Why don't Catholics have Open Communion?

[Tantum_ergo]

So, what you are saying is you shut out other Christians And speaking of the eucharist, and transubstantiation, that is a BELIEF that the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ right? And is there also something about sacrifice? If it involves Christ, wouldn’t contradict Hebrews 10:5-12? If a catholic came to our church, we would allow them to take communion!

No, we don’t shut out. We follow the Holy Spirit who has led us to truth. And since communion is a true ‘union’, if those who truly believe as The Church believes (thereby being ‘in union’ with us) wish to receive, then they (being in union with us) would have no problem taking the formal steps of becoming Catholic, would they?

If a Catholic came to your church (as I would often go to my best friend’s --a Protestant- )he or she could not take your communion because in doing so, that Catholic would be saying in his/her soul, "I believe and uphold 100% the teachings of this Protestant church and as such, I take communion as a sign of that acceptance.’

Granted you will find Catholics who have been poorly educated or who are sadly mistaken about the whole teaching and who would ‘join you’. . . but then again, if somebody from YOUR Church came out and told everybody that "as a member of 1beelever’s church, we roast babies’, we Catholics wouldn’t automatically accept his statement as true of your church’s teachings if your church said, “Oh no we do NOT”. So if Joe Catholic says, “Sure I’ll take communion at your place” but the Catechism of the Catholic Church (I’d be glad to link it to you) and other Catholics say, “Oh no, we cannot”. . .I’m SURE you wouldn’t listen to one person just because they said what you wanted to hear and ignore the DOCUMENTS that show that person is wrong.

Don’t you find it strange that people get all demanding to ‘get things’ but never want to ‘give’ in return? Don’t you find it strange that people who don’t believe that Catholic Communion is real Flesh and Blood whine that they ‘want it’, but they don’t even care or believe in what they insist on taking? Or that they want to hate and deride the Church’s teachings but “take” communion as though the Church were somehow mean or hateful to ‘deny’ them?

If you were a U.S. citizen and somebody from Singapore came over to you, knocked you down, rifled through your wallet and calmly walked off with your money, and then told you that you were a mean, hate filled bigot to deny him YOUR money, because he wanted that money and you were ‘keeping it from him unfairly’. . .that he didn’t need to be a citizen or to work for money but it should come to him even though he never did anything for it, remained a citizen of Singapore, etc., you’d be calling the cops to arrest him. Tell me how it is different for nonCatholics to demand the Eucharist without themselves becoming Catholic. . .

 

[1beleevr]

No, we don’t shut out. We follow the Holy Spirit who has led us to truth. And since communion is a true ‘union’, if those who truly believe as The Church believes (thereby being ‘in union’ with us) wish to receive, then they (being in union with us) would have no problem taking the formal steps of becoming Catholic, would they?

If a Catholic came to your church (as I would often go to my best friend’s --a Protestant- )he or she could not take your communion because in doing so, that Catholic would be saying in his/her soul, "I believe and uphold 100% the teachings of this Protestant church and as such, I take communion as a sign of that acceptance.’

Granted you will find Catholics who have been poorly educated or who are sadly mistaken about the whole teaching and who would ‘join you’. . . but then again, if somebody from YOUR Church came out and told everybody that "as a member of 1beelever’s church, we roast babies’, we Catholics wouldn’t automatically accept his statement as true of your church’s teachings if your church said, “Oh no we do NOT”. So if Joe Catholic says, “Sure I’ll take communion at your place” but the Catechism of the Catholic Church (I’d be glad to link it to you) and other Catholics say, “Oh no, we cannot”. . .I’m SURE you wouldn’t listen to one person just because they said what you wanted to hear and ignore the DOCUMENTS that show that person is wrong.

Don’t you find it strange that people get all demanding to ‘get things’ but never want to ‘give’ in return? Don’t you find it strange that people who don’t believe that Catholic Communion is real Flesh and Blood whine that they ‘want it’, but they don’t even care or believe in what they insist on taking? Or that they want to hate and deride the Church’s teachings but “take” communion as though the Church were somehow mean or hateful to ‘deny’ them?

