Communion Scandal...Should a Bishop Withhold Communion?

As many of you may have heard in the news, the Bishop of Rhode Island asked Representative Patrick Kennedy(D), to abstain from receiving Communion in the Catholic Church. He was asked to abstain several years ago, but Representative Kennedy felt the need to reveal this information this week.

As a Catholic Christian, Holy Communion(Eucharist) is sacred. It is the reason we come together in unity/communion with one another. The Eucharist is our spiritual food. Just as nutritional food nourishes our bodies, the Eucharist feeds our soul! As Catholic Christians, the Eucharist is not a symbol of the body and blood of Christ. We believe in the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, just as Jesus described in John, Chapter 6. Jesus makes no bones about it. He says in verse 55, For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Verse 52 says, whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world. Verses 53 and 54 say, 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... Catholic Christians take these verses literally. But, the big kicker for Rep. Kennedy comes with 1 Corinth. 11:26-29;...Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to answer for the body and blood of the Lord. A person should examine himself, and so eat the bread and drink the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body, eats and drinks judgement on himself.

This brings us to Bishop Thomas Tobin of Rhode Island. Normally the average person's Bishop doesn't know the conscience of every member under his care and therefore, usually doesn't demand such of his flock. But, Rep. Kennedy has made himself a public figure and made his will known through the public record. He has upheld and supported the killing of unborn babies through his public actions and voting record. His conscience has been made known to all and I believe his Bishop has the duty to ask Rep. Kennedy to abstain from eating and drinking judgement upon himself. This Bishop is one brave voice crying out in the wilderness. While other Bishops struggle to find their voice and remain speechless, this Bishop is a true leader.

Rep. Kennedy has several options. He can abstain from receiving Holy Communion...since he is NOT in communion with the Church, he can cease to be a Catholic Christian and continue on with his defective moral beliefs, or he can renounce abortion, ask God's forgiveness, and come forward to receive his Lord and maker. I hope he chooses the latter. The "rights" of some in society, do not justify the killing of others. Along with the accolades of being a congressman, and a Kennedy, come the responsibilites and duties of being a public figure, with a public record. As Rep. Kennedy's grandmother would say, "To whom much has been given, much is required."

The Last Things

Wow...I can't believe it's been over 2 months since I've posted! Needless to say, I've had a busy few months, with school, work, children's activities, the Swine Flu, and keeping the Grandparents well!! Hopefully, I can post at least once a month until school is out...we'll see! I just love this time of year and I guess it got my creative juices flowing. I always like to slip something in here for my non-Catholic friends, to explain my crazy ways!! The Catholic Church runs on a liturgical calendar or cycle...and our lives as Catholic Christians revolve around the Church. For the Catholic Church, it's the end of the liturgical year. The beginning of the year starts with Advent on Nov. 29th of this year. But, the scripture readings for Mass and the focus at the end of the year, turns to death, judgement, Heaven, and hell! I know it sounds a little scary, but it gives us time as Christians to reflect upon our lives and how we are living them. Are we prepared to face death and judgement? Are we prepared to meet our Heavenly Father and give account of our daily choices? We also remember those who have gone before us to their Heavenly home. Our precious family members, who have been a witness and example to us. We must choose to model our lives after those who have loved and served the Lord. We recognize that we to are called to be Saints and bear witness to the Gospel. We have to be willing to see our faults and failures and sincerely want to change and grow closer to God! God gives us this great gift through the Church...as the leaves are changing colors, dying, and falling to the ground, as the chill of the Fall wind blows, we to must face our mortality. But, through the Grace of God and our Savior Jesus Christ, we are given a chance to be immortal...to live with him for all eternity.