It’s not just a symbol of unity that we eat together because we share belief. By the Holy Spirit’s power, it becomes what the words of consecration say it is — the Body of Christ. Jesus is truly present sacramentally in the host.
Why can’t visitors/non-Catholics receive Holy Communion?
H
ere’s the situation. You’re at a Catholic wedding or funeral and the priest announces the Protestant attendees aren’t allowed to receive Communion. They get upset. They believe in Jesus; why can’t they share
in this sign of unity among believers?
It is true, we are united in our belief in Jesus Christ. However, there are other uniquely Catholic beliefs, which can’t be ignored, that make all the difference. The Sacrament of the Eucharist has several names. In the Catechism of the Catholic Church 1331, we see it called “Holy Communion, because by this sacrament we unite ourselves to Christ, who makes us sharers in his body and blood to form a single body.” At face value, it does seem that believers united to Christ should share in this sign. But what does it mean to be “sharers” in Christ’s “body and blood”? The Catechism also says, “In the most blessed sacrament of the Eucharist ‘the body and blood, together with the soul and divinity, of our Lord Jesus and, therefore, the whole Christ is truly, really and substantially contained.’ ‘This presence is called ‘real’ ...” (CCC 1374) When the
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tive or successful in producing the desired or intended result. The Eucharist is not merely something people partake in to show they’re united in belief. That would make it only a human sign. No, this sign is human and divine, an effective sign that causes the communion it signifies. Saint Augustine said regarding reception of the Eucharist, “Believe what you see, see what you believe, and become what you are: the body of Christ.” When you receive the body of Christ, you become the body of Christ. Additionally, to receive worthily, your life, belief and intention must be in conformity with the sign. If those things don’t match up, it’s a contradiction and countersign. Saint Paul warned the Corinthians not to partake of the Eucharist unworthily. If anyone received without properly discerning, they brought judgment on themselves.
minister says, “The body of Christ,” that’s what he/she means. It’s not just a symbol of unity that we eat together because we share belief. By the Holy Spirit’s power, it becomes what the words of consecration say it is — the body of Christ. Jesus is truly present sacramentally in the host. Beyond that, in responding “Amen,” you affirm belief in that Real Presence, which also affirms belief in everything the Catholic Church teaches and holds to be true. Essentially, every Communion is a profession of faith in the Church. Ma rc But it goes much deeper still. C a rda ro n e l l a CCC 1325 says, “The Eucharist is is the director the efficacious sign and sublime of the office of cause of that communion ...” The Catechesis and word “efficacious” means it’s effecFaith Formation.
Catholic Key • June/July 2022 • catholickey.org
(1 Cor 11:27-29)
So, as you can see, it’s not an insult but a safeguard. There’s a lot unsaid regarding reception of Holy Communion, but nevertheless real. We dearly wish all our Protestant brothers and sisters to join us at the Eucharistic banquet, but without proper belief and intentions, it’s truly problematic — for us but also for them.
CatholicStock/Patrick Dunford Photography
cate ch i s m corner
