The one who feeds on me will have life because of me.”
As we continue the “Bread of Life” discourse, in today’s Gospel reading, Jesus ramps up his meaning on eating His flesh and drinking His blood. Many of the Jews were repulsed by this statement. “The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, ‘How can this man give us [his] flesh to eat?” [1] However, the very next verse, Jesus does not back down on his statement. He only presents again more clearly, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.” [2]
Many of the Jews wanted the truth, and Jesus gives nothing but the truth. However, many of the disciples could not handle the truth about the Bread of Life. Even today, many people cannot handle the truth that Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist.
What does Jesus want from his disciples from this dialogue? Ultimately He wants faith. “Our Lord gives no explanation to make the mystery more understandable; one who does not believe in him will not accept any. He wants faith.” [3] He wants faith right now so that when he gives His body and blood first in bread and wine and then later on the cross they will see Jesus is truly in the Eucharist. “That in this sacrament are the true Body of Christ and his true Blood is something that ‘cannot be apprehended by the senses,’ says St. Thomas, ‘but only by faith, which relies on divine authority.’ For this reason, in a commentary on Luke 22:19 (‘This is my body which is given for you.’), St. Cyril says: ‘Do not doubt whether this is true, but rather receive the words of the Savior in faith, for since he is the truth, he cannot lie.’” [4]
Why do we need faith to believe in the Eucharist? “The modern world is perhaps so skeptical about the Eucharist precisely because it too often treats this Sacrament with a superficial and easy-going attitude that is frightening. We need to fall down on our knees, to ask pardon, beg for a lively faith, delve more deeply into our Lord’s words through prayer, adore his Sacrament, and partake of it with trembling and love.” [5]
Who cannot receive the Eucharist? Before getting into who cannot receive and why, we want to stress that the Church’s teaching on this is not just to be a set of rules to be rude or mean to be people, but is to safeguard the souls of the faithful, and to safeguard the source and summit of our faith, our Lord in the Eucharist. The Eucharist is the most important Sacrament because it is the source and summit of our faith as the Catechism teaches us, and it is the only Sacrament that we receive Jesus fully body, blood, soul and divinity, “Because of the gravity of Jesus’ teaching on receiving the Eucharist, the Church encourages Catholics to receive frequent Communion, even daily Communion if possible, and mandates reception of the Eucharist at least once a year during the Easter season. Before going to Communion, however, there are several things one needs to know.” [6]
What are the rules for receiving the Eucharist for a baptized Catholic in good standing with the Church (meaning someone who is not excommunicated and not in the state of mortal sin)?
“Anyone who desires to receive Christ in Eucharistic communion must be in the state of grace. Anyone aware of having sinned mortally must not receive communion without having received absolution in the sacrament of penance.” [7] “A mortal sin is any sin whose matter is grave and which has been committed willfully and with knowledge of its seriousness. Grave matter includes, but is not limited to, murder, receiving or participating in an abortion, homosexual acts, having sexual intercourse outside of marriage or in an invalid marriage, and deliberately engaging in impure thoughts (Matt. 5:28–29). Scripture contains lists of mortal sins (for example, 1 Cor. 6:9–10 and Gal. 5:19–21). For further information on what constitutes a mortal sin, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church.” [8] Think of how long the lines are normally for communion compared to the lines normally for confession: Which one is typically longer? As one priest once said, “Either we are all perfect beings, or we need to be doing some serious examining of our consciences.” The Code of Canon Law says, "A person who is conscious of a grave sin is not to . . . receive the body of the Lord without prior sacramental confession unless a grave reason is present and there is no opportunity of confessing; in this case the person is to be mindful of the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition, including the intention of confessing as soon as possible" [9]. “The requirement for sacramental confession can be dispensed (not required) if four conditions are fulfilled:
(1) there must be a grave reason to receive Communion (for example, danger of death)
(2) it must be physically or morally impossible to go to confession first
(3) the person must already be in a state of grace through perfect contrition, and
(4) he must resolve to go to confession as soon as possible.” [10]
Next, one must believe in the doctrine of transubstantiation. “Transubstantiation means more than the Real Presence. According to transubstantiation, the bread and wine are actually transformed into the actual body, blood, soul, and divinity of Christ, with only the appearances of bread and wine remaining. This is why, at the Last Supper, Jesus held what appeared to be bread and wine, yet said: "This is my body. . . . This is my blood" (Mark 14:22-24, cf. Luke 22:14-20). If Christ were merely present alongside bread and wine, he would have said "This contains my body. . . . This contains my blood," which he did not say.” [11]
The next is we must observe the Eucharistic fast. Canon law states, "One who is to receive the most Holy Eucharist is to abstain from any food or drink, with the exception only of water and medicine, for at least the period of one hour before Holy Communion" [12]. “Bodily demeanor (gestures, clothing) ought to convey the respect, solemnity, and joy of this moment when Christ becomes our guest.” [13] Elderly people, those who are ill, and their caretakers are excused from the Eucharistic fast [14]. Priests and deacons may not dispense one obligated by the Eucharistic fast unless the bishop has expressly granted such power to them. [15]