If you were a U.S. citizen and somebody from Singapore came over to you, knocked you down, rifled through your wallet and calmly walked off with your money, and then told you that you were a mean, hate filled bigot to deny him YOUR money, because he wanted that money and you were ‘keeping it from him unfairly’. . .that he didn’t need to be a citizen or to work for money but it should come to him even though he never did anything for it, remained a citizen of Singapore, etc., you’d be calling the cops to arrest him. Tell me how it is different for nonCatholics to demand the Eucharist without themselves becoming Catholic. . .

Even though Jesus held the first communion with eleven disciples, I can’t believe that he would say, “Now you make sure that only catholics partake of this!” Is it true that a noncatholic Christian some years back was removed from a catholic church because she caused a scene, after being denied communion? And it is still rather sad, that we as Christians do things to separate rather than edify the Body(of which we all who are in Christ, are part of!" I have never demanded to partake of the communion at those catholic services I have attended as a guest! I was told in no certain terms, to be quiet and respectful, and not partake of communion! But I still don’t know how you can use your imagination to make the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ! It is my experience that I encounter Christ everywhere I go!:thumbsup:BTW, I do not miss nottaking communion in the cc, anymore than I miss not confessing to a priest!

 

[Brywan]

I was an evangelical Christian for 27 years before I became Catholic. It would have been morally impossible for me to receive communion in a Catholic Church, because I believed at that time that communion was a symbol only. I did not believe what the Catholic Church teaches about the body and blood of Christ being substantially present. When the priest or eucharistic minister holds up the host and says: “the body of Christ” I could not, in good conscience, have said “amen”

For Christians who hold the same beliefs as I once did, why on earth would they want to receive the Eucharist and say “amen” to something they don’t believe?!

And if they do believe it, then why aren’t they Catholic!!!

 

[PJM]

=diana leslie;The question was posed to me by a friend of mine. I know the answer from a Catholic perspective–it is a sign of unity of Faith and if you don’t believe what all the Catholic Church teaches then you should not partake, because “anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself.” --1 Cor. 11:29

This friend in a Lutheran, and he believes in the True Presence, yet they have open communion at his church. He believes that if someone were to go to Communion and believe, Jesus would be present, but if they didn’t believe, He would not be.

My response to this was to say Jesus is present no matter what because it is a real presence, just as a tree in a forest is real whether or not a person goes to see it or even knows its there.

Here is the thinking of the CC…

***Becaue Eucharist is one of the Seven Sacraments INSTITUTED BY CHRIST several things are necessary: 1. Direct Apolostolic Succession [which Luther a heretic abrogated when he freely abandoned the CC] 2. Because this mission and mandate was given directty by Jesus to His Apostles [Mt. 26, Mk.14, Lk. 22, Jn. 6. and Paul 1 Cor. 11] ONLY His Pope, Bishops and priest are empowered to cooperate with Making God Truly Present.

In addition to this fact, the Church ties togeather Christian Baptism, Confirmation into the Catholic Faith and Euchrist togeather. One need be Baptized, trained in the Catholic Faith sufficiently to make a freewill commitment to know, live and share the faith BEFORE
being granted access to Catholic Holy Communion. Why? becuse it really is God in the Person of the Glorified Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ; and that is His specified Divine Will.

And NO, other faiths, even those who report to believe in the Real Presence; have the God given power to make God Present. This is exclusive to the CC, and is the single GREATEST reason for one to be a Catholic***.

But his frustration remains. The argument is that the Catholic Church claims that we are trying to unify all churches into one, yet we are being divisive by excluding others at our communion. My friends stance is he would never be a part of a church that was so exclusive.

