Protestant Taking Communion...

[John the Engineer]

I've been going to Catholic Mass for a little while now, and as I mentioned it in another thread I was asked to start a new thread for this, but I don't take the communion. The reason I don't is because, as I understand it, the bread is believed to be the actual body of Christ, and the wine the actual blood. In my belief the bread and wine (my church does grape juice ) are symbols. There is nothing holy about the bread or the wine unto itself, but it is a symbol, in rememberence as it was said.

I understand where in the scripture the Catholic Church extracts the belief that the bread becomes Christ, as with the wine. Whether the interpretation is right or wrong is not for me to decide, nor for me to judge. The reason I don't take the communion is because I believe I would be taking it as a symbol, and it is offered as the actual Christ.

My girlfriend said I could go (even though I've never done any of the Catholic steps to it), but I told her I would stay. Back then my reasons for not taking it were different, and I won't get into that. But now that I know the true meaning I feel like I would be cheapening it if I did. Not that anyone but me would know of course.

Anyway, not sure if I have any questions regarding it. If I have any of the idea of it wrong feel free to correct me But otherwise comments or such are greatly accepted!

 

[John the Engineer]

Eh, well, I'm going to be the first reply to my own thread (how sad huh?) with a funny story. At my church we use broken pieces of matza bread and grape juice for communion. My pastor doesn't believe in a lot of the mysticism (sp?) of churches and believes that it is our relationship with God that is important, not the things of this world. This doesn't mean he goes throwing bibles on the floor or tearing out pages, but he doesn't consider those sins or shameful. Obviously he would never deface God, but I digress.

When the church first started it was very small, he became pastor with 12 people in the pews. Awhile later the church building was far too small and so he had to do five services so that everyone could come to church. Even with the expansion of the chapel he was still just doing many services every Sunday morning. But because he had to start so early his wife would bring him a bowl of cereal or something from home for breakfast. One morning his wife forgot to bring something and so he sat there talking to someone with one of the communion plates munching on the bread and sipping juice (from a normal cup, we use the little individual communion cups). She looked on in astonishment as he treated what was prepared to be communion as a quick breakfast.

Anyway, just thought I'd share.

 

[Spotty]

Hey John,

You're correct, that you should not recieve Communion provided that you're not Catholic. However, this doesn't mean that we don't hope to see you become that. ;o)

The Church requests that those who believe it symbolic, to refrain from partaking out of respect for Christ and respect for the community in which the Eucharist is consecrated. I recieved before I became Catholic (I was less discerning than you) and felt guilty after I became Catholic a few years later. Now, if you're dying on the otherhand, I believe that special permission can be granted provided certain conditions exist, in which a non-Catholic may recieve the Body of Christ. But that's a different topic.

Have you read much of the early church Fathers on the Eucharist? In particular, the writings of Ignatius (110 AD) the Didache (Teaching of the Twelve - 140 AD) and Justin Martyr (150 AD)? I ask, because from their teachings it is clear that it was never believed to be symbolc. Ignatius refers to it as the bread from Heaven, the medicine of immortality. The Didache refers to it as the medicine of eternity. And Martyr...well...good ol' Martyr:

"For not as common bread and common drink do we receive these; but in like manner as Jesus Christ our Saviour, having been made flesh by the Word of God, had both flesh and blood for our salvation. So likewise have we been taught that the food which is blessed by the prayer of His word, and from which our blood and flesh by transmutation are nourished, is the flesh and blood of that Jesus who was made flesh.



For the apostles, in the memoirs composed by them, which are called Gospels, have thus delivered unto us what was enjoined upon them; that Jesus took bread, and when He had given thanks, said, "This do ye in remembrance of Me, this is My body;" and that, after the same manner, having taken the cup and given thanks, He said, "This is My blood;" and gave it to them alone."

What is interesting in the early Church, is that never once is the issue of Communion mentioned as heretical or worthy of dissertation in a council's meeting. Whether or not transubstantiation (Rome's official teaching on the Eucharist) was fully believed or not is debatable, but what is not debatable is the nature of the Eucharist - that it was real and it was not just symbolic - it was Him.

