It is always difficult to write about traditions other than your own. Indeed the temptation to criticise others is always with us and it can make for amusing reading. But if we are to learn how to live with one another, we need to learn to appreciate each other's beliefs. Beliefs which mean a lot to others might not mean so much to us. We can try to understand and appreciate, but at some level, maybe we cannot bring the same passion to the subject as others might.
Nevertheless it is always important to attempt interpretation for the benefit of others; to try to encourage understanding. Of course I am bound to fail at some level but the effort is worth it. One reason failure is guaranteed is because I am setting out to simplify and to generalise. I am not seeking depth of understanding, let alone the experience of attending the Mass. What I want to show is how those of us who are non-episcopal Christians can at least see a path through the fog.
The piece of information I lacked until a few years ago is that the Mass and Communion are not the same thing. Mass is inclusive; it is Communion which excludes.
The Mass is the liturgy through which the bread and wine are consecrated. Communion is the sharing of the consecrated bread and wine. My own Methodist tradition does not make this distinction. To us the whole process is Communion.
Anyone is welcome to attend the Mass. To attend the Mass is to participate in it. It seems to carry more weight in some traditions than the sharing of the bread and wine. Indeed there are many reasons why Catholics might refrain from Communion but that would not prevent them from attending Mass. I think I'm right in saying the reason why Mass is so important is because in some sense (and theological interpretations seem to vary) the consecrated elements become the body and blood of Jesus Christ. This is not necessarily transubstantiation, that would be a particular literalistic interpretation which I think I'm right in saying is no longer a current theological view.
In whatever sense the elements are the body and blood of Jesus Christ, it is the witnessing of the transformation that is the purpose of the Mass. Once the transformation is concluded, Communion is one thing which can happen to the elements. They can also be venerated. They become a focus for prayer, as they are in a sense the living presence of Jesus. As such they must be disposed of reverently, usually by being eaten. This will be a point I return to in a later post.
So, Mass is unifying insofar as anyone can participate in it. It is Communion which divides. Why is this? The reason seems to lie in the Priesthood. This is another difficulty for non-episcopalians, we do not see a natural link between celebrating communion and priesthood.
In the Catholic Church only an ordained Priest may celebrate the Mass. Communion does not actually require a Priest. So, the reserved sacrament can be used for hospital visits by Deacons, for example. However, the Priest is essential for consecrating the elements and the Priest's authority is derived from his Bishop and the Bishop's from the Pope. To participate in Communion therefore is to acknowledge the authority of the Pope and it is this which prevents sharing between Catholics and Christians of other traditions. In the Catholic Church the ban is not total, anyone may participate in Communion as a one-off in the event of 'eucharistic deprivation' for example. If I cannot get to a Methodist Church I may share in a Catholic Communion. If I make a habit of it though, the Priest will have a word and suggest I consider becoming a member of the Catholic Church.
The Orthodox are in some ways more strict. There are no exceptions under any circumstances. Here I think the allegiance is to the local Bishop as representative of the Orthodox Christians in his Diocese. Like the Catholics, Mass is open to all who wish to attend.
So, that is how I have come to understand the reasons for the main divisions over Communion. I hope I have represented everyone fairly. I welcome comments from anyone who can set me right on any errors but please remember I'm trying to keep it simple.
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