And God accepts that denial of His Divine and Perfect Will. There for all good things a price “to pay.” The price in this instance is knowing and doing God’ Will. This is not a “Catholic Invention!” This is a mandate fro Christ Himself to His One true Church. We are not going to abandon God, Gods Will or Gods mandate [look up the chapters I just provided] in order to reconcil with them.

There arenearly 100 NT Bible verses that testify to Gods One New Church, Faith and Bible. Other NEED TO RECONCIL with us; not the othr way around. WHY?

As Pope Benedict proclaimed when he became our 265th consecutive Pope in 2,000 years… “There canot be my truth and your truth or there would be NO TRUTH.” Christ Himself placed and insures the TRUTH [SINGULAR] in His CC. Read ohn Chapters 14 and 17 and see for yourself.

Eph. 2:19 So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, [SINGULAR] built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; SINGULAR] in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.”

**Eph. 4: 4 **“There is one body One Church] and one Spirit, One set of beliefs] just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, [One Triune God] one faith, [One set of doctrine and dogma and Tradition] one baptism, [By water in the Trinity] one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all. 7 But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore it is said, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” The key WORD here is ONE

 

[choy]

Even though Jesus held the first communion with eleven disciples, I can’t believe that he would say, “Now you make sure that only catholics partake of this!” Is it true that a noncatholic Christian some years back was removed from a catholic church because she caused a scene, after being denied communion? And it is still rather sad, that we as Christians do things to separate rather than edify the Body(of which we all who are in Christ, are part of!" I have never demanded to partake of the communion at those catholic services I have attended as a guest! I was told in no certain terms, to be quiet and respectful, and not partake of communion! But I still don’t know how you can use your imagination to make the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ! It is my experience that I encounter Christ everywhere I go!:thumbsup:BTW, I do not miss nottaking communion in the cc, anymore than I miss not confessing to a priest!

no, but St. Paul did say that those who are not worthy should not receive. the Sacrament of Penance ensures our souls are in a state of grace, and worthy to receive Christ. this would already disqualify a great majority of non-Catholics who do not have the Sacrament of Penance and Reconcilliation

now, when receiving the Eucharist, the minister would say “The Body (and/or Blood) of Christ” and the communicant would respond by saying “Amen.” saying Amen is an affirmation that the communicant believes that what he is receiving is in fact the Body and Blood of Christ. no symbolisms, no “in spirit only”, we believe we are reciving the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, and that the bread is not bread anymore, and the wine is not wine anymore

also, communion means becoming one in thought and belief though intimate communication. in simple terms, it means you become one. one with whom? with Christ, His Body and His Church. so how can you be one with His Church if you are not part of THE Church? so the Eucharist then is profaned and it becomes a lie, you receive communion in the Catholic Church, and yet you are not one in belief with the Catholic Church.

that is also why Catholics cannot receive communion from Churches that are not in communion with the Bishop of Rome, so this would not only mean Protestant Churches, but Schismatic Churches as well

 

[jmcrae]

Even though Jesus held the first communion with eleven disciples, I can’t believe that he would say, “Now you make sure that only catholics partake of this!”

Actually, what he told them was to baptize them and teach them the Catholic doctrines, before giving it to them (meaning, they were already Catholic). You will notice that those who disagreed with the Apostles’ doctrine (just as Protestants today do) were shut out from the “breaking of the bread” - that is, Holy Communion.

But I still don’t know how you can use your imagination to make the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ!

It isn’t our imagination that is making it so - it is Jesus Christ who is making it so, by coming down from Heaven on to the Altar, and taking the place of the bread and wine so exactly that no difference is perceptible to our senses.

 

[jmcrae]

So, what you are saying is you shut out other Christians And speaking of the eucharist, and transubstantiation, that is a BELIEF that the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ right?

This is a Doctrine that was taught by the Apostles, and recorded in the Scriptures.

If a catholic came to our church, we would allow them to take communion!