I would offer more quotes in the 3rd and 4th century's but I'll stick with these for now since they are so early and for that reason alone are important. Take care, John! And keep looking into this!

-Spotty

 

[JillLars]

What if you are not Catholic, but do believe that the Eucharist is the actual body and blood of Jesus? Can you take it then?

I was raised Catholic, and I remember my dad never took communion, no one ever really explained it to me, my dad and mom were married Catholic, but my dad was not brought up Catholic (my mom was.), so I'm assuming that's why he didn't participate, but I don't know.

 

[Dominus Fidelis]

You are right not to take the Eucharist if you don't believe it. You would not only be "cheapening it," you would be commiting a grave sin of taking the Body without confessing your sins in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

 

[Dominus Fidelis]

What if you are not Catholic, but do believe that the Eucharist is the actual body and blood of Jesus? Can you take it then?

I was raised Catholic, and I remember my dad never took communion, no one ever really explained it to me, my dad and mom were married Catholic, but my dad was not brought up Catholic (my mom was.), so I'm assuming that's why he didn't participate, but I don't know.

The Bible says to examine your conscience before eating it, which the Church interprets as having a "clean slate" through confessing your sins and getting forgiveness. If you take the Body with a guilty conscience you are commiting sacrilege.

 

[JillLars]

So for example, say my dad, who was raised protestant, but married in the Catholic church decided that he believed that Communion was actually the body and blood of Christ. If he had a clean slate, would he be able to take communion despite the fact he has not gone through the sacraments (as my mom, and the rest of my family did growing up).

 

[Dominus Fidelis]

So for example, say my dad, who was raised protestant, but married in the Catholic church decided that he believed that Communion was actually the body and blood of Christ. If he had a clean slate, would he be able to take communion despite the fact he has not gone through the sacraments (as my mom, and the rest of my family did growing up).

If he believed it to be, why not come into full Communion with the Church?

 

[Spotty]

You are right not to take the Eucharist if you don't believe it. You would not only be "cheapening it," you would be commiting a grave sin of taking the Body without confessing your sins in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

As I understand it, this (for Catholics) includes only sins which fall into the "mortal" or "deadly" category, as hinted at in 1 John? Venial sins, while they still should be confessed, would not hinder one from recieving. And as there are various levels of both venial and mortal sin, it takes discernment to know if you should recieve. But you know, if you kill someone with no regret then it's a good idea for you to not recieve. But in all seriousness, I have a difficult time discerning mortal from venial in my life, though while I've never done something as heinous as kill someone, I still ask questions as "to this," and "what about this?" But I'm afraid I can be too legalistic at times.

-Spotty

 

[fishstix]

What about the reverse? Is it ok for a Catholic to take communion at a Protestant service? Why or why not?

 

[JillLars]

If he believed it to be, why not come into full Communion with the Church?

I was just asking as a theoretical question, my dad was at one time considering joining the church, but that has now changed since my parents divorced

 

[Dominus Fidelis]

I was just asking as a theoretical question, my dad was at one time considering joining the church, but that has now changed since my parents divorced

I'm not sure.

 

[JillLars]

Thank you for answering my questions defensorfidei! I appreciate it

 

[Dominus Fidelis]

Anytime.

 

[Benedicta00]

No, Catholics can not receive communion in a Protestant Church because when you receive thier communion you are making a statement of faith, that you believe in what they teach. It is a sin on a Catholic's behalf. And any practicing Catholic that would tell a non Catholic it is okay to receive communion simply doesn't know their faith at all.

Catholics have to be free from mortal sin, go to confession and be properly disposed to receive so why would they think a non Catholic who is not properly deposed can receive? They can not for that reason and because when you receive you are saying that you are one with the Holy father and you accept ALL that the Church purposes for our belief and that includes all the teachings even the ones we don't like.

