Letter To Roseville Lutheran Church
Dear Roseville Lutheran Church,
I am writing you today as a concerned member of your congregation. Recently, I found myself on the doorstep of an old, breath-takingly beautiful cathedral, but I stumbled in only to realize that I, a devout Lutheran, am not allowed to receive communion. My lack of knowledge on the Eucharist and the guidelines the Catholic church has placed on this sacrament lead to a response of hostility and hurt on this particular guideline. I am writing to tell you that my response of hostility and hurt was wrong, and dangerous for me and my faith. To come to this conclusion, you must first understand the history behind Catholic communion, the Catholic view on transubstantiation, acceptance in relation to the Eucharist, the …show more content…
requirement of being in a state of grace and the simple power communion. From there, a simple understanding between you and your Lutheran beliefs and differing Catholic traditions can be reached.
In order to understand the Catholic ideology of a closed alter, you must first grasp the scriptural basics behind the Eucharist. The foundation of the Catholic beliefs on the Eucharist run back to their literal interpretation of the verses on communion. “This is my body given for you, do this in remembrance of me” (1 Corinthians 11:24) has been a controversial verse for centuries, being one of the main pillars for Martin Luther's movement of protestantism. Looking at the Catholic theology, when you receive Holy Communion, you're becoming intimately united with Jesus Christ, He is literally becomes part of you. Also, by taking Holy Communion, you express your union with all Catholics who believe the same doctrines, obey the same laws, and follow the same leaders. This sense of participation in a larger community is why Catholics have a strict law that only people who are in communion with the Church can receive Holy Communion. Thus, only those who are united in the same beliefs are allowed to receive Holy Communion.
One of the primary contributors to the Catholic theology on the Eucharist is Saint Paul, and his letter to Corinth: 1st Corinthians.
Many Catholics would say that much of his letter supports transubstantiation, meaning the bread and wine become the physical body and blood of Christ. This view differs from the Lutheran view of consubstantiation, where the bread and wine are symbols of remembrance. Paul writes, “Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf,” (1 Corinthians 10:16-17). Scholar Patricia Lipperini concurs from this that, “In doing so, he grasps the dynamic, unifying nature of the Eucharist that results in a new existence for Christian believers,” (Lipperini 1) The early Catholic church ignored this relationship, and placed greater emphasis on the ‘real presence’ of Christ in the elements, this movement encouraged an individual relationship with God. These two differing ways of thinking was one of the major contributors to the reformation, transubstantiation or consubstantiation. Although this is a major difference between Catholic and Lutheran beliefs, it also contributes to why Catholics take the Eucharist sternly, setting harsher
rules.
Acceptance has become an important part of the contemporary discussion of presence in the Eucharist. This discussion centers around the idea of reciprocity and presence as personal and dependent upon acceptance. What this means is that only when a person accepts and responds to another does the other person become present. In this specific theology, Christ is indeed present independent of a believers not in a static way, but in an active manner, offering himself for us. When talking about communion and acceptance, you must know that Catholic ideology is based on the belief that is to accept Christ's presence in the Eucharist means that individuals accept the transformation that the Eucharist asks of them. Also, following along with this theology is the idea that we must “Discern the body,” (1 Corinthians 11:29). Many Catholic theologians would note that although the individual accepting community comes above all, we must also accept communion as a community. As De Lubac notes, "True Eucharistic piety is no devout individualism... It cannot conceive of the action of the breaking of the bread without fraternal communion," (Lipperini 11.) Acceptance is not only a major topic in the church today to explain what happens when a person is receptive but also as a warning in the Catholic ideology that if your are not receptive while taking communion harmful effects will occur because of the power in the real physical presence of Christ in the bread and wine.