If it’s completely meaningless, then sure, why not? You could even let a dog receive it, or an unbaptized person, if it’s just a happy-clappy fellowship thing. It’s only when something acquires meaning, that you want to make sure that people understand what’s going on, before they participate.

 

[1beleevr]

Here is the thinking of the CC…

***Becaue Eucharist is one of the Seven Sacraments INSTITUTED BY CHRIST several things are necessary: 1. Direct Apolostolic Succession [which Luther a heretic abrogated when he freely abandoned the CC] 2. Because this mission and mandate was given directty by Jesus to His Apostles [Mt. 26, Mk.14, Lk. 22, Jn. 6. and Paul 1 Cor. 11] ONLY His Pope, Bishops and priest are empowered to cooperate with Making God Truly Present.

In addition to this fact, the Church ties togeather Christian Baptism, Confirmation into the Catholic Faith and Euchrist togeather. One need be Baptized, trained in the Catholic Faith sufficiently to make a freewill commitment to know, live and share the faith BEFORE
being granted access to Catholic Holy Communion. Why? becuse it really is God in the Person of the Glorified Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ; and that is His specified Divine Will.

And NO, other faiths, even those who report to believe in the Real Presence; have the God given power to make God Present. This is exclusive to the CC, and is the single GREATEST reason for one to be a Catholic***.

And God accepts that denial of His Divine and Perfect Will. There for all good things a price “to pay.” The price in this instance is knowing and doing God’ Will. This is not a “Catholic Invention!” This is a mandate fro Christ Himself to His One true Church. We are not going to abandon God, Gods Will or Gods mandate [look up the chapters I just provided] in order to reconcil with them.

There arenearly 100 NT Bible verses that testify to Gods One New Church, Faith and Bible. Other NEED TO RECONCIL with us; not the othr way around. WHY?

As Pope Benedict proclaimed when he became our 265th consecutive Pope in 2,000 years… “There canot be my truth and your truth or there would be NO TRUTH.” Christ Himself placed and insures the TRUTH [SINGULAR] in His CC. Read ohn Chapters 14 and 17 and see for yourself.

Eph. 2:19 So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, [SINGULAR] built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; SINGULAR] in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.”

**Eph. 4: 4 **“There is one body One Church] and one Spirit, One set of beliefs] just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, [One Triune God] one faith, [One set of doctrine and dogma and Tradition] one baptism, [By water in the Trinity] one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all. 7 But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore it is said, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” The key WORD here is ONE

H-m-m-m-m-m!

 

[1beleevr]

Actually, what he told them was to baptize them and teach them the Catholic doctrines, before giving it to them (meaning, they were already Catholic). You will notice that those who disagreed with the Apostles’ doctrine (just as Protestants today do) were shut out from the “breaking of the bread” - that is, Holy Communion.

It isn’t our imagination that is making it so - it is Jesus Christ who is making it so, by coming down from Heaven on to the Altar, and taking the place of the bread and wine so exactly that no difference is perceptible to our senses.

I don’t remember Him saying,“Teach them catholic doctrine,”, more like , “teaching them ALL the things that I have taught you.” And the bread and wine never physically become the Body and Blood of Christ; which would make ti like our communion! But, you do feel the very strong presence of Jesus, when partaking of communion; very humbling!

 

[Bbigam]

I don’t remember Him saying,“Teach them catholic doctrine,”, more like , “teaching them ALL the things that I have taught you.” And the bread and wine never physically become the Body and Blood of Christ; which would make ti like our communion! But, you do feel the very strong presence of Jesus, when partaking of communion; very humbling!

When you take “teach them everything I have commanded you” and combine it with “you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the Gates of Hades will not prevail against it,” you have the Catholic Church with the fullness of the truth and mandated to teach it.

That Church founded by Christ on Peter teaches, in line with Jesus’ own words, that the bread and wine do, in fact, become the Body and Blood of Christ. Sure, it doesn’t look like Flesh and Blood. Jesus didn’t look divine when He was on earth in human flesh, either.

