The Solemnity of Corpus Christi
As many who came before me, I too was led to Catholicism through a lengthy period of discernment – since my conception, in fact – in which I would come to understand (eventually) that God was calling me to full communion with Him.
Much is said (bemoaned perhaps?) by non-Catholics about what is mistakenly interpretted to be an exclusion of non-Catholics from the Eucharistic Banquet, but I say this; when I found my home in the Catholic Church I discovered not that I was excluded by any ‘legalism’ thought so often to exist in the Catholic Church, but for the very preservation of my own soul was the reception of the Eucharist withheld from me.
The Church so cared for my soul that they would not participate in the sin it would have been to allow me to receive Jesus without proper formation and a satisfactory understanding of the Real Presence. And Thanks be to God for that!
The Catholic church is a carer of souls, not a mean playmate who deprives you of the sweeties, you so wish to taste. In the time of preparation for my reception of the Eucharist, I could still Adore Him, still make an act of Spiritual Communion … even as my heart physically ached for Him and the tears fell as I waited the agonising wait to make my First Holy Communion aged 35 years.
Rather than the Church deny non-Catholics communion, it is non-Catholics who deny themselves communion. I feel so blessed that I was able to discern God’s will for my life and that I did not resist Him with philosophical argument or theological disparity.
Ignatius, in his letter to the Smyrnaeans, explains just how it is for so many people who deny the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist;
“Take note of those who hold heterodox opinions on the grace of Jesus Christ which has come to us, and see how contrary their opinions are to the mind of God . . . They abstain from the Eucharist and from prayer because they do not confess that the Eucharist is the flesh of our Savior, Jesus Christ, flesh which suffered for our sins and which the Father, in his goodness, raised up again. They who deny the gift of God are perishing in their own disputes. “
Thank you Lord, that I am able to recieve sustainance for my souls’ journey to it’s Heavenly home!
God Bless you!
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Clearly, I approach this the same way as you do, but I’ve always been kind of puzzled by those who feel excluded from the Eucharist. Kh. Frederica Matthewes-Green (a wonderful Orthodox Priest’s Wife and amazing write) once said it in the most phenomenal way for me in one of her books – Communion isn’t only vertical (between you and God) it is horizontal (between you and the other members of the church). So, if you aren’t a member of the church, why would you WANT to participate?
Amen. Amen. Amen. Yes, I have wondered too if you didn’t believe in the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist why would it matter whether or not you received? Could it be that Protestants very deep in their souls do have an awareness of the real presence (without conscious words) and it is that awareness that wants them to be able to receive? Perhaps a kind of soul’s longing that transcends the mind’s ability to understand…just a thought.
I went to a corpus christi mass on Thursday in the cathedral -and it was lovely, though the celebrant (Anglican) laughingly joked that he thought that not too many methodists would be doing the same!
I love the Eucharist but I DO come at the apparent exclusion in a very different way to you – and indeed that’s the subject of my thesis (as I think you know)
One of the things I LOVE here in northern Europe is the so-called Porvoo Declaration. In principle it means that those who signed it (primarily Lutheran and Anglican in Nordic States and England and Ireland) recognise the Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry of others. Moreover the Lutheran and Anglican -and of course Methodist -churches here in Finland welcome “all baptised Christians, that would include you too dear friend.
Jesus invited all kinds of ‘inappropriate’ people to eat with him. One of my favourite stories is Zaccheus (Luke 19) – and in John 6 we see Jesus not only explaining about his flesh and blood, but feeding the 5000 in what can be seen as a pre-enactment of the Last Supper and the Eucharist.
Jesus broke the bread and gave it to his disciples and told them to feed the crowd. The miracle (in this case of multiplication) happened in their hands … but there was no division of who could / could not eat of it. They all ate.
This is in line with Jesus’ interaction with all kinds of people, not only the righteous … the pious … or in C21st terms … the saved …Christians of one label or another. I think we’ve got it horribly wrong!
When we look at the exclusion from the table today is it based on what Jesus did or said? I don’t think so! And yes, we are warned by Paul to do this in a worthy manner, we are also warned (sarcastically) “no doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval!” … God looks at our hearts – that’s the consistent message, and my understanding of that is that no matter what our denomination – God welcomes us the Eucharistic banquet – and excludes no-one who wants to meet with Him.
That’s my 2c worth
UKOK…a lovely reflection on a wonderful feastday…appreciatiation and gratefulness are
burning forth from your words! Alleluia! Thank you,
Lord! We had a wonderful homily at the youth Mass
last evening. The priest LOVES the Eucharist…it
had to be apparent to those young people…it was
to me!
Excellent points and reflections, Mimi, Rosemary and Suzanne!
Lorna, I hope you won’t mind if I address my response in a blog post as I have rather a lot to write and would rather write it as a post so that it doesn’t disappear when I click ’submit comment’.
In the next day or so I’ll have a post up. You’ve made some points that I’d really like to respond to, my friend :-)