Why can't I take communion at a Catholic service?

[chrisb]

Peace be with you all,

I am currently in RCIA and I have yet to take communion with the Catholic Church. As I understand it taking communion is more than simply recoginizing “transubstantiation” it also includes being in good standing with the Church and the Pope as well. Even Catholics are asked to refrain from taking communion if they have unconfessed sins or having issue with Church Teachings. So it is not as simple as any one issue. I am not here to argument if these are good or bad reason for one to not give one communion but that is simply the custom. Why would anyone not Catholic wish to take communion with her anyways?

Peace, Love and Blessings,

 

[Arwen037]

Although I can’t speak for every church, I do know that we don’t just throw out the wafers or the wine. It must all be drunk or eaten. Or it might be stored. I’m not sure which of those two. But we don’t just throw it out. And everyone else here understood what I meant by taking communion. I don’t need a grammar lesson.

 

[JackPaul]

: I AM NOT JOINING THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. I DON’T SHARE ENOUGH OF THE CATHOLIC BELIEFS THAT I WOULD JOIN IT. I DO BELIEVE IN TRANSUBSTANCIATION. JUST BECAUSE MAY RELIGION IS NON0CATHOLIC DOESN’T MEAN IT IS A PAGAN RELIGION. DON’T ACT LIKE IT IS.

Arwen,
I myself have made statements like this and later have had to retract them. I had so many issues when I went through RCIA that I had to repeat the class for a second year. Somewhere along the line, I became very focused on what I wanted from the Church and all the issues seemed to vanish. I am not suggesting that this might happen to you, but if you are here seeking knowledge, you might already be in trouble. Inquiry classes are beginning at Churches all over the country. This is the part of the class where you can just bombard them with hard questions (it was my favorite part). The only danger is, like me, you might find out you are in agreement with more than you thought you were. Then, eight months later, you find yourself at the Easter Vigil becoming what you said you weren’t going to be. I pray that we will be there to welcome you in the very near future.
Yours in Christ,
Jack

 

[j_arden]

motorman:

Then I ask you, how can you stay away from him. No other christian religion believes that the actual body, blood. soul & divinity is present in the Eucharist.

This isn’t entirely accurate. The Orthodox churches have the same beliefs regarding the Eucharist as does the Catholic Church. However, Catholics aren’t normally allowed to recieve at Orthodox churches and Orthodox aren’t normally allowed to recieve at Catholic churches. To me, this is a clear indication that what one believes about the Eucharist is only part of the issue. Or, rather, belief in transubstantiation is only a part of being in communion with the Catholic Church.

Arwen - hang in there! Like in any public dialogue, you’ll find opinions in these forums that are off-topic, nitpicky, and personal attacks. You’re right that you don’t need a grammar lesson. In my experience, ignoring such posters is better than letting them anger you. As the saying goes, “take what you like and leave the rest.”

• JP

 

[mercygate]

Arwen037:

Although I can’t speak for every church, I do know that we don’t just throw out the wafers or the wine. It must all be drunk or eaten. Or it might be stored. I’m not sure which of those two. But we don’t just throw it out. And everyone else here understood what I meant by taking communion. I don’t need a grammar lesson.

You must belong to a “high” Lutheran Church. The Lutheran pastor up the street from my parish told us that when the congregation has dispersed, Christ is no longer present in the elements. They are discarded – sometimes to the birds. (Actually, given the theology as explained to me, I kind of like that idea.)

When I was an Anglican (Catholics and Anglicans have a joint statement on the Eucharist), I believed in transubstantiation but it was definitely not the “official” position of the Anglican Communion and the belief absolutely flies in the face of the 39 Articles.

 

[jimmy]

StratusRose:

My name is KIM.

Kevin Smith is quoted on my signature.

One more thing, if she doesnt agree with everything the church says then she doesnt have to RIGHT AWAY. Sometimes understanding comes with praying and time. I didnt agree with the whole birth control issue at first but after praying about it and thinking about it more, I accepted it. Does that make me a bad Catholic? No. God wants us to understand things that he wants for us and if it takes some time then that’s ok.