 

[1beleevr]

When you take “teach them everything I have commanded you” and combine it with “you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the Gates of Hades will not prevail against it,” you have the Catholic Church with the fullness of the truth and mandated to teach it.

That Church founded by Christ on Peter teaches, in line with Jesus’ own words, that the bread and wine do, in fact, become the Body and Blood of Christ. Sure, it doesn’t look like Flesh and Blood. Jesus didn’t look divine when He was on earth in human flesh, either.

That in itself does not make it catholic doctrine! Jesus’s words apply to ALL human beings, and those that choose to obey, reap the benefits of salvation and eternal life! I have been in Christ for 43 years, and draw closer to Him daily! And I have been to a catholic service, and the wafer nor the wine change into anything but a wafer and wine! Jesus is referred to many times, as the Rock, but I know that because Peter loosely translated means stone, or rock, that it is easy to articulate this verse into him being the first pope!

 

[Bbigam]

That in itself does not make it catholic doctrine! Jesus’s words apply to ALL human beings, and those that choose to obey, reap the benefits of salvation and eternal life! I have been in Christ for 43 years, and draw closer to Him daily! And I have been to a catholic service, and the wafer nor the wine change into anything but a wafer and wine! Jesus is referred to many times, as the Rock, but I know that because Peter loosely translated means stone, or rock, that it is easy to articulate this verse into him being the first pope!

I’m not going to get into an argument about Peter, that’s off-topic for this thread and there are plenty of threads on that. His words for all human beings - yes, all humans are called to come and be saved through Christ in the Church He established. I’m glad you draw closer to Christ every day, but you could be so much closer receiving His Body and Blood. As I already said, the appearances don’t change. But the substance does change into the Body and Blood of the Lord.

 

[1beleevr]

I’m not going to get into an argument about Peter, that’s off-topic for this thread and there are plenty of threads on that. His words for all human beings - yes, all humans are called to come and be saved through Christ in the Church He established. I’m glad you draw closer to Christ every day, but you could be so much closer receiving His Body and Blood. As I already said, the appearances don’t change. But the substance does change into the Body and Blood of the Lord.

I was invited by my catholic co-worker to join him at his parish for mass. He lined out a laundry list of do’s and don’ts, so that I would be prepared! He said, and quite emphatically, “You may not partake of communion, or put holy water on youurself!” Jesus did not specify where one was to be saved, nor how or how often to partake of communion! He merely said, as often as you do this, do it in remembrance of me! Believe it or not, Jesus will meet you wherever you are. You don’t have to be in Church! And communion is as often as you feel the need!

 

[1beleevr]

No, we don’t shut out. We follow the Holy Spirit who has led us to truth. And since communion is a true ‘union’, if those who truly believe as The Church believes (thereby being ‘in union’ with us) wish to receive, then they (being in union with us) would have no problem taking the formal steps of becoming Catholic, would they?

If a Catholic came to your church (as I would often go to my best friend’s --a Protestant- )he or she could not take your communion because in doing so, that Catholic would be saying in his/her soul, "I believe and uphold 100% the teachings of this Protestant church and as such, I take communion as a sign of that acceptance.’

Granted you will find Catholics who have been poorly educated or who are sadly mistaken about the whole teaching and who would ‘join you’. . . but then again, if somebody from YOUR Church came out and told everybody that "as a member of 1beelever’s church, we roast babies’, we Catholics wouldn’t automatically accept his statement as true of your church’s teachings if your church said, “Oh no we do NOT”. So if Joe Catholic says, “Sure I’ll take communion at your place” but the Catechism of the Catholic Church (I’d be glad to link it to you) and other Catholics say, “Oh no, we cannot”. . .I’m SURE you wouldn’t listen to one person just because they said what you wanted to hear and ignore the DOCUMENTS that show that person is wrong.

