20th Sunday - The Church is for Everyone - Holy Communion

 

This weekend’s Gospel is about the universal acceptance of everyone into the kingdom of God, and it’s about welcoming everyone to our church.

In the Gospel, the Canaanite woman approached Jesus trusting Him to help her daughter. She said, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.” Despite her cries, Jesus did not answer. And then to make matters even worse, Our Blessed Lord said something, that appears harsh. He said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Could it really be He was unconcerned for the woman’s daughter, because she was not a Jew? Perhaps He was expressing what the Jews were thinking? Despite her saying, “Lord help me”, Jesus ignored her, and then said something, that sounds insulting, “It is not right to take the food of the children, and throw it to the dogs.” Was Our Lord really insulting her by calling her and the Canaanites, dogs?

During the time of Jesus, the Jewish people looked down upon the Gentile people, who weren’t Jewish and referred to them as dogs. Again He was making manifest what the Jews were thinking about her. Our Lord was stating, it’s not right to give to her (a non-Jew), what was meant for Jews. Jesus wanted her to know, He must first preach the Gospel to the Jews. The Jews are God’s chosen people. Yet, Jesus wanted to show those present-- Jew and non-Jews are now accepted into His kingdom. She continued pleading, and said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” One of the reasons why Jesus didn’t reply to her immediately was to allow others to see her great faith and her humility, which many Jews didn’t have. He also wanted to show others not only was He concerned for the non-Jews, but they can be an example for the Jews.

Finally, Jesus exclaimed, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” Our Lord rewarded her perseverance by complimenting her unshakable faith and trust--- many of the Jews didn’t have, her daughter is healed and all are led to understand Jesus’ love for everyone.

Today’s Gospel reminds us that kingdom of heaven is for everyone, not just the Jews. And if we put this in a more historical context, we can see that the Kingdom of heaven on earth is the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church is for everyone. The first reading today said, "My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples."
The fulfillment of the Heavenly Father's Divine plan was manifested by our Lord Jesus Christ, the Messiah, who instituted the Holy Catholic Church. The Church is called “Catholic” because the word “Catholic” means universal, it’s for everyone. No matter how great the sinner, no matter what religion someone once professed, all are welcome to become members of the Catholic Church.

If the Catholic Church is for everyone, and welcome’s everyone, then why can’t non-Catholics receive Holy Communion? After all, most non-Catholic churches permit anyone to receive their communion at their service.

First, non-Catholics don’t believe the Eucharist is the real and true body of Christ. They believe it's only a symbol. They believe Jesus comes inside the bread.

Catholics, however, believe the bread and wine is changed into the real body and blood of Christ. It looks like bread, and tastes like bread, but is totally changed into Jesus.

The Catholic Church follows the ancient Christian practice of specific requirements, before one is permitted to receive Holy Communion. Justin Martyr, who died about the year 150, in First Apology said, “Because this bread and wine have been made Eucharist, we call this food Eucharist, and no one may partake in it unless he believes that what we teach is true, has received baptism for the forgiveness of sins and new birth, and lives in keeping with what Christ taught.”

A non-Catholic who does not believe in the Real Presence would not be properly prepared to receive the Eucharist. Also, as indicated by St. Justin, those who receive Communion, must be baptized and believe everything Catholics believe and also live in accord with those teachings.

Non-Catholics don't have Apostolic Succession, meaning they don't have valid Holy Orders, because they don't have the continuous succession of bishops laying on hands from the Apostles unto today. Therefore, even if they were to believe in the true presence, they could not have it because they don't have authority to change bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ.

St. Paul in his letter to the Corinthians gives something else that’s necessary before a person can receive Holy Communion. He said, "Every time, then, you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until He comes. This means that whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily sins against the body and blood of the Lord. A man should examine himself first; only then should he eat of the bread and drink of the cup'' (I Cor 11: 26-28).

St. Paul is reminding the Corinthians, and us, that a Catholic must be in a state of grace to receive holy Communion. For Catholics, if we purposely miss Mass on Sunday, or commit adultery or do some other serious sin, we are to first go to Confession, before receiving Holy Communion. If one receives Communion in mortal sin, one commits a sacrilegious communion, which deeply offends Our Lord, and doesn’t receive any graces from Communion, because their soul is not in the state of grace.

In the book, Jesus Our Eucharistic Love, it speaks about the mystery and joy of receiving Jesus in Holy Communion. It quotes some saints. For example, Pope St. Pius X said, “If the angels could envy, they would envy us for Holy Communion.” St. Madeline Sophie defined Holy Communion, as “Paradise on Earth.” St. Therese of Lisieux said, “I would like to be the chalice and adore the Divine Blood therein. My soul is dearer to Jesus, it is more precious than vessels of Gold.” The author of the book said this about St. Therese, “Oh, how great was the happiness of the angelic Saint when, during an epidemic, daily Communion was given to her.”
In the winter mornings, the mother of a pious young boy, Aldo Marcozzi, wanted him to eat a hot meal before leaving for school. In doing so, however, he would not be able to receive Holy Communion (since in those times fasting was required from midnight, and not for only one hour as it is today). The holy youth would then say to his mother with sorrow: “Mother, you will have to render an account to God for the Communions that you do not let me receive!” Another time a companion asked him if he was not feeling well because he appeared a little sad. Aldo replied, “Today is a bad day for me, because I have not been able to receive Jesus.” Aldo Marcozzi lived only 14 years from 1914 to 1928, but may someday be declared a saint.

St. Bonaventure used to say, “O Christian souls, do you wish to prove your love towards your dead? Do wish to send them a most precious help and golden key to heaven? Receive Communion often for the repose of their souls.”

St. Gemma Gelgani said, “Holy Communion is the feast of love.”

My friends, the Catholic Church, the Holy Mass and Holy Communion is for everyone. But, one must first believe all that we believe, be baptized, be in the state of grace, live out their faith. And those who do, are blessed to be able to receive Jesus in their hearts every time they attend Holy Mass.

Is there any greater time on earth than when we receive Jesus in Holy Communion, when our heart is united to His Heart beating for love of us?