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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Is this from one of the "lost books"? | Luke 14:14 | Emmaus | 94018 | ||
Tom, I would not say that you "defiled yourself." I think you made an honest mistake. Receiving Holy Communion in the Catholic Church has several layers of meaning. First one should understand that Catholics believe that the bread and wine actually become in "substance" the true body and blood of Christ, though the "accidents" or physical attributes perceived by the senses remain unchanged. When you recieve Communion in a Catholic Church your are identifying yourself as a Catholic and when the Host is presented to you with the words "the Body of Christ," you respond "Amen" meaning that you agree that it is the Body of Christ and you believe what Catholics teach and believe about the Real Presence of Christ in Holy Communion as well as all its other teachings. If you are not a Catholic and do not believe as Catholics believe, you should not receive Communion in the Catholic Church. Some non- Catholic visitors do not realize this and so they take Communion without realizing its significance. The priest usually does not know everyone, especially at weddings and funerals and so does not know whether someone receiving is a Catholic or not, but presumes they are if they are receiving. It is the responsibility of the host of a visitor to tell his or her guest the rules of Communion. Some do and some do not, feeling it would offend, which I feel is being faint hearted and not being fair to their guest. However, I have experienced and been informed of the same rules at Protestant Churches which practice "closed communion" and I was not offended and did not partake in the communion service. I surmise your family memeber understood the significance of receiving Communion in the Catholic Church, while you did not, and felt you had "defiled yourself" by receiving Communion and thereby indicating you believe what Catholics believe, which that familiy member probably considers idolatry. I could be wrong, but that is my guess. Should you find yourself in a similar situation again, you should probably not go forward for Communion and if it is offered merely decline by shaking your head. No explaination is necesarry and no one will take offense. There are other reasons why even a Catholic might not receive Communion at a Mass. Emmaus |
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2 | Is this from one of the "lost books"? | Luke 14:14 | tomsweetstir | 94070 | ||
Thank you for your generous input concerning my accepting communion at a funeral. You were correct in your assumption - it WAS an honest mistake. One I wouldn't have made had I known what you have shared with me. I appreciate your going the “second-mile” by not only explaining what not to do, but why. Truly, we are blessed by you. P.S. Emmaus, just between you and me, I figure I might becoming too old to be asked as a pallbearer anymore anyway. It seems like all the great-nephews are replacing us older generation of cousins and nephews now-a-days. Shhh. Don’t let on that I "know" I’m too old; less I get some eager volunteers to carry mine. :) |
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