Kim

You do not have to understand everything the Catholic Church believes. You just have to accept it to be the truth.

 

[Malachi4U]

Let’s see what Scripture says:

Jn 6:55 “55 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.”

So, the Eucharist IS His flesh so read this verse:

1 Cor 10:16 “16 The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?”
This verse confirms the Real Presence of Jesus’ flesh! Why else would this verse need to be stated.

Now this highlighted verse dictates why Catholic have a closed communion:

1 Cor 11:23-30 “23 For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread, 24 and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes. 27 Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to answer for the body and blood of the Lord. 28 A person should examine himself, and so eat the bread and drink the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many among you are ill and infirm, and a considerable number are dying.”

So the highlighted verse proves you are guilty of an offense against God if you take the Eucharist as ‘symbolic’ or something other then Jesus. Scripture is clear, we cannot be judged by anything we eat with one exception, you guessed it, the flesh of Jesus. This verse would be meaningless if the Eucharist were not real.

Catholics are only preventing non-believers from sinning against the flesh of Jesus and at the same time honoring the intent of these passages. The Catholic Church did not close communion, Scripture did.

If you want to understand the Catholic Church then just read Scripture.

I hope this helps,

PS, I learned these things from an “EX”-Baptist preacher by the way. He opened his eyes to Scripture and now he’s Catholic. Praise God!

 

[Anna_Elizabeth]

chrisb:

Peace be with you all,

I am currently in RCIA and I have yet to take communion with the Catholic Church. As I understand it taking communion is more than simply recoginizing “transubstantiation” it also includes being in good standing with the Church and the Pope as well. Even Catholics are asked to refrain from taking communion if they have unconfessed sins or having issue with Church Teachings. So it is not as simple as any one issue. I am not here to argument if these are good or bad reason for one to not give one communion but that is simply the custom. Why would anyone not Catholic wish to take communion with her anyways?Peace, Love and Blessings,

chrisb, Please do not keep saying “take” Communion. Such action is perhaps appropriate to the symbolic wafer in other ecclesial communities, but since we believe the Eucharist to be the real Presence of Our Lord, a passive and adoring “reception” best shows the relationship between the Creator and the creature. Say, “receive.”

(The effort by some to Protestantize the Church has led sophisticated and /or dissident Catholics to adopt the “take” verb. Obtuse Cathlics will follow along. Sad. )

Thanks,

Anna

 

[StratusRose]

jimmy:

Kim

You do not have to understand everything the Catholic Church believes. You just have to accept it to be the truth.

Agreed.

 

[trustmc]

Arwen037:

I’m part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. I went to a Lutheran school for 5 years. I then switched to a Catholic school. I’ve been going to Catholic schools for about 5 years now. I’ve gone through the Confirmation teachings of both churches (I was only confirmed in the Lutheran church though). I’ve been told that I can’t take communion at Catholic services because Lutherans don’t believe the same thing about communion as Catholics do. But everything I’ve heard indicates we have the same beliefs about communion, and a great percentage of other issues. I don’t get why Lutherans aren’t allowed to take communion at Catholic churches and vise versa. Could someone please explain this to me?

I’m sorry if this has been addressed elsewhere, but I haven’t been able to find it. If it has, could you please direct me there?

 

[trustmc]

Dear Arwin,

My advice to you is to pick up you bible and read the following sections: John 6:24-71, Luke 22:19-22, Mark 14:22-24, Matt 25:26-38, Matt 10:32-33, John 14:21, Acts 20:7, 1 Cor 10:16 and 11:17-27.

Most of these verses confirm the doctrine of transubstantiation, the Eucharistic proclamation of faith based on love for the Lord, and the normative practice of receiving the Eucharist every Sunday.