Don’t you find it strange that people get all demanding to ‘get things’ but never want to ‘give’ in return? Don’t you find it strange that people who don’t believe that Catholic Communion is real Flesh and Blood whine that they ‘want it’, but they don’t even care or believe in what they insist on taking? Or that they want to hate and deride the Church’s teachings but “take” communion as though the Church were somehow mean or hateful to ‘deny’ them?

If you were a U.S. citizen and somebody from Singapore came over to you, knocked you down, rifled through your wallet and calmly walked off with your money, and then told you that you were a mean, hate filled bigot to deny him YOUR money, because he wanted that money and you were ‘keeping it from him unfairly’. . .that he didn’t need to be a citizen or to work for money but it should come to him even though he never did anything for it, remained a citizen of Singapore, etc., you’d be calling the cops to arrest him. Tell me how it is different for nonCatholics to demand the Eucharist without themselves becoming Catholic. . .

Consequently, if we were to partake of communion in the catholic church, that would mean we were in agreement with all of their doctrine, right? Now I don’t feel so bad about not being allowed to take communion ther!

 

[Tantum_ergo]

Consequently, if we were to partake of communion in the catholic church, that would mean we were in agreement with all of their doctrine, right? Now I don’t feel so bad about not being allowed to take communion ther!

See, I live to make you feel better.

But yes, that is exactly what communion is to us. I only wish that more Catholics who think themselves ‘entitled’ to receive but are not in a state of grace, or who profess their ‘Catholicism’ while dissenting from various teaching, would be as respectful and understanding as you, and refrain from partaking unworthily! Praise the Lord!

We really are not so far apart as you might think, because I believe that both of us truly wish for unity as Christians, and I think that both of us understand the importance of Christ and His teachings. The only difficulties we have are that we have some differences of opinion about just what some of those are and how to go about doing His will. But I think that when you are ‘sure’ you understand, you are both ready and eager to do His will to the best of your ability. And I think that I–in my Catholic way–also am sure that I understand, and am ready and eager to do His will to the best of my ability. And since God knows our mind and heart, He will most certainly be the very best Judge of all that either of us (and all the rest of humanity for that matter) do, , ,

 

[PJM]

=1beleevr;6680268]I don’t remember Him saying,“Teach them catholic doctrine,”, more like , “teaching them ALL the things that I have taught you.” And the bread and wine never physically become the Body and Blood of Christ; which would make ti like our communion! But, you do feel the very strong presence of Jesus, when partaking of communion; very humbling!

And that friend is why?

Could it be that the words “Trinity” and “Catholic” were not yet introduced?

“The Way” became “Christians” an “Christians” became known as today’s Catholics.

How can we be sure of this?

The NT has nearly 100 references to One Church, One Faith, One Bible AND

When the OT Bible was was collected it was by the CC

When the NT was written it was by all Catholic Authors, members of that same CC

When the Canon of the Bible was firmly set and sealed with the guidence of God the Holy Spirit it was that same CC [Early fifth century]

It would be another 500 years before the GREAT Eastern Schism [same Catholic Church]

It would be about 1,000 years before the Kings James Bible

Sooooo, the CC was the ONLY “Church” in existence at he time.

What to then the WORDS OF JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF MEAN?

“This Is My Body; This is My Blood” Matt. 26:26-28; Mk. 14: 22-24; Lk. 22:24; Paul 1 Cor. 11: 23-29 and these words from **John chapter six.502-56 **

[50] This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that a man may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live for ever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh."
The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” **So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you; he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. **[55] **For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.” **

So tell me friend because FIVE NT Bible authors disagree with you as does God Himself!

Did God lie?

Was God just not saying what he meant read John 6:67-69 and 1 Cor. 11:27-29] before you answer. [Is that even possible?]

It it more likely that your right and God an FIVE NT authors are wrong?

And yes; I’ll be happy to explain John 6:63; ONE verse not understood; and HOW MANY ARTICULATE and SPECIFIC verses that can’t be logically misunderstood?

