From time to time, we find ourselves drawn to liturgical services with others in non-Catholic Christian churches in which Holy Communion is offered. We want to be with loved ones and friends at weddings and at funerals. At times like these, non-Catholic Christians are drawn to come to Masses in Catholic parishes.
Earlier this summer, I celebrated the Funeral Mass for my brother-in-law who died rather unexpectedly. At this Mass, Christians of non-Catholic faith communities were present. As a Catholic priest, I am not free to invite Christians of other traditions to receive Holy Communion at Catholic Masses. This is because according to Catholic teaching, it is assumed that persons who receive Holy Communion share the same Faith with all of its implications. While we continue to pray and to work that all Christians will share fully in one Faith, we are not there yet. Roman Catholics and non-Catholic Christians still have significant, unresolved differences in regard to how we believe that Christ relates to the Church in an on-going way. If non-Catholic Christians were to understand that by receiving Holy Communion at Mass, they are acknowledging that the Pope is the Vicar of Christ to whom the chief teaching office for all Christians has been entrusted in a unique way, then from within themselves, they would refrain from receiving the Eucharist as this is offered at Catholic Masses.
The action of receiving Christ in the Eucharist expresses outwardly the oneness of Christ with His Body, the Church. Sad to say, at times in regard to what the Catholic Church teaches, believes and proclaims to be revealed by God, non-Catholic Christians express a divisive distinction between Christ and the Church. In the eyes of non-Catholic Christians, there are teachings and beliefs of the Catholic Church that are not in accord with the mind and spirit of Christ. Hence, all Christians are not yet fully one.
From time to time as Catholics, we attend liturgical celebrations in non-Catholic worship services within which Holy Communion is offered. As much as I might want to receive Holy Communion at these services, I would be acting in a publicly dishonest manner if I were to do this. To receive Communion in a non-Catholic worship service implies that I would be going along with the conviction to which non-Catholics adhere that at times there is a divisive distinction between Christ and the Church in regard to what the Church teaches, believes and proclaims to be revealed by God. As Roman Catholics, we believe that there is an unbreakable bond between Christ and the Church in regard to what the Church believes, teaches and proclaims to be revealed by God. To acknowledge this does not mean that in our personal lives, Catholics always embody the Christian Way of Life. As Catholics, we are always in need of the Lord’s forgiveness for ways in which we have hurt ourselves, others, the environment and in these ways the Lord Himself.
If Catholics and non-Catholic Christians are honest with ourselves and with one another, hopefully we would all choose at this time not to receive Holy Communion, the Sacrament of unity, at one another’s altars. Let’s continue to keep oneness at the Lord’s Table as a common goal of our on-going development. At the same time, let’s never downplay the importance of our presence for one another in times of joy and in times of sorrow. Our on-going presence and prayers for one another can provide the continuing motivation that enables us to work for that oneness of Faith and Life which is the Lord’s Will for all who truly love Him.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Nelson Beaver – Pastor