Posted on 04/07/2020 10:21:31 AM PDT by Kaslin
The Public Health measures mandated during the Coronavirus have made it to where healthy individuals who are used to taking communion cannot do so. This begs the question of should loved ones be giving communion to each other at home?
While the deaths and sickness of the Coronavirus are tragic, as is any death, there are larger questions than even death such as “Where is God?”, “What is God trying to teach us during this time?” and “Who is Jesus Christ and what does it mean that He came to save us?”
One of the greatest things that has happened during this time is that the Body of Christ, namely the Church, has been transformed back to the home churches that were common during the early days of the Christian Bible. While there is absolutely nothing wrong with having a church building, a church can remain strong and indeed prosper during times of wilderness. The tabernacle years of The Falls Church Anglican, the church of George Washington, is but one example of this.
Having everything else stripped away is a reminder of what are the foundations that we build our lives on. The effects of the Coronavirus and social distancing are a reminder that while it is important to gather on Sunday, what about the temple in our homes every day of the week? How is Jesus glorified in our actions towards those we are closest to and also online?
A discussion of communion, often known as the Sacrament of the Eucharist, is important for several reasons, practical and theological.
There are many churches who have weekly communion. There are many churches who have bi weekly or monthly communion while some churches seldom practice it. Generally it is the more liturgical churches that have more frequent communion and are faced with the immediate question of what to do regarding home communion. That being said, the longer social distancing requirements take place it is more likely that churches with less frequent communion will also deal with this issue. Finally, we are in Holy Week; the week Jesus Christ made his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, was betrayed and led to the Cross for the sins of the world, and resurrected on Easter. If there is one time that even non liturgical churches think about communion it is during this time.
During Holy Week, on the night he was betrayed, Jesus instituted Holy Communion. The account in 1 Corinthians 11:23 states:
that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, [a]“Take, eat; this is My body which is [b]broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes. (NKJV)
Jesus obviously places a premium on communion, and at the very least said to partake in it in remembrance of Him.
It does not take a priest to administer communion for these are extraordinary times. The Catholic and Orthodox Churches allow for the baptism of a dying person by a layperson. Rome is allowing for confession straight to God due to social distancing requirements. An exception can be made for the Eucharist as well during this time. Precedent exists in Part II, Section 58 of Sacramentum Caritatis, issued by Pope Benedict XVI which calls for frequent communion for the sick who cannot attend mass with regularity.
Further, the Priesthood of all Believers that many Protestants believe in lend credence to allowing communion in normal circumstances, to say nothing of these extraordinary times. This Easter is a perfect time to have home communion during home worship, as it was during the early days of the Church.
The more liturgical churches may learn that this important sacrament does not necessarily need an ordained person to give it to the lay faithful, though communion should never be taken lightly or when in grave sin. Concurrently the less liturgical churches, many of them evangelical in nature, can cast aside their aversion of anything that reeks of linkage to Rome or Constantinople. Different churches and different styles of worship may not only draw closer to Christ but be reconciled to each other, “If it is possible” as St. Paul says, through remembering Jesus.
Jesus Christ is truly the only unifier for the world. He does not discriminate, for His love came for all mankind, though we can accept or sadly even reject that saving grace that is the salvation for our sins. For some, the Eucharist is literally the Body and Blood of Christ, for others Communion is only symbolic while some see it as a powerful mystery between the two viewpoints. Regardless, all mankind needs the saving grace of Jesus Christ and the elements of Communion are at minimum a powerful remembrance of that.
As we remember and praise Jesus Christ, what better time and place to have communion than in our home churches during Easter.
My wife and I have done home communion for as long as we have been married. “As often as you do this...” Nowhere does it say how often to do it, where to do it nor with whom, though we may assume it means with other believers.
The local Catholic church in Copperas Cove, Texas has drive through confession.
The earliest form of communion was just a common meal among church members.
I’m planning on going to confession this afternoon. In the Mary’s Garden at my church. Masks, social distancing. All good.
The local Catholic church in Copperas Cove, Texas has drive through confession.
Not only does that sound like a good idea, that has the makings of a song. I like all the C’s.
Copperas Cove Catholic Church Confessional in my Chevrolet.
Alt. Country.
Most Christians (which is to say, Catholics, Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox), both historically and today, believe that an ordained priest is necessary to celebrate the mystery of the Eucharist, that is to say the words “This is My Body” over the bread and “This is My Blood” over the wine, in order for the bread to become Christ’s Body, and the wine to become Christ’s Precious Blood.
But the author is correct in saying that Communion can be given by anyone, although there is a preference for the ordained, instituted, and appointed (in order of preference), with laypeople generally being allowed to give Communion only in case of necessity. It may not seem that way at ordinary Catholic Masses, where dozens of laypeople come up at Communion time to distribute Communion. But they only do so under claim of “necessity”, and each layperson distributing Communion has the technical title of “extraordinary minister”, and they are only allowed to distribute after appointment by a priest (even if they are appointed, instantaneously, at the same Mass).
..” Rome is allowing for confession straight to God due to social distancing requirements”..
It’s good to see God has some use after all.
I’m rolling.
“To whom shall I speak, and give warning, that they may hear? behold, their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannot hearken: behold, the word of the LORD is unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it” (Jeremiah 6:10).
Makes me wonder about this post-Vatican II church. In the 50s and part of the 60s, I was an alter boy who held the paten under the chin of the recipients because the consecrated host was to be handled only by a priest, and every single particle that might have dropped, had to be caught and put in to his chalice later in the Mass. Why? Because it was the BODY AND SOUL OF JESUS; it was that sacred.
Nowadays you can hold, chew, and eat the host even if you have just had a Big Mac. I was even at a Catholic wedding last year where they had a female alter boy who also was allowed to pass out Communion.
I think the whole thing stinks. Either the host was sacred or it wasn’t. Thank you, Vatican II; and yes, there was a guitar Mass with modern popular love songs sung.
So...normally God doesn't permit that, but He's making an exception now? Did He tell Rome that?
"I really hate what 'Rome' has done to the Church!" (anonymous)
I told you:
(I John 1:8-10)
"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives"
and,
(Heb 4:14-16)
"Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Signed, GOD
P.S. There's SO MUCH MORE that 'Rome' isn't telling you. LISTEN TO ME FOR A CHANGE!"
Amen. Same here. It’s not magic, but an exercise of faith in Him who is able to save by virtue of who He is and what He has done.
Notreligon.
It’s good to see God has some use after all.
I’m rolling.
Straight to God? Without a priest in the middle? Will they go to hell for that? Wow.
Thank you. That is beautiful. That is Truth. I am moved to tears.
"townhall.com" is probably not an authoritative source for Catholic doctrine.
Current day Latin Mass is just as you remember it.
Miss it much
John 20: 21-23
Again Jesus said to them, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, so also I am sending you.” When He had said this, He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you withhold forgiveness from anyone, it is withheld.”
lots of ways to read His Word...
the important part is we confess, repent and ask for His forgiveness...
certainly doesn't break any rules fulfilling this command of His via Roman clergy.
not sure I'd be so brave as to sign "GOD" to your post though ...particularly adding your own uncharitable spin and criticism in a "PS" from Him...
“Say a good Act of Contrition.”
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