Catholics believe that the Eucharist is the most intimate expression of faith which invites humans to be one with our Lord, and therefore, communion without being in a state of grace is not only dangerous for the visitor but disrespectful to the body and blood of Christ. The New Catholic Encyclopedia explains this as: “Real reception of the Blessed Eucharist requires that the sacred species be received by those who are in a state of grace, with a desire that is accompanied by sentiments of charity, and who have the necessary dispositions.” The Catholic church sites St. Paul for ideology: "Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord." (1 Corinthians 11:27). Catholics also believe that Holy Communion must be received validly and fruitfully, and certain dispositions of both of body and of soul are required. At some churches, a person must be fasting an hour before mass or starting from the previous night from everything in the nature of food or drink. The principal disposition of soul required is freedom from at least mortal sin and ecclesiastical censure. For those in a state of grievous sin confession is necessary. This is the proving oneself referred to by St.Paul (1 Corinthians 11:28). Being in a state of grace is just one requirement to take communion at a Catholic church, this theology backed with centuries of history and biblical scriptures must be viewed with respect.
The Catholic view of communion comes down to a few essential ideas one being, power. In Liam Bergins article From Breaking Jars to Breaking Bread, he identifies not only the power that Jesus has in inviting the disciples to the Last Supper but the power the disciples have in accepting his invitation. For Catholics, the power of the Eucharist is a calling to live prophetic lives. Jesus’ commandment to "Do this in memory of me" (1 Corinthians 11:24) refers to the bread breaking specifically, but it also refers to the foot washing and self giving. This is something that Pope Francis is calling the church to do: "The Eucharist, although it is the fullness of sacramental life, is not a prize for the perfect but a powerful medicine and nourishment for the weak,” (Bergin 350.) Furthermore, the Eucharist, St. Thomas emphasizes, is "a pledge of future glory." This theology is similar to beliefs of the Lutheran church, we are given free choice, and with communion we are entering into a relationship with God.
For Catholics and Lutherans there are many theological differences in the way we interpret the bible and carry out its message. But it all comes down to one thing: we all know Jesus as our Lord and savior and really, that's what matters. From a Lutheran to a Catholic, we are all just trying to grasp at a little part of our God's immense wisdom. Looking at the history behind the closed altar, the debate on transubstantiation, acceptance, state of grace and the power in communion I now can say that I am no longer ignorant to Catholic beliefs. If I walked into that cathedral today, I would no longer be hurt or hostile by the fact that I am not allowed to take communion. I know that my response would be to sit in respect of the Catholic tradition and my fellow Christians, and I hope the same for you.
I am writing you today as a concerned member of your congregation. Recently, I found myself on the doorstep of an old, breath-takingly beautiful cathedral, but I stumbled in only to realize that I, a devout Lutheran, am not allowed to receive communion. My lack of knowledge on the Eucharist and the guidelines the Catholic church has placed on this sacrament lead to a response of hostility and hurt on this particular guideline. I am writing to tell you that my response of hostility and hurt was wrong, and dangerous for me and my faith. To come to this conclusion, you must first understand the history behind Catholic communion, the Catholic view on transubstantiation, acceptance in relation to the Eucharist, the …show more content…
requirement of being in a state of grace and the simple power communion. From there, a simple understanding between you and your Lutheran beliefs and differing Catholic traditions can be reached.
In order to understand the Catholic ideology of a closed alter, you must first grasp the scriptural basics behind the Eucharist. The foundation of the Catholic beliefs on the Eucharist run back to their literal interpretation of the verses on communion. “This is my body given for you, do this in remembrance of me” (1 Corinthians 11:24) has been a controversial verse for centuries, being one of the main pillars for Martin Luther's movement of protestantism. Looking at the Catholic theology, when you receive Holy Communion, you're becoming intimately united with Jesus Christ, He is literally becomes part of you. Also, by taking Holy Communion, you express your union with all Catholics who believe the same doctrines, obey the same laws, and follow the same leaders. This sense of participation in a larger community is why Catholics have a strict law that only people who are in communion with the Church can receive Holy Communion. Thus, only those who are united in the same beliefs are allowed to receive Holy Communion.
One of the primary contributors to the Catholic theology on the Eucharist is Saint Paul, and his letter to Corinth: 1st Corinthians.
