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A blog of a Catholic father and husband, struggling to work out his salvation with fear and trembling in the People's Republic of Massachusetts.
Ad Majoriem Dei GloriamTM
TM - Obligitory Latin Phrase for a Catholic Blog(translation)
Monday, April 26, 2004
Current Events
One of the current events sweeping the Catholic blogosphere is John Kerry and whether or not he should receive Communion. Some people might wonder what the big deal is. Well the issue is fairly simple, he should not receive Communion. Communion in the Catholic and Orthodox Churches is the reception of Jesus Christ, body and blood, soul and divinity and it is a BIG DEAL. Nobody is truly worthy. In fact before reception, Catholics repeat a line from the Gospels, "Lord I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed." It is not that John Kerry is a sinner. We are ALL sinners, the recent scandal in the Church has made that all too clear. But reception of the Eucharist is for those Catholics who profess to believe all that the Church teaches, who are trying with God's grace to lead lives of holiness(notice I said trying), and who are in a state of grace. Being in a state of grace means that either you have not committed any mortal sins or if you have, that you have been to confession. If a Catholic is aware that they do not meet these criteria, then they are obligated to not present themselves for Communion. It is clear that John Kerry does not meet these criteria. The Church's position on abortion is clear, it is the direct killing of an innocent human life. If a person supports abortion, then they are obstinately refusing to believe all that the Church teaches.
Since Jesus told Peter and the Apostles, "He who hears you hears me", and the Pope and the bishops are the successors of Peter and the Apostles, they speak with the authority of Christ. Catholics are bound by this authority. No one is forced to be Catholic. If you do not believe all that the Church teaches, you may leave and join a church more to your liking. But many, John Kerry and Ted Kennedy included, want to have their cake and eat it too. They want to claim to be Catholic but deny many of the central teachings of the Church. They have been given the moniker CINO(Catholic In Name Only).
It is not the sinning that makes someone a CINO, I have already said that all are sinners. It is the refusal to admit your sin. The difference between CINO's and other Catholics is that when other Catholics sin, they repent and seek forgiveness, but CINO's not only do not repent of their sin, they celebrate it. Then they blaspheme the Lord, by receiving Him unworthily.
As Archbishop O'Malley has said that Catholic politicians who support abortion dare not present themselves for Communion. Well John Kerry has dared, what will the bishops do about it?
One of the current events sweeping the Catholic blogosphere is John Kerry and whether or not he should receive Communion. Some people might wonder what the big deal is. Well the issue is fairly simple, he should not receive Communion. Communion in the Catholic and Orthodox Churches is the reception of Jesus Christ, body and blood, soul and divinity and it is a BIG DEAL. Nobody is truly worthy. In fact before reception, Catholics repeat a line from the Gospels, "Lord I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed." It is not that John Kerry is a sinner. We are ALL sinners, the recent scandal in the Church has made that all too clear. But reception of the Eucharist is for those Catholics who profess to believe all that the Church teaches, who are trying with God's grace to lead lives of holiness(notice I said trying), and who are in a state of grace. Being in a state of grace means that either you have not committed any mortal sins or if you have, that you have been to confession. If a Catholic is aware that they do not meet these criteria, then they are obligated to not present themselves for Communion. It is clear that John Kerry does not meet these criteria. The Church's position on abortion is clear, it is the direct killing of an innocent human life. If a person supports abortion, then they are obstinately refusing to believe all that the Church teaches.
Since Jesus told Peter and the Apostles, "He who hears you hears me", and the Pope and the bishops are the successors of Peter and the Apostles, they speak with the authority of Christ. Catholics are bound by this authority. No one is forced to be Catholic. If you do not believe all that the Church teaches, you may leave and join a church more to your liking. But many, John Kerry and Ted Kennedy included, want to have their cake and eat it too. They want to claim to be Catholic but deny many of the central teachings of the Church. They have been given the moniker CINO(Catholic In Name Only).
It is not the sinning that makes someone a CINO, I have already said that all are sinners. It is the refusal to admit your sin. The difference between CINO's and other Catholics is that when other Catholics sin, they repent and seek forgiveness, but CINO's not only do not repent of their sin, they celebrate it. Then they blaspheme the Lord, by receiving Him unworthily.
As Archbishop O'Malley has said that Catholic politicians who support abortion dare not present themselves for Communion. Well John Kerry has dared, what will the bishops do about it?
Orbitrek