anyone that came to him?

Would he say, "sorry, you haven’t been to confession!, Sorry, I can see that you lied to your spouce, sorry I can see that you have not forgiven your neighbor, sorry I can see you use birth control, sorry I know you don’t agree with everything the CC teaches…sorry…sorry…

I do not think Jesus would have refused anyone who came to him in his day, except for maybe the Pharisees who were so busy pointing out everyone else’s sin, and even then, maybe he wouldn’t exclude them.

IMO, we are never “worthy” enough…we have sinned and will continue to sin. I think anyone who loves Jesus, and stands in line to receive communion, would, most likely be humble of heart, ever so thankful of his gift and ask forgiveness, regardless of their denomination.

I do not think Jesus would have denied anyone.

 

[nsper7]

I don’t agree that the Catholic church made this a complicated mess. All are invited to become Catholic Christians and received the sacraments of the Catholic church. All Catholics may receive communion if they are in the state of grace. The confusion came because followers of people who have separated from the Catholic church want to receive the Catholic sacraments. The Church says no. Not because they are unworthy. Simply because you need to belong to the Church to receive the sacraments of the Church.

Talking about the unworthiness of the apostles isn’t relevant to the issue.

But Roman Catholics would say one ‘automatically’ becomes Roman Catholic at Baptism (as long as it is with water, the Trinitarian formula and intent to Baptize), even if the the Baptized individual claims to be of another “denomination”. I used to think RC Confirmation was required beforehand, but doesn’t First Communion occur before Confirmation?

 

[japhy]

If we could see Jesus today, and he is standing beside the priest and offering himself to the crowd, would he refuse anyone that came to him?

Can you give us Jesus’s word on that? St. Paul wrote “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. Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself.” (1 Cor 11:27-29)

The Church, in Her authority, interprets that one way. You, it seems, interpret it another.

I think anyone who loves Jesus, and stands in line to receive communion, would, most likely be humble of heart, ever so thankful of his gift and ask forgiveness, regardless of their denomination.

Muslims love Jesus… should they receive Communion? How about atheists who think Jesus was a great person (although a bit misunderstood)?

What is Holy Communion for? It’s not just a piece of bread and a sip of wine… it’s not even just the Precious Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of our Lord and God… it’s a covenant meal. You must be in covenant with God to share in it.

 

[elvisman]

Let me ask you this question:

If we could see Jesus today, and he is standing beside the priest and offering himself to the crowd, would he refuse anyone that came to him?

Would he say, "sorry, you haven’t been to confession!, Sorry, I can see that you lied to your spouce, sorry I can see that you have not forgiven your neighbor, sorry I can see you use birth control, sorry I know you don’t agree with everything the CC teaches…sorry…sorry…

I do not think Jesus would have refused anyone who came to him in his day, except for maybe the Pharisees who were so busy pointing out everyone else’s sin, and even then, maybe he wouldn’t exclude them.

IMO, we are never “worthy” enough…we have sinned and will continue to sin. I think anyone who loves Jesus, and stands in line to receive communion, would, most likely be humble of heart, ever so thankful of his gift and ask forgiveness, regardless of their denomination.

I do not think Jesus would have denied anyone.

Whenever I hear somebody say, “I think” or, “I feel” or “I don’t think” in regards to Jesus - it’s usually a dead giveaway that they don’t have a clue as to what Jesus said or preached.

 

[coyotekate77]

With due respect, Ms.O’King: I’m sure you’re a lovely person and you love God. But (respectfully) you have absolutely no authority to tell me, a Catholic, that my Church’s teachings are not as ‘authoritative’ as your ‘impression’ of how you think Christ would act.

As a Catholic, I respect the authority of my Church and that its interpretation of the Word of God requires that those who seek to receive communion actually ‘be’ in communion with the Church, not conscious of grave sin (properly disposed), baptized Catholics (save in certain extremely specific situations which would be for the priest or bishop to determine, not me).

As I trust in my Church, I trust that its authority is God-given and that while the ‘appearance’ to mere human eyes may not seem as ‘open’ as you ‘think’ it should be, it is in fact, as God-given, not only perfectly just but perfectly fair.

Remember, we are not talking of mere bread and wine, ‘symbolic’ of Christ’s sacrifice. We are talking the actual Body and Blood of Christ.

If --as a nonCatholic–you not only do not accept that this is what the Catholic Eucharist is, but you also do not accept certain other teachings of the Catholic Church as truth. . .why then would you insist on ‘taking’ something that you do not accept as being what Catholics say it is, claiming falsely that even though you do not believe Catholic teaching, you still are ‘in union’ with the Church in taking the Eucharist?

What you espouse basically is that, if the Eucharist is the life-giving ‘bread’ we claim, that it should be available to anybody who ‘wants’ it, because they are ‘entitled’ to ‘have’ it, whether or not they agree with the Church. That is actually a very arrogant view that seeks to be ‘entitled’ to all the ‘benefits’ of the Eucharist without having any of the responsibilities of being ‘in communion’ with the Catholic Church. . .which, most importantly, is actually ‘coequal’ with Christ Himself, since the Church is the Bride of Christ and in that relationship, Christ and His Church are thus One Body.

So you want nonCatholics or Catholics in sin etc. to ‘have’ that Body of Christ while not being of that Body, even rejecting that Body through sin and through refusal to ‘belong’ --in essence, dividing the body against itself. . .and you think that’s fair? Forgive me, but I find it a grossly unfair tactic couched in terms meant to ‘shame and guilt’ Catholics into giving in and giving UP their faith just to ‘satisfy’ the whims of those who want only what they want without having to actually ‘do’ anything for it.

 

[MsOKing]

Forgive me, but I find it a grossly unfair tactic couched in terms meant to ‘shame and guilt’ Catholics into giving in and giving UP their faith just to ‘satisfy’ the whims of those who want only what they want without having to actually ‘do’ anything for it.

I do not expect the CC to do anything contrary to their beliefs…and I am certainly most respectful in that. I am only stating my viewpoint, my thoughts, doubts that arise from time to time. While I may have some tone to my posts, I do not disrespect the CC.

I have lots of doubts, lots of questions, but many of them I would never post here. I take them to the priest I am seeing for council. He is much more patient, much more understanding and certainly much more forgiving than many of the people here.

St. Paul wrote “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. Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself.”

Why did Paul need to repremand the Corinthians? What were they doing at the time? How were they abusing the body and blood of Christ? What is the context of this scripture?

Maybe one day, I won’t be that shameful Cafeteria Catholic that question the teachings of the CC, but for now, I am what I am.

 

[coyotekate77]

Why did Paul need to repremand the Corinthians? What were they doing at the time? How were they abusing the body and blood of Christ? What is the context of this scripture?

**Most likely they (as many Catholics do today) were receiving the Eucharist in a state of sin. . .and perhaps part of that was ‘offering’ the Eucharist to their nonChristian friends and neighbors “because it is the life-giving bread and I don’t want to have my best buddy deprived just because he’s pagan --after all, even if he doesn’t accept the teachings of the Church, he’s such a nice guy and I’m sure Jesus would ‘let him in’ without all these pesky rules that Paul is yammering about. Anyway, I like Apollos better.” **

 

[japhy]

Why did Paul need to repremand the Corinthians? What were they doing at the time? How were they abusing the body and blood of Christ? What is the context of this scripture?

1 Cor. 10-11 is a pretty good context.