Why do you want Catholic Communion??????!!??!?!

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Theresaj said:
Having grown up Protestant, long litany of denomination my mom ran us through: Presbyterian, Methodist, Disciples of Christ, and UCC the one thing all those Churches had in common was open communion. No matter who you are, what your faith as long as you desired to know Jesus you were welcome at the table. See I can still recite it. You were also free to believe what you wanted about communion. My mom(serial denominationist, closet Catholic) taught me about the real presence. I was very surprised to find out no one else believed this when I was 11 or 12. For most Protestants, open communion is about acceptance. It is welcoming and evangelical to share communion. Thus, to be excluded from Catholic Communion when they so freely share theirs, no matter a person’s beliefs is difficult for many to understand. I am not speaking for all Protestant denominations, just the ones I attended as a child.
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Yes, what you shared is very true about those not Catholic as I use to be. This was one of my biggest “hang-ups” for awhile, but also led me to find out what Catholic"s believe:) I use to feel Catholics were exclusive and arrogant and communion was one area that I thought confirmed this. (it was a sign of acceptance) It seems wrong and exclusionary to other Christians who feel due to their faith in Christ, receiving Him should be allowed.
This is my past perspective.

mlz
 
JonNC said:
I would say they are not. Generally, we’ve been discussing folks that believe in the real presence. Lutherans, for example
Practice adoration, but usually only during the sacramental act.

Jon
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Yes,this is true but whenever you have the opportunity you should go to a Catholic “Adoration” time for an hour and let me know how it went. It is well worth your hour going…I was amazed what an AWESOME blessing this is and HIGHLY recommend this to all Christians! Anyone can come…I did several times before becoming Catholic

mlz
 
I do not think that Protestants want Catholic communion. Protestants come from a different belief and understanding of The Lord’s Supper, Communion, Holy Communion, or the Eucharist. It is generally a Protestant understanding that the ordinance was instituted by Christ at the Last Supper and given to the whole people of God and not specifically to the church itself. Protestants see it as something they have in common with all of God’s people. In my particular Protestant denomination we see Christ as the high priest of the Lord’s Supper (Communion) and it is He, not the church, that invites us to receive the elements of the ordinance and that invitation is open to all. One of the particular beliefs of our church is that the Table of the Lord is open to all that profess the name of Christ and accept Him as Savior and Lord of their life. So to us Communion unites us with the whole body of Christ within the universal church.

Through baptism into Christ
we enter into newness of life
and are made one with the whole people of God.
In the communion of the Holy Spirit
we are joined together in discipleship
and in obedience to Christ.
At the Table of the Lord
we celebrate with thanksgiving
the saving acts and presence of Christ.
Within the universal church
we receive the gift of ministry
and the light of scripture.

Out of respect to the the faith beliefs of Catholic and Orthodox Churches I would not expect to receive Communion as I do not share belief in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
 
I’m not actually terribly bothered unless I find myself in an RC Church, because I’m with a friend or something, or I’ve overslept on Sunday and missed our service. But that is only natural to desire to receive the Lord’s body and blood if you are a Christian who believes in the Real Presence in the Eucharist.
 
Indifferently said:
I’m not actually terribly bothered unless I find myself in an RC Church, because I’m with a friend or something, or I’ve overslept on Sunday and missed our service. But that is only natural to desire to receive the Lord’s body and blood if you are a Christian who believes in the Real Presence in the Eucharist.
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This is a well said; a natural desire.
 
Indifferently said:
I’m not actually terribly bothered unless I find myself in an RC Church, because I’m with a friend or something, or I’ve overslept on Sunday and missed our service. But that is only natural to desire to receive the Lord’s body and blood if you are a Christian who believes in the Real Presence in the Eucharist.
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I understand you feelings. When I am visiting my Anglican Catholic family members I would love to share Holy Eucharist with them. Out of respect for my faith and their’s, I reframe from doing so but the desire is still there. Thankfully many have joined the Personal Ordinariate in the US and we are allowed to share the same meal!
 