However, I’d like you to hone in on 1 Cor 11:17-27 which should answer your concerns about Catholic exclusivity with regards to the Eucharist. Notice St. Paul’s warnings about disunity among the members of the church as he elaborates on the Lord’s Supper:

“What I now have to say is not said in praise, because your meetings are not profitable but harmful. First of all, I hear that when you gather for a meeting there are divisions among you, and I am inclined to believe it. There may even have to be factions among you for the tried and true to stand out clearly. When you assemble it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper, for everyone is in haste to eat his own supper. One person goes hungry while another gets drunk. Do you not have homes where you can eat and drink? Would you show contempt for the church of God, and embarrass those who have nothing? What can I say to you? Shall I praise you? Certainly not in this matter.” (emphasis mine)

The point made by St. Paul is that where congregants meet to partake of the Eucharist there should be no disunity among them. Otherwise, the meetings themselves would be sinful in as much as when the poor are being denied sacramental grace which was apparently the practice in the Corinthian church. And to allow protestants to partake of the Eucharist would be even more grave according to St. Paul:

“I received from the Lord what I handed on to you… Every time, then, you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord, until he comes! This means that whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily sins against the body and blood of the Lord.” (emphasis mine)

As you can see from St. Paul’s warning, if a priest were to allow a professing protestant to partake of the Eucharist, he would be just as culpable and liable for the sin of eathing unworthly being committed by the protestant believer! Therefore it is for your own protection that Catholics along with their priests must insist that you refrain from participation lest you place your soul in grave danger of sinning against the body and blood of our Lord. This is done out of love, not snobbery, and is in conformity to scripture which always confirms Catholic teaching.

The Catholic Church also holds her children to the exact standard by insisting that we can not partake of protestant communion for the same reason lest we sin against the body and blood of our Lord. It would be remiss of us to say the least to take communion at a Lutheran church, and very disrespectful of deeply-held protestant beliefs to act as if our doctrinal differences and disunity do not matter to God.

I hope these biblical teachings help you in your faith journey. And I hope that Catholics reading my response will learn to strengthen their otherwise very good arguments with the bible. God bless you, Arwin.

Captain Michael Trust
U.S. Army
Baghdad, Iraq

 

[Bryan]

Arwen I completely understand where you are coming from on this, not because I don’t understand the RC view/reason on this issue, but because I don’t understand the RC stubborness on this.

What we have here is a close communion. You were raised a Evangelical Lutheran so you may not know about it. I was born and raised a Lutheran-Missouri Synod, which also has a closed communion and doesn’t allow others to participate. Fortunately for me, my particular church did allow it, which I believe is wonderful.

I have spoken to a number of theologians lately (including Catholics) who honestly don’t see the harm in allowing non-catholics to take part in the Eucharist. If anything, it would strengthen Christian relations and truly bring the spirit of Christ to the church (I don’t mean the Holy Spirit). Christ dined with all types, as should Catholics and any other Christians in communion. The staunch objection to this is looked upon as irrelevant even by many Catholics.

Reguardless if someone on here says otherwise, it is. I love this website and the discussions on here, but the majority of participants seemed to be quite close-minded participants, so think for yourself and if you don’t think it is right, find another Catholic Church that will allow it (since some do.) Or, you could always become a Catholic (always a good option )

Originally Posted by jimmy
Kim

You do not have to understand everything the Catholic Church believes. You just have to accept it to be the truth.

Not true. Blindly believing something isn’t always an option. Everyone should seek the truth through doctrine, tradition, the Bible itself, or in their own hearts. Never accept anything just because someone tells you it is the truth, find it to be the truth for yourself. That is just something to live by, never, ever be a sheep.

Good luck and God Bless!

 

[mercygate]

Years ago, before I became Catholic (although I was VERY “catholic”), a priest invited me to receive the Sacrament at his Masses – which I did for years. Who knows? Maybe that contributed to my ultimate conversion.

However, when I became serious about entering the Church, I saw, bright as the morning sun, that I needed to STOP receiving the Sacrament from an altar to which I had not been admitted “properly.” I saw that receiving the Sacrament based on MY belief in it was not the same as having the Church accept ME. Why should I allow the Church to be my judge? On the contrary: why should I NOT want to demonstrate my good faith, my intention, my commitment to Christ, to the Church, and to the (often heavy) disciplines she enjoins in order to foster the good of my soul and the community that bears the name of Christ? How could I ask the Church trust me if I were not first willing to trust her in this?

When I approached the Church, I thought they would be thrilled to see me comng. Then it occurred to me that they didn’t have any idea who I was. What if they find out what makes me tick and they can’t accept me? (Sometimes I think they wish they had taken that route!) Willingness to wait is a sign of respect.

