Easter Homily

Fr Gene,

I enjoyed your Easter homily and thought it was proper to mention to 'inactive' Catholics that they could be in mortal sin if only attending mass when we have red or white flowers. But, I wish you would have went one step further to say if you are in mortal sin, and of course one way is by missing Mass--you can not take communion.

Pope Benedict's addresses this in his latest: POST-SYNODAL
APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION
SACRAMENTUM CARITATIS (http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_ben-xvi_exh_20070222_sacramentum-caritatis_en.html) :

The distribution and reception of the Eucharist
In this regard, I would like to call attention to a pastoral problem frequently encountered nowadays. I am referring to the fact that on certain occasions – for example, wedding Masses, funerals and the like – in addition to practising Catholics there may be others present who have long since ceased to attend Mass or are living in a situation which does not permit them to receive the sacraments. At other times members of other Christian confessions and even other religions may be present. Similar situations can occur in churches that are frequently visited, especially in tourist areas. In these cases, there is a need to find a brief and clear way to remind those present of the meaning of sacramental communion and the conditions required for its reception. Wherever circumstances make it impossible to ensure that the meaning of the Eucharist is duly appreciated, the appropriateness of replacing the celebration of the Mass with a celebration of the word of God should be considered. (153)

Also, of course First Corinthians 11:


quote:

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For as often as you shall eat this bread, and drink the chalice, you