What are the rules for receiving the Eucharist for non-Catholic Christians? When it comes to other protestant and Christian denominations, the US Bishops have written about this, and the information can be found in many of the Missalettes in a church pew. The short answer is it is almost impossible for any non-Catholic Christian to receive the Eucharist. The main reason is because by receiving Communion the person is saying there is a belief and unity within themselves and the Church, when sadly there is not. They would not be following the scriptures when it says, “Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.” (1 Cor. 10:17). Some Missalettes and or bulletins say something like: "We welcome our fellow Christians to this celebration of the Eucharist as our brothers and sisters. We pray that our common baptism and the action of the Holy Spirit in this Eucharist will draw us closer to one another and begin to dispel the sad divisions which separate us. We pray that these will lessen and finally disappear, in keeping with Christ’s prayer for us ‘that they may all be one’ (John 17:21)."Because Catholics believe that the celebration of the Eucharist is a sign of the reality of the oneness of faith, life, and worship, members of those churches with whom we are not yet fully united are ordinarily not admitted to Communion. Eucharistic sharing in exceptional circumstances by other Christians requires permission according to the directives of the diocesan bishop and the provisions of canon law."
What are the rules for receiving the Eucharist for non-Christians? “The Bishops of the United States have stated, "We also welcome to this celebration those who do not share our faith in Jesus Christ. While we cannot admit them to Communion, we ask them to offer their prayers for the peace and the unity of the human family." The main reason why a non-Christian may not receive the Eucharist is because they have not received the sacrament of baptism. However, if there was extreme circumstance or situation a person could be baptized by another Christian, a priest is not required, and an extraordinary minister bring them Holy Communion as Viaticum.
What can non-Catholics and non-Christians do regarding the Eucharist? There is a prayer called the Act of Spiritual Communion which these groups as well as Catholics who are not able to receive may pray. We believe that Holy Communion is both a physical and spiritual communion with Jesus Christ, if a person is unable for whatever reason to not receive Jesus physically, they can at least receive Him spiritually through this prayer. “My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You.” [16] Most religions believe in experiencing or receiving God spiritually, in the Catholic Church the reception is not only spiritual but physical as well.
Can a priest refuse to give someone the Eucharist? Yes. Although it is rare, if a priest knows that the person is not in the state of grace or is not a Catholic, he may withhold Communion from that person. It is not out of being mean, but out of safety for Jesus and also the safety of that person’s soul.
What’s the danger for a Catholic to receive the Eucharist in the state of mortal sin? As it says in scripture, "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. Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup" [17]. When someone consumes Jesus in the Eucharist in the state of mortal sin knowingly, it is one of the worst things they can do. By receiving the Eucharist in the state of mortal sin a person commits sacrilege. “Sacrilege consists in profaning or treating unworthily the sacraments and other liturgical actions, as well as persons, things, or places consecrated to God. Sacrilege is a grave sin especially when committed against the Eucharist, for in this sacrament the true Body of Christ is made substantially present for us.” [18] The reception of the Eucharist is called Holy Communion. When we receive the Eucharist we are saying we are in “union” with Jesus and His Church. If we are not in “union” with Christ and His Church then receiving Holy Communion would be a lie.
There are some people, who will receive Communion out of fear of what their friends or family may think of them even though they are in the state of mortal sin. This only hurts the person even worse and offends God even more by this action. In one of the earliest documents in the Church (around 70AD), this topic was written and it clearly states: "Whosoever is holy [i.e., in a state of sanctifying grace], let him approach. Whosoever is not, let him repent". [19]
What’s the danger for a protestant Christian to receive the Eucharist in the state of Mortal Sin? Besides what was mentioned above, it is out of their safety and protection of their soul. “Many reject the doctrine of the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Scripture warns that it is very dangerous for one not believing in the Real Presence to receive Communion: ‘For anyone, who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died’ (1 Cor. 11:29–30).” [20]
Are there any exceptions to receiving communion? Yes, there are circumstances when someone who is a non-Catholic may receive Communion from a valid Catholic priest. The first example is when it comes to those who are Eastern Orthodox Christians because we share the same faith when it comes to the sacraments. "Catholic ministers may licitly administer the sacraments of penance, Eucharist and anointing of the sick to members of the oriental churches which do not have full Communion with the Catholic Church, if they ask on their own for the sacraments and are properly disposed. This holds also for members of other churches, which in the judgment of the Apostolic See are in the same condition as the oriental churches as far as these sacraments are concerned". [21] Obviously, those that are Eastern Orthodox should follow the guidelines of their own church when concerning the reception of Communion in the Catholic Church.
