Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

To: NYer
I am not Catholic so I am really not understanding the "withholding communion" deal. It has been my Christian upbringing and understand is that communion is between you and God. It is the condition of your heart before God that is what is important at communion. How can another person determine what the condition of ones heart is? Yes, I know we can see a demonstration of what that condition might be, but we are not God and can not know for certain.

Would a Catholic explain to me how you can call for this.

8 posted on 02/18/2009 10:36:51 AM PST by svcw (This maybe my last transmission - God have mercy on us.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]


To: svcw
The Church has always taught that the Bread and Wine, during a true Mass, become the actual Body and Blood of Our Lord. In order to be worthy to receive this most sacred gift, one must be in a state of grace. Remaining in unrepentant sin removes you from grace, and thus, unworthy to eat His Body and drink His Blood.
9 posted on 02/18/2009 10:39:39 AM PST by thefrankbaum (Ad maiorem Dei gloriam)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies ]

To: svcw
Catholics, as other denominations do, practice “closed” communion (in Protestant terms). Being in a state of “grace” means being “one with the universal Church”. If you are out of agreement (i.e. grace), you should not receive the body and blood (communion in Protestant terms). That's the entire 9 yards so to speak. If you cannot in faith accept transubstantiation (as opposed to “remembrance”) of the sacramental elements, then you are not supposed to take communion, either.

If you are not one in the “body of Christ” then you take communion to your own detriment to the extent that you do not receive the fullness of the blessings that are associated with the sacrament.

That means that on matters of faith and morals, you'd better believe and faithfully observe all the commandments and Canon law, or you EXCOMMUNICATE YOURSELF through intractable behavior and being out of communion with the whole.

The pope doesn't bounce anybody out of the church (just as God doesn't bounce anybody out of heaven). They do it to themselves. When they return to the Church, like the prodigal son, they are welcomed with open arms. It isn't like being stood up against the wall with a firing squad.

19 posted on 02/18/2009 11:07:07 AM PST by Constitutions Grandchild
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies ]

To: svcw
The act of receiving Holy Communion inwardly(spiritually) & outwardly(physically)demonstrates one is in true communion with the Catholic church.

certainly, no one on earth knows another persons heart & soul as only God does.
however, certainly Pelosi and Biden (the two highest-level self-proclaiming Catholic political leaders)are not in true communion with the Church through simple observation of their continued contradictory actions.

26 posted on 02/18/2009 11:26:26 AM PST by xhrist ("You don't have a soul. You are a Soul. You have a body. " - C.S. Lewis)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies ]

To: svcw
My personal explanation would be that, when we have communion with God, we are supposed to have a clean heart, or "clean hands". That means having asked for forgiveness, praying, following God's law, confession, examination of conscience, etc. It does not mean we have to be perfect, simply recognize our faults, ask for forgiveness and do better.

It is apart from a Holy Sacrament, it is a very practical way of helping remind people who we are accountable to and the need to be consciencious of our actions because He knows our heart.

I would say murder qualifies for a good confession prior to partaking in Holy Communion with God.

It is the equivalent of attending the Last Supper with Jesus, and showing up stinky, sloppy, with unraveled clothes, and dirty hands. We need to either clean up, or politely decline.

32 posted on 02/19/2009 2:44:07 AM PST by mgist (Thus in Psalm 103, we pray, "Bless the Lord, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, hear)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson