Holy Communion - Is it just a symbol?(3/30/2019)
"Whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.
Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup." (1 Cor 11:27-28).
Is the Holy Eucharist literally, the body and blood of Jesus Christ or is it a symbol as described by a popular television character?
If you agree with the latter, there is no reason for you to partake in the sacrament of Holy Communion.
If you take the position of the former, you may be not be worthy to receive Communion.
In 2006, the United States Catholic Bishops published a document titled, Happy Are Those Who Are Called To His Supper, listing that Communion is for Catholics who:
- Went to confession in the past year, at least, or after they committed a serious sin
- Fasted for an hour first refraining from food and drink
- Are wearing "modest and tasteful dress" - "clothes that reflect our reverence for God and that manifest our respect for the dignity of the liturgy and for one another
- Are in a recollected and prayerful state of mind
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops states that you are not supposed to receive Holy Communion if you are in the state of mortal sin.
According to the St. Thomas Aquinas Forum of Catholic Theology mortal sins are the most serious and grave sins.
A person who commits a mortal sin is one who knows that their sin is wrong, but still deliberately commits the sin anyway (What is mortal sin? http://www.saintaquinas.com/mortal_sin.html).
Since we are all sinners, I am willing to submit that the vast majority of Catholics receiving Holy Communion on Sunday are in the state of mortal sin. Mortal sins must be confessed in Sacrament.
Just compare the lines for Saturday confession with the lines to receive Communion on Sunday. The difference makes my point.
Pope John Paul II spoke about the crisis in the confessional. In 2002, the Pope stated that people in a state of sin should not be partaking in this Blessed Sacrament (Catholic Vote, https://www.catholicvote.org/popes-clearly-say-who-can-and-cant-receive-communion/).
Archbishop Charles Chaput states in his book Render Unto Caesar, "Far too many receive communion unthinkingly, reflexively, with no sense of the urgent need for their own self-examination, humility, and conversion".
"Worse, too many Catholics receive the body and blood of Christ even when they ignore or deny the teachings of his church."
According to the "Aparecida Document" edited by Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, who is now Pope Francis.
"We should commit ourselves to 'eucharistic coherence,' that is, we should be conscious that people cannot receive Holy Communion and at the same time act or speak against the commandments,
in particular when abortion, euthanasia, and other serious crimes against life and family are facilitated.
This responsibility applies particularly to legislators, governors, and health professionals." (Catholic Vote; https://www.catholicvote.org/popes-clearly-say-who-can-and-cant-receive-communion/)
Below are few examples of mortal sins that prohibit Catholics from receiving the Holy Eucharist (http://www.saintaquinas.com/mortal_sin.html):
Deliberate failure of the Sunday obligation
Yes, this includes holy days of obligation. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: "The Sunday Eucharist is the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice.
For this reason the faithful are obliged to participate in the Eucharist on days of obligation,
unless excused for a serious reason (for example, illness, the care of infants) ... Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave sin" (No. 2181).
In my own case, I occasionally miss Sunday mass. This often occurs in the summer when I partake in long bike rides that consume the entire morning.
Does confessing my sin offer retribution when I know darn well that on the next Sunday morning with nice weather I will be out pedaling the bicycle? I think not.
Jesus forgave sinners but said, "Go, and from now on do not sin anymore" (John 8:11).
Many offer the excuse that work commitments prohibit them from attending mass on holy days. Let's set aside the fact that many Catholic churches have evening mass.
Since most Catholics take vacation time for recreational activities, should they not use this time to fulfill their holy day of obligation as well?
Adultry
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states the following: "Adultery refers to marital infidelity.
When two partners, of whom at least one is married to another party, have sexual relations - even transient ones - they commit adultery" (CCC #2380).
Jesus also condemned it by teaching that not only is committing of the act sinful, but also the desire for it.
His teaching was clear: "Everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matthew 5:28).
Taking the Lord's name in vain
What are the first words that come out of your mouth when your cut off in traffic or your favorite team makes a bad play or you accidentally hurt yourself?
If you respond by use of the Lords' name then you are not eligible for receiving Holy Communion. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, "The Lord's name is holy.
Man will not introduce it into his own speech except to bless, praise, and glorify it."
Killing
This is not limited to murder. Abortion, euthanasia, drug abuse, gluttony, and alcohol abuse all constitute killing.
This my friends includes voting for political candidates who support the killing of the unborn as well as actually committing an abortion.
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, just before he became Pope Benedict XVI, wrote to Washington, D.C., Cardinal Theodore McCarrick: "Regarding the grave sin of abortion or euthanasia,
when a person's formal cooperation becomes manifest (understood, in the case of a Catholic politician, as his consistently campaigning and voting for permissive abortion and euthanasia laws),
his pastor should meet with him, instructing him about the Church's teaching, informing him that he is not to present himself for holy Communion until he brings to an end the objective situation of sin,
and warning him that he will otherwise be denied the Eucharist."
All sins can be forgiven; however, mortal sins must be confessed in Sacrament. Jesus told the apostles "Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained" (John 20:22-23).
This means that the apostles and their successors, the priests and bishops of the Catholic Church, can forgive sins in Jesus' name.
A person who is in the state of mortal sin may not receive the Holy Eucharist.
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