For Protestants, it is more limited for them to receive Communion, but it is still possible under certain specifically defined circumstances. Canon law explains: "If the danger of death is present or other grave necessity, in the judgment of the diocesan bishop or the conference of bishops, Catholic ministers may licitly administer these sacraments to other Christians who do not have full Communion with the Catholic Church, who cannot approach a minister of their own community and on their own ask for it, provided they manifest Catholic faith in these sacraments and are properly disposed". [22] “It is important to remember that, under the rubrics specified above, even in those rare circumstances when non-Catholics are able to receive Communion, the same requirements apply to them as to Catholics.” [23]
What does the Eucharist do for me? Many people think that receiving or not receiving the Eucharist is no big deal. This cannot be farther from the truth. First, it forgives us of our venial sins. For mortal sins we must receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The Eucharist also strengthens our charity and keeps us from future sins. “Holy Communion separates us from sin. The body of Christ we receive in Holy Communion is ‘given up for us,’ and the blood we drink ‘shed for the many for the forgiveness of sins.’ For this reason the Eucharist cannot unite us to Christ without at the same time cleansing us from past sins and preserving us from future sins…As bodily nourishment restores lost strength, so the Eucharist strengthens our charity, which tends to be weakened in daily life; and this living charity wipes away venial sins. (Cf. Council of Trent: DS 1638) By giving himself to us Christ revives our love and enables us to break our disordered attachments to creatures and root ourselves in him…By the same charity that it enkindles in us, the Eucharist preserves us from future mortal sins. The more we share the life of Christ and progress in his friendship, the more difficult it is to break away from him by mortal sin. The Eucharist is not ordered to the forgiveness of mortal sins – that is proper to the sacrament of Reconciliation. The Eucharist is properly the sacrament of those who are in full communion with the Church.” [24]
What can cause us to detest sin? What can cause us to never want to hurt our relationship with Christ? In the Act of Contrition we express two reasons. “I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven, and the pains of hell; but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who are all good and deserving of all my love.” [25] We detest sin because dread the loss of heaven, or the loss of a relationship with Jesus. We also detest sin because we love God and do not what to offend or hurt Him. What do we love more, the sin, or our relationship with Jesus?
The Eucharist also gives us a foretaste of Heaven and the banquet we will receive if we go there. “…so too our bodies, which partake of the Eucharist, are no longer corruptible, but possess the hope of resurrection.” [26] Holy Communion unties us with the Lord’s own sacrifice in the Eucharist.
Finally, The Eucharist is the one sacrifice that is being celebrated not just here on earth, but also in heaven. “In communion with and commemorating the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the saints, the Church offers the Eucharistic sacrifice. In the Eucharist the Church is as it were at the foot of the cross with Mary, united with the offering and intercession of Christ.” [27]
There are many other effects that the Eucharist offers that can be found in The Catechism of the Catholic Church.
We take great faith in the true presence of the Eucharist. We speak of all these parameters in receiving the Eucharist not because we want few people to receive Jesus, but to make sure we are in the proper state to receive Him. Each Sacrament was instituted by Jesus Christ and entrusted to the Church. The Blessed Sacrament has been entrusted to the Church and so it is the Church that safeguards its dignity and has the right and authority to establish rules to that effect. It is in order to help us appreciate what we do have, and never take for granted the awesome miracle at every Mass. And if we are not in the state of grace to receive Jesus, we can quickly go to confession to receive His mercy and forgiveness to be brought back in communion with Him both spiritually, but physically in the Eucharist. Let Him bring our souls back to life with the Bread of Life.
[1] Jn. 6:52
[2] Jn. 6:53-55
[3] Divine Intimacy, Pg. 212
[4] CCC 1381
[5] Divine Intimacy pg. 213
[6] http://www.catholic.com/tracts/who-can-receive-communion
[7] CCC 1415
[8] http://www.catholic.com/tracts/who-can-receive-communion
[9] CIC 916
[10] http://www.catholic.com/tracts/who-can-receive-communion
[11] http://www.catholic.com/tracts/who-can-receive-communion
[12] CIC 919 §1
[13] CCC1387
[14] CIC 191 §3
[15] cf. CIC 89
[16] Act of Spiritual Communion
[17] 1 Cor. 11:27–28
[18] CCC 2120
[19] Didache 10
[20] http://www.catholic.com/tracts/who-can-receive-communion
[21] CIC 844 § 3
[22] CIC 844 § 4
[23] http://www.catholic.com/tracts/who-can-receive-communion
[24] CCC 1393-1395
[25] The Act of Contrition
[26] St. Irenaeus, Adv. Haeres. 4, 18, 4-5: PG 7/1, 1028-1029
[27] CCC 1370