Can A Catholic Attend A Lutheran Service

In anticipation of the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, today's question comes from Lauren, who wonders almost receiving communion from other (non-Catholic) churches. If attending a service where the congregation receives breadstuff and wine but only considers information technology a symbol, Lauren asks if Catholics can receive, since we concur (at that church), it is just a symbol and not the Body and Blood of Christ.

Response

This question implies a lovely and authentic agreement of the Eucharist and what it ways. More normally asked is why under virtually circumstances non-Catholics are not permitted to receive at Cosmic Mass. Since nosotros believe that the substance of the bread and wine changes to the Torso and Blood of Jesus at the induction, while many not-Catholics do not, it understandably follows that they would non participate in the Eucharist at Mass. If the priest proclaims the host "The Body of Christ," their assenting "amen" would lack authenticity.

However, this issue touches on something slightly unlike. If that congregation believes their staff of life is not the Body and if the well-informed Catholic believes the same most that bread (since we don't see it in as consecrated in a Mass by a validly ordained priest), they both seem on the same page, practice they non?

To understand the issue, permit us await at the definition of the discussion communion. The word comes from the same root as "mutual," and implies togetherness, sameness, unity regarding what occurs. While in that location is some union betwixt the two faiths with regard to that host, in that no one in that location believes information technology to exist anything other than bread, they practice not share unity with regards to what it means to intermission bread among Christians. Remember what Scripture tells us about Jesus' words at the Last Supper:

"when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, 'This is my body which is for you lot. Do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way also the cup, later on supper, maxim, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me'" (ane Corinthians eleven:24-25).

He Meant Information technology Literally

Jesus did non simply country that the bread became his Body and the vino became his Blood, he is telling the states to exercise the aforementioned. Nosotros, as often equally we consume and drinkable it, are to remember what he said, that information technology is truly his Torso and Claret. If nosotros eat and beverage bread and wine in this same context, but which is not his Body and Blood, nosotros are non honoring the Lord's request, as we are not recalling his words which proclaimed it his Body and Blood.

Call back, the Torso of Christ is non but what the bread becomes, and information technology is non just the concrete torso used by Jesus when he walked on world. We also believe, as Romans 12 teaches united states of america, that the private members of the Church building are also parts of the one body in Christ. This body, right now, is sadly separated, and thus communion in the body would be impossible equally there is no union of thought with regards to what that body is.

Jesus at that same Last Supper where he instituted the Eucharist, spoke exactly of this, thinking of future generations of Christians: "I do not pray for these [the disciples] only, but likewise for those who believe in me through their give-and-take, that they may all be ane" ( John 17:20-21 ). We are those who have heard, indirectly, through the word of the apostles, who passed the Faith downward from generation to generation. Unfortunately, despite Jesus' prayer to the Father, nosotros are non all ane currently. And to claim a union in the Torso of Christ which does not currently exist would not be speaking the truth.

**It Is The Sacrament**

Catholics too believe that Communion is not just a remembrance, merely a sacrament—indeed the Blessed Sacrament. With regard to this, the Church, in Catechism 844 , teaches:

"Catholic ministers administrate the sacraments licitly to Catholic members of the Christian faithful alone, who likewise receive them licitly from Cosmic ministers alone."

This Canon not only states that only Catholics should receive the Eucharist at Mass, but that the only identify nosotros should receive it is in the presence of a Catholic minister (in this example, a priest, deacon, or Boggling Minister of Holy Communion). By so doing, the Church is protecting the faithful, making it so that we always understand that each time nosotros receive (or, put differently "every bit often equally you eat this bread and drink this chalice"), we are enjoying communion with our brothers and sisters, and in fact with Christ himself, as he intended.

Image by Luke Jones on Flickr.

You May Also Similar:

Corpus Christi: The King(dom) is here!

Christ Spans the Centuries in Eucharistic Miracles: Buenos Aires & Lanciano

A Biblical Walk Through the Mass: Agreement What We Say and Practise in the Liturgy (Book)

A Biblical Walk Through The Mass (Study Plan)