Since (in the eyes of those who apparently control such things) I’m going to hell anyway, let me add to my list of “transgressions” by saying that I agree with how a Roman Catholic handled an issue.
(insert profound gasp here)
You are probably aware of “Wafergate” by now. If you aren’t, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, recently attended the funeral mass of former governor-general Romeo LeBlanc. When communion was served, Harper allegedly pocketed the communion wafer rather than consuming it.
In Protestant circles, this action would have been inappropriate. But Roman Catholics, because of their belief in transubstantiation, would consider it sacrilege. The incident was captured on (stunningly inconclusive) video and immediately the outcries against Harper arose, including accusations of anti-Catholic behavior by the Protestant Harper.
Only one minor issue — he didn’t pocket the wafer; he consumed it.
One of the priests involved in the service, Father Arthur Bourgeois, confirmed what Harper asserted when the accusations started flying — that he did consume the wafer.
Technically, Harper did break Catholic church law by taking communion as a Protestant. And Fr. Bourgeois did note this. He also implied that Harper followed the spirit of the law, and so did not condemn him for his actions. And, Fr. Bourgeois even advised Harper on proper protocol for a Protesant in a Catholic service, should such an occasion arise again.
In short, Fr. Bourgeois did not conceal or back off of his beliefs, but spoke the truth (as he understood it) in love.
Hmmm — speaking the truth in love — almost sounds like a Bible verse.
![Image of The Prodigal God (An Unabridged Production)[2-CD Set]; Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31Jl6fhDLxL._SL75_.jpg "The Prodigal God (An Unabridged Production)[2-CD Set]; Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith")
36 Comments(+Add)
Not really. If he is not Catholic, he is not bound by Canon law.
The priest was just doing his job by informing people that are not properly disposed, that they are not permitted to receive the Eucharist (no matter what they may feel like doing on any given day).
First as an honor and protection of Christ in the sacrament; and second as a concern for the soul of the person involved.
At the risk of creating a tangent… but it is related to the setting of the OP:
I used to assume this was a warning to those in a worship service who were not believers to not take communion because it would bring judgment upon them.
I even knew of people who expressed concern that un-saved family members would take communion.
But, if someone is not in Christ they are already condemned… what more judgment can they be assigned than hell?
Kind of gives a whole new meaning to Jesus in My Pocket
I believe the references in Corinthians are to warn the people not to believe that their picnics can double as the Lord’s Supper.
“At the risk of creating a tangent” #2
Has that ever happened on this blog?
Is does bring up the question about who gets to set the rules on these matters or if anything goes?
I mean if I love Jesus, I ought to be able to eat anyones cracker anywhere I damn well please ….
Closed communion is unbiblical. And church membership, which awards a person saved status, is equally unbiblical. Both are practiced by many Protestants and Roman Catholics alike.
I sure haven’t read that in the bible anywhere. Is it somewhere in the section that says open communion is Biblical ?
Hey, if the Gulf of Mexico can double as a proper baptismal font, that’s not to far of a stretch.
“baptismal font” ?
Like the Jordan River? There is no command that says inspect people’s salvation experience, or denominational affiliation, before they can receive communion. I’m not sure how you could accurately accomplish that anyway.
Rick,
I really do agree with you that we have no business “inspecting” other people’s salvation, for communion or any other reason.
I’m really not trying to get off on a tangent, but I think a very good argument can be made that in can be accomplished (just like in the beginning) biblically in Acts 15.
Rick,
The guide for receiving communion is printed on back of the missalette in pretty much any Catholic church you walk into. You are free to disagree with it; but I think it’s wrong to say that it is a judgement of any Christians “salvation experience”.
Why would any Christian take part of this repeated sacrifice of Christ and worship of an idol (the host)I will never know
Since Christ was sacrificed once for all, I’m with you on that one Pastorboy.
Is this something that goes on at your church ???
While I will rejoice in the day when we (Catholics and Protestants) all eat at the Lord’s Table I do think it important to recognize the other in whatever church setting we are in. When I am at a Catholic Mass I do what is required of me, crossing my arms over my chest so as to receive a blessing from the priest.
I count it an honor that should the same priest visit my parish he would be welcome to partake in full at our Table.
It is not so much the picnics but it is about the disunity that was being displayed with the rich eating more and leaving the poor with little.
Taking communion is about sharing in the unity of Christ. It is to bring people together, demolishing cultural stereotypes our constant desire to segregate and exclude. The one loaf and one cup stands over and against all of that. And as such, Paul says they were taking communion unworthily – in a manner that by their very disunity brings judgment upon themselves.
Hello Chad,
This is not “requirement”, just a sometimes goofy pious practice developed by Americans who like to do things there own way. (ps. I do encourage this when my children are in the priests line
I think your aware that the priest (or layman for that matter) would/should deny the offer; with no slight to your gesture of hospitality intended.
Kinda like if I invited my neighbor over for dinner. I can offer him my best meal and the best wine I’ve got at the time. We can even read the bible and sing songs together; but that doesn’t give him permission to sleep with my wife.
Brett,
by “required” I only mean what is expected – what is hospitable of me to as well as what enables me to participate fully in the worship experience.