Catholicism is a “whole cow” proposition. A little caution can be a very good thing.

Bryan: I do not doubt that you have found Catholic theologians who support intercommunion. What Catholic theologians have you spoken with?

 

[MariaG]

Never ever be a sheep? But if Christ is the good shepherd, and you choose not to be a sheep, where does that leave you?

Your sister in Christ,

Maria

 

[mercygate]

Anna Elizabeth:

chrisb, Please do not keep saying “take” Communion. . . . Say, “receive.”

(The effort by some to Protestantize the Church has led sophisticated and /or dissident Catholics to adopt the “take” verb. Obtuse Cathlics will follow along. Sad. )

Anna

Anna – though I sympathize (and largely agree) with your spirituality here, I think this might be a case of exaggerating a detail into a crisis. After all, Our Lord himself said, “Take, this is my body.” (Mk. 14:22). There is also a solid Catholic theology in taking . . .

 

[mercygate]

MariaG:

Never ever be a sheep? But if Christ is the good shepherd, and you choose not to be a sheep, where does that leave you?

Your sister in Christ,

Maria

High five, MariaG. You beat me to it!

One can quite legitimately be a “sheep” when one reaches a point of affirmation concerning the appropriate authority of the Church yet chooses not to engage on a high theological level over every single issue. We are not all called to be Cardinal Schonborn!

Baa-aaa.

 

[Sherlock]

MariaG,

Great point! I too was bothered by the “never, ever be a sheep” line—I guess we’re all to be our own shepherds, and don’t need that whole “The Lord is my shepherd” business: tsk, tsk, so old-fashioned…we’re so much more sophisticated now, doncha know.

 

[Stephen-Maguire]

Arwen037:

I’m part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. I went to a Lutheran school for 5 years. I then switched to a Catholic school. I’ve been going to Catholic schools for about 5 years now. I’ve gone through the Confirmation teachings of both churches (I was only confirmed in the Lutheran church though). I’ve been told that I can’t take communion at Catholic services because Lutherans don’t believe the same thing about communion as Catholics do. But everything I’ve heard indicates we have the same beliefs about communion, and a great percentage of other issues. I don’t get why Lutherans aren’t allowed to take communion at Catholic churches and vise versa. Could someone please explain this to me?

I’m sorry if this has been addressed elsewhere, but I haven’t been able to find it. If it has, could you please direct me there?

If we Catholics aren’t supposed to recieve unless we’ve examined our conscience, & made a good confession, how can someone that is not a member of the Catholic Church feel that they can do what members of the Catholic Church can’t ?
Are you intending to join the Catholic Church ? if not them i’m afraid it’s wrong for you to receive, sorry for being so blunt, but thats the long,short,& tall of it.
If you want to joing the Church, then see a priest.

 

[Ashley]

If I may interject here, I don’t feel Bryan was referring to not being a sheep for the Lord. He was merely referring to the fact that we shouldn’t blindly agree with things because the church merely tells us they are the truth. We have the ability to find out what truths are for our selves. I am not in any form saying anyone should doubt the word of God, but we cannot fully believe and have faith in something if we question it at all. I personally agree with Bryan that ALL believers in Christ should be welcome in communion in a Catholic church. As I have read, in your own doctrine, salvation has been extended to both non-Catholics and non-Christians, so please explain to me why the communion is still closed?

 

[Contarini]

MariaG:

From my understanding, Lutherans believe that in the Real Presence but once Mass is over, the Real Presence is gone. Catholics do not believe it is gone. For example, Catholics store the “leftovers” in a tabernacle because it is Christ body and blood. From my understanding, Lutherans could take the “leftovers” and throw them away if they wanted to. Is that correct?

I don’t think the Lutherans have a dogmatic view on this. Melanchthon did hold this view, but he was regarded with some suspicion as too “Calvinist” in his view of the Eucharist. The general Lutheran practice, if I’m not mistaken, is to consume all the consecrated elements so that the issue doesn’t arise. But I’m willing to be corrected by Lutherans.

Edwin