Many Catholics would say that much of his letter supports transubstantiation, meaning the bread and wine become the physical body and blood of Christ. This view differs from the Lutheran view of consubstantiation, where the bread and wine are symbols of remembrance. Paul writes, “Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf,” (1 Corinthians 10:16-17). Scholar Patricia Lipperini concurs from this that, “In doing so, he grasps the dynamic, unifying nature of the Eucharist that results in a new existence for Christian believers,” (Lipperini 1) The early Catholic church ignored this relationship, and placed greater emphasis on the ‘real presence’ of Christ in the elements, this movement encouraged an individual relationship with God. These two differing ways of thinking was one of the major contributors to the reformation, transubstantiation or consubstantiation. Although this is a major difference between Catholic and Lutheran beliefs, it also contributes to why Catholics take the Eucharist sternly, setting harsher
rules.
Acceptance has become an important part of the contemporary discussion of presence in the Eucharist. This discussion centers around the idea of reciprocity and presence as personal and dependent upon acceptance. What this means is that only when a person accepts and responds to another does the other person become present. In this specific theology, Christ is indeed present independent of a believers not in a static way, but in an active manner, offering himself for us. When talking about communion and acceptance, you must know that Catholic ideology is based on the belief that is to accept Christ's presence in the Eucharist means that individuals accept the transformation that the Eucharist asks of them. Also, following along with this theology is the idea that we must “Discern the body,” (1 Corinthians 11:29). Many Catholic theologians would note that although the individual accepting community comes above all, we must also accept communion as a community. As De Lubac notes, "True Eucharistic piety is no devout individualism... It cannot conceive of the action of the breaking of the bread without fraternal communion," (Lipperini 11.) Acceptance is not only a major topic in the church today to explain what happens when a person is receptive but also as a warning in the Catholic ideology that if your are not receptive while taking communion harmful effects will occur because of the power in the real physical presence of Christ in the bread and wine.
Catholics believe that the Eucharist is the most intimate expression of faith which invites humans to be one with our Lord, and therefore, communion without being in a state of grace is not only dangerous for the visitor but disrespectful to the body and blood of Christ. The New Catholic Encyclopedia explains this as: “Real reception of the Blessed Eucharist requires that the sacred species be received by those who are in a state of grace, with a desire that is accompanied by sentiments of charity, and who have the necessary dispositions.” The Catholic church sites St. Paul for ideology: "Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord." (1 Corinthians 11:27). Catholics also believe that Holy Communion must be received validly and fruitfully, and certain dispositions of both of body and of soul are required. At some churches, a person must be fasting an hour before mass or starting from the previous night from everything in the nature of food or drink. The principal disposition of soul required is freedom from at least mortal sin and ecclesiastical censure. For those in a state of grievous sin confession is necessary. This is the proving oneself referred to by St.Paul (1 Corinthians 11:28). Being in a state of grace is just one requirement to take communion at a Catholic church, this theology backed with centuries of history and biblical scriptures must be viewed with respect.
The Catholic view of communion comes down to a few essential ideas one being, power. In Liam Bergins article From Breaking Jars to Breaking Bread, he identifies not only the power that Jesus has in inviting the disciples to the Last Supper but the power the disciples have in accepting his invitation. For Catholics, the power of the Eucharist is a calling to live prophetic lives. Jesus’ commandment to "Do this in memory of me" (1 Corinthians 11:24) refers to the bread breaking specifically, but it also refers to the foot washing and self giving. This is something that Pope Francis is calling the church to do: "The Eucharist, although it is the fullness of sacramental life, is not a prize for the perfect but a powerful medicine and nourishment for the weak,” (Bergin 350.) Furthermore, the Eucharist, St. Thomas emphasizes, is "a pledge of future glory." This theology is similar to beliefs of the Lutheran church, we are given free choice, and with communion we are entering into a relationship with God.
For Catholics and Lutherans there are many theological differences in the way we interpret the bible and carry out its message. But it all comes down to one thing: we all know Jesus as our Lord and savior and really, that's what matters. From a Lutheran to a Catholic, we are all just trying to grasp at a little part of our God's immense wisdom. Looking at the history behind the closed altar, the debate on transubstantiation, acceptance, state of grace and the power in communion I now can say that I am no longer ignorant to Catholic beliefs. If I walked into that cathedral today, I would no longer be hurt or hostile by the fact that I am not allowed to take communion. I know that my response would be to sit in respect of the Catholic tradition and my fellow Christians, and I hope the same for you.