And no, I disagree that the priest or layman should deny my offer of the bread and cup. The analogy you suggest (about sleeping with your wife) is not exactly accurate. You see, the “wife” in question (Jesus Christ) is not anyone’s possession. Christ is the sacrifice for the entire world, which includes Jews, Gentiles, male, female, even Catholics and Protestants.
Sure it is! It was my analogy and I meant what I said. May not work for you but so be it. If you want me to be technical about it, I’ll drop the analogies. I am a Catholic and I have faith that Jesus in the blessed sacrament is the “source and summit of the Christian faith”.
If Catholic doctrine on the Eucharist was not true then I’m with Flannery:
Brett,
I love Flannery! She puts to words what I feel in so many vibrant ways.
Perhaps I misunderstood your analogy. I took it to mean you were equating Jesus, the host of the meal, to your wife, whom obviously is close to you and off limits to me.
Jesus is not anyone’s possession (not to say a wife is a husband’s possession, but you get my point). I would be more than pleased to offer you or your priest communion at our Table. The only requirement we have to come to the table is that you desire to love Jesus. Pretty open. I don’t say that about my wife though.
So you respect your neighbors convictions while you are at his house, but you expect him to forget all of his doctrines at your place and adopt your “liberal mumbo jumbo”
?
I don’t expect him to do anything. I simply offer them Christ. If they refuse I will respect their decision to do so. But I offer.
You call that “liberal mumbo jumbo?” I guess it is. I “liberally” offer Christ to all who are hungry and thirst.
Brett, don’t forget I’m one of your few friends on this site. I consider you a brother in Christ. I’m sort of shocked by your tone.
So now you’re mad
Who is this guy
To bake us all in one big pie?
You think I care
Forget it, hon
You’ve just been shot
With your own gun
-Steve Taylor
Chad,
Sorry, tone is hard on a keyboard (i tried to use smiley face). I’m honored to be considered a brother, and I actually like you.
No problem, I don’t alway understand my own thoughts. I meant more in the way that marriage is a sacrament. Commitment to my wife includes the blessing of a beautiful gift, which I do not deserve, but am eternally grateful for.
Kinda like the roman centurion:
“Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed”
ps – I meant “liber mumbo jumbo” affectionately. I promise to not be offended if you call me a conservative hard-liner romanist.
As a former papist, altar boy and seminary student, it is obvious that the rcc preaches another jesus and another gospel. Speaking the truth in love has nothing to do with it, since transubsatantiation is a false teaching. Of course you knew that as this post is just another attempt to stir your stagnant pot. Your hit counter must have been sittting still for too long.
The rcc is a mixture of paganism and politics.
This blog is a good example of what happens when you attempt to crap in a thimble.
I speak “in love”, limp wrist effeminate voice and all.
Brett,
Thanks for the further explanation. That makes more sense.
I hope you also understand that my offering the priest communion is not to force it upon him or that I expect him to take it. Rather, it comes from a very open table theology where I do my best to stand as far out of the way as possible to allow any and all who wish to feast the ability to do so.
If Jesus can share cup with even Judas, knowing full well what he was about to do, I can share the cup with even you Catholics
I knew it. Along with the old Ted Haggard, those who speak the loudest are….well. I figured there was a place from where all of Chris P’s angst comes from.
Chris P.,
It is a shame you will not engage in conversation, since you certainly can turn a phrase.
The visuals of stirring stagnant pot and crapping in a thimble are very good. Though I have no idea how the latter applies to this site.
I think you missed the point of the OP – the issue of communion was really tangential to the point. And while commenters are Roman, I don’t think any of the posters are – so it’s not a “Papist” site.
well, if straight forward unkindness is the mark of godliness, here goes:
Chris P., You’re a real dick.
How’s that?
Enjoy.
i have to admit that, even though i have no idea what it could possibly mean or have to do with this post, the phrase ‘crap in a thimble’ is simple the best phrase i have seen in a thread this week, maybe this year.
i mean it, that is classic, priceless stuff.
Brendt, i think chris p is giving you a run for your funny money…
i’m trying to imagine benedict sitting on a thimble…i wonder if there’s a pic somewhere…lolol…that is funnnnnnyyyyyyy stuffffff……
Chris P (#24):
Kudos for his honesty about his perception of love.
To demonstrate such carelessness about God’s love is reprehensible. The “limp wrsited and effeminate voice” brand of God’s redemptive love is much closer to the truth than the “tablets of Moses” brand.
Chris P.,
Love is not rude.
Your little cut-and-run, drive-by tactics suggests maybe you’re tied a bit too closely to the ways of the world than you care to admit.
Sandman,
Don’t bother quoting Scripture to Chris P. His royal divine majesty is incarnating a new revelation to us all here.
The only way you’ll be deemed “right” in our new god’s eyes is if you lay down, take it up the yang and thank him for his jerky-ness.
Yeah, I know there are some who believe biblical principles apply to everyone but them, but that’s just another high thought that needs to be taken captive.
I just did it again, didn’t I?
Some of you I know have stumbled upon an interesting if not disgusting display of Christianity known as Discerning the World.
There is a new site that I stumbled upon that gives me hope. You may want to check it out:
http://discerningtheworld3.wordpress.com/2009/07/13/the-law-of-love/