A confirmed Catholic who left the Church can not receive either until they repent for leaving and confess then with the intent to be rejoined with the Church they can receive, IOW if they return to the Church in full repentance. In a unique and I mean a very unique situation one can receive a dispensation from the bishop to receive communion, like for weddings or funeral but that is rare indeed. Other than that, they can not receive. The reason one can not receive is for the good of their souls. You can not receive unworthy and that goes for Catholics too, to do so is to bring condemnation to yourself, not forgiveness.

 

[JillLars]

What constitutes "leaving the church"? I was always under the impression that Catholics did not recognize those who left the church and simply considered them non-practicing Catholics. How is a non-practicing Catholic different than someone who has left the church, is there a difference? What about people who only attend mass once a year (or a couple times)?

 

[Epiphany]

What if you are not Catholic, but do believe that the Eucharist is the actual body and blood of Jesus? Can you take it then?

I was raised Catholic, and I remember my dad never took communion, no one ever really explained it to me, my dad and mom were married Catholic, but my dad was not brought up Catholic (my mom was.), so I'm assuming that's why he didn't participate, but I don't know.

To Life Immortal

I believe that the bread and wine is Lord Jesus, not just symbolic. The Holy Spirit is within the Eucharist. I am Greek Orthodox, but I don't think I can receive sacraments in Catholic Church. I visited the church on 38th street and talked with the priest and he siad you're welcome to visit but you can't receive the Sacraments. I think because we receive it with a spoon both bread and wine together; I'm not sure. I just know I liked visiting the church.

Peace and Long Life
~*~ Epiphany ~*~

 

[Benedicta00]

What constitutes "leaving the church"? I was always under the impression that Catholics did not recognize those who left the church and simply considered them non-practicing Catholics. How is a non-practicing Catholic different than someone who has left the church, is there a difference? What about people who only attend mass once a year (or a couple times)?

You renounce the Catholic faith and sign up with another denomination. You are still Catholic and that will never change but you are in sin according the Catholic perspective, of course those that leave the Church don’t think they are still Catholic or in sin, that is why they left the Church, they do not believe her when she speaks basically, but that is the Church's position on that.

Sadly we have seasonal Catholics and although only the Lord can judge them they are not an example of what it means to be Catholic. They are considered lapsed Catholics. If they receive communion and go to confession at least once a year AND attend mass regularly they are meeting the bare minimum but if you do not go to mass all year long you are in sin all year long. You can attend mass and not receive communion but the minimum is once a year to confess and receive communion. If they go to mass when they feel like it, don't confess and receive communion anyway, they are in sin.

 

[Benedicta00]

To Life Immortal

I believe that the bread and wine is Lord Jesus, not just symbolic. The Holy Spirit is within the Eucharist. I am Greek Orthodox, but I don't think I can receive sacraments in Catholic Church. I visited the church on 38th street and talked with the priest and he siad you're welcome to visit but you can't receive the Sacraments. I think because we receive it with a spoon both bread and wine together; I'm not sure. I just know I liked visiting the church.

Peace and Long Life
~*~ Epiphany ~*~

IIRC, I think we do allow EO but I am not sure. I think the EO doesn’t allow you to recive in the Catholic Church.

If a Catholic does not have another Catholic Church to attend mass at or they need to confess and there is only a EO priest available, they may receive sacraments from their Church. I have no idea if the EO would administer the sacraments to them, but a Catholic in a situation such as that would not be in sin if the only Church around was Orthodox.

The Catholic and the EO Church both have valid sacraments.

 

[Oblio]

To Life Immortal

I believe that the bread and wine is Lord Jesus, not just symbolic. The Holy Spirit is within the Eucharist. I am Greek Orthodox, but I don't think I can receive sacraments in Catholic Church. I visited the church on 38th street and talked with the priest and he siad you're welcome to visit but you can't receive the Sacraments. I think because we receive it with a spoon both bread and wine together; I'm not sure. I just know I liked visiting the church.

Peace and Long Life
~*~ Epiphany ~*~

The reason you cannot receive in a Catholic Church is because part of Mystery of Communion is sharing a common faith with those that partake. This commonality does not exist between EO & RC at this time, perhaps one day it will