Love an prayers,

Pat

 

[PJM]

=1beleevr;6680861]I was invited by my catholic co-worker to join him at his parish for mass. He lined out a laundry list of do’s and don’ts, so that I would be prepared! He said, and quite emphatically, “You may not partake of communion, or put holy water on youurself!” Jesus did not specify where one was to be saved, nor how or how often to partake of communion! He merely said, as often as you do this, do it in remembrance of me! Believe it or not, Jesus will meet you wherever you are. You don’t have to be in Church! And communion is as often as you feel the need!

Yes BUT!

It is FACTUALLY ONLY the Real Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ within the Catholic Church. Notice to whom Jesus was speaking when He uttered the words: "DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME."

Matt. 26: 20-23, and 26-28

**v. 20-23 **"19] And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the passover. When it was evening, he sat at table with the twelve disciples; and as they were eating, he said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” And they were very sorrowful, and began to say to him one after another, “Is it I, Lord?”

**v. 26-28 ** [26] Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”

Luke 22:19-20 "And he took bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you. **Do this in remembrance of me.” ** And likewise the cup after supper, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood”

So your Catholic co-worker was correct about Communion; however Holy water is not a “Sacrament” but a “sacramental” meaning something holy that reminds us of a Sacrament. As a BAPTIZED Christian you could use the Holy water, which is to remind us Cathoics both of our Baptism and of Christ Passion.

Love and prayers,
Pat

 

[Gerry_Hunter]

It seems that whenever this discussion comes up, there is a tacit assumption that the practices around reception of the Holy Eucharist are fairly recent things. They are not. Consider this quote:

Because this bread and wine have been made Eucharist (“eucharisted,” according to an ancient expression), "we call this food Eucharist, and no one may take part in it unless he believes that what we teach is true, has received baptism for the forgiveness of sins and new birth, and lives in keeping with what Christ taught.

There it is. Requirements for belief, and baptism, and faithfulness. The quote is from the First Apology of St. Justin, written around 155 AD. It is clear from its tome that at the time of writing, it was an established practice, not a new innovation, even then.

These practices are not there to exclude anybody. They are there so that long standing requirements for reception can be met. Suggestions that they are there for the purpose of exclusion are, on the showing of history, nonsense.

Blessings,

Gerry

 

[jmcrae]

That in itself does not make it catholic doctrine! Jesus’s words apply to ALL human beings, and those that choose to obey, reap the benefits of salvation and eternal life!

The reason the Church is called “Catholic” (which means “all the world”) is because all human beings are supposed to become Catholics, in order to be with Jesus forever.

Jesus said “Go out into Katholikos and teach them all things” - meaning - go to the whole world and teach them all things. Catholic Church = all the world so far who has accepted Jesus and been taught by His apostles.

By what may seem like a coincidence, only the Catholic Church is a world-wide church. The rest of them may have “branches” in other countries, but they are Greek, English, Russian, German, Scottish, etc.

Only the Catholic Church is truly universal.

 

[1beleevr]

The reason the Church is called “Catholic” (which means “all the world”) is because all human beings are supposed to become Catholics, in order to be with Jesus forever.

Jesus said “Go out into Katholikos and teach them all things” - meaning - go to the whole world and teach them all things. Catholic Church = all the world so far who has accepted Jesus and been taught by His apostles.

By what may seem like a coincidence, only the Catholic Church is a world-wide church. The rest of them may have “branches” in other countries, but they are Greek, English, Russian, German, Scottish, etc.

Only the Catholic Church is truly universal.

Jesus’s words don’t tell me to be catholic to be with Him forever; rather they tell me to believe in Him and the One who sent Him!(And of course be baptized) And speaking of communion, why sometimes is the priest the only one drinking the wine? Is this what Jesus did? Doesn’t really matter that the catholic church is world-wide and has lots of money, they too, like many other churches have priests who are subject to sin, like child molestarion, etc.And His apostles died before I was born, so I couldn’t be taught by them!