believerdoc said:
I do not think that Protestants want Catholic communion. Protestants come from a different belief and understanding of The Lord’s Supper, Communion, Holy Communion, or the Eucharist. It is generally a Protestant understanding that the ordinance was instituted by Christ at the Last Supper and given to the whole people of God and not specifically to the church itself. Protestants see it as something they have in common with all of God’s people. In my particular Protestant denomination we see Christ as the high priest of the Lord’s Supper (Communion) and it is He, not the church, that invites us to receive the elements of the ordinance and that invitation is open to all. One of the particular beliefs of our church is that the Table of the Lord is open to all that profess the name of Christ and accept Him as Savior and Lord of their life. So to us Communion unites us with the whole body of Christ within the universal church.

Through baptism into Christ
we enter into newness of life
and are made one with the whole people of God.
In the communion of the Holy Spirit
we are joined together in discipleship
and in obedience to Christ.
At the Table of the Lord
we celebrate with thanksgiving
the saving acts and presence of Christ.
Within the universal church
we receive the gift of ministry
and the light of scripture.

Out of respect to the the faith beliefs of Catholic and Orthodox Churches I would not expect to receive Communion as I do not share belief in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
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Your post probably reflects the sentiments of a large portion of what is generally called protestantism, specifically that portion that rejects the real presence, the idea of sacrament, and the role of the Church to administer the sacraments. It seems to me the
group of Christians this thread has focused on are essentially Lutherans and Anglicans who staunchly believe in open communion (not all do).
But you are right to point out that, outside sacramental communions such as Lutherans and Anglicans, protestants probably won’t have much interest.

Jon
 
Originally Posted by Indifferently
I’m not actually terribly bothered unless I find myself in an RC Church, because I’m with a friend or something, or I’ve overslept on Sunday and missed our service. But that is only natural to desire to receive the Lord’s body and blood if you are a Christian who believes in the Real Presence in the Eucharist.
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aidanbradypop said:
I understand you feelings. When I am visiting my Anglican Catholic family members I would love to share Holy Eucharist with them. Out of respect for my faith and their’s, I reframe from doing so but the desire is still there. Thankfully many have joined the Personal Ordinariate in the US and we are allowed to share the same meal!
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You both point out what I think should be one of the driving forces of ecumenical dialogue, particularly between our three communions: our desire to share His body and blood with each other!! If we truly desire this, and I’m sure we do, (and think about what a positive development that is of the last 60 years!), we will continue to work hard for the unity thatproperly brings about that sharing.

Jon
 
JonNC said:
Your post probably reflects the sentiments of a large portion of what is generally called protestantism, specifically that portion that rejects the real presence, the idea of sacrament, and the role of the Church to administer the sacraments. It seems to me the
group of Christians this thread has focused on are essentially Lutherans and Anglicans who staunchly believe in open communion (not all do).
But you are right to point out that, outside sacramental communions such as Lutherans and Anglicans, protestants probably won’t have much interest.

Jon
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You are correct friend. Many Protestant who do not believe in the RP probably have no interest in Catholic Eucharist. Many might actually be taken back by the thought of the RP in the Host.

I tend to see those who believe in the RP and believe their Eucharist is valid outside the Catholic Church are the ones that typically want an open communion among believers. As a member of the LCMS you can probably understand more of where the Church is coming from.
 
On open communion, even conservative Anglicans generally only require that the person approaching the Lord’s Table be a baptized Christian in good standing with his Church, and that he do so with hearty repentance and true faith.
 
believerdoc said:
I do not think that Protestants want Catholic communion. Protestants come from a different belief and understanding of The Lord’s Supper, Communion, Holy Communion, or the Eucharist. It is generally a Protestant understanding that the ordinance was instituted by Christ at the Last Supper and given to the whole people of God and not specifically to the church itself. Protestants see it as something they have in common with all of God’s people. In my particular Protestant denomination we see Christ as the high priest of the Lord’s Supper (Communion) and it is He, not the church, that invites us to receive the elements of the ordinance and that invitation is open to all. One of the particular beliefs of our church is that the Table of the Lord is open to all that profess the name of Christ and accept Him as Savior and Lord of their life. So to us Communion unites us with the whole body of Christ within the universal church.

Through baptism into Christ
we enter into newness of life
and are made one with the whole people of God.
In the communion of the Holy Spirit
we are joined together in discipleship
and in obedience to Christ.
At the Table of the Lord
we celebrate with thanksgiving
the saving acts and presence of Christ.
Within the universal church
we receive the gift of ministry
and the light of scripture.

Out of respect to the the faith beliefs of Catholic and Orthodox Churches I would not expect to receive Communion as I do not share belief in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
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If the Real Presence of God is not in the Eucharist then where else is God also absent? How can it be that in him we live and move and have our being and yet he is absent from any aspect of life?
 
Indifferently said:
On open communion, even conservative Anglicans generally only require that the person approaching the Lord’s Table be a baptized Christian in good standing with his Church, and that he do so with hearty repentance and true faith.
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The key phrase here is “in good standing with his Church”.
The Catholic viewpoint naturally differs from the Anglican or the Lutheran (or whoever) viewpoint on just what constitutes “in good standing with His Church”…

Peace
James
 
Hi tskrobacz. I take it ECC = Evangelical Covenant Church? (Just want to clarify b/c around here EC is usual “Eastern Catholic”.)
 
benjohnson said:
My opinion:

The Sacrament of the Eucharist is a the means of God’s gift of unmerited salvation to us - so any attempt to withhold God form His adopted children need to be more important than salvation.

The line of reasoning that “you must be one of us” to receive Jesus has always struck me as being more political than Gospel.

The reasoning that “we don’t want you to eat an drink judgment upon yourself” seems to me to be the correct and loving pastoral duty of the church.
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Exactly, I attended Mass with my husband for several years and he, being a cradle Catholic, never explained to me why I couldn’t receive communion. It was just this vague explanation of ,“You have to be a member, blah, blah, blah.” I was offended and I know other non-Catholics who being Christian felt the same way. Now that I’ve been going to RCIA and have read some of the CCC, a few of Scott Hahn’s books,etc.-I understand and I’m not offended anymore. Why didn’t my husband explain this to me? He told me he really didn’t know and surprisingly, other Catholics don’t necessarily understand this either.
 
Deana83 said:
Exactly, I attended Mass with my husband for several years and he, being a cradle Catholic, never explained to me why I couldn’t receive communion. It was just this vague explanation of ,“You have to be a member, blah, blah, blah.” I was offended and I know other non-Catholics who being Christian felt the same way. Now that I’ve been going to RCIA and have read some of the CCC, a few of Scott Hahn’s books,etc.-I understand and I’m not offended anymore. Why didn’t my husband explain this to me? He told me he really didn’t know and surprisingly, other Catholics don’t necessarily understand this either.
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Well, it’s understandable that he wouldn’t have known how to answer that, but I think he should have redirected the question to the parish priest. (Or there’s always the explanation in the missalette, but understandably he might not have known about it.)

Btw, where are coming from? (ELCA, perhaps?) In any case, a (belated) welcome to the forum.
 
Peter_J said:
Well, I guess it’s understandable that he wouldn’t know how to answer that, but I think he should have redirected the question to the parish priest. (Or there’s always the explanation in the missalette, but understandably he might not have not about it.)

Btw, where are coming from? (ELCA, perhaps?)
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Many cradle Catholics I have come across in my journey to the Church really did not know why Communion is not open to all. They simply stated that I had to be a member of the Church in order to do so. I took it upon myself to ask a parish priest. He pointed me to the CCC and Scripture to answer the question. 👍
 
tskrobacz said:
What does that have to do with this topic?
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As Peter said, for clarity. Since we don’t actually know each other, it is good background information when reading each other’s posts to know the communion they belong to. Nothing more to it than that.

Jon
 
My good friend is a woman Presbyterian elder in her Church and she is really upset
she can’t Commune in the Catholic Church because her husband can Commune in her Church.

I thank our non Catholic friends for sharing the different views on this issue for it helps me to come from a point that acknowledges her desire to do so, not just what may seem the legalistic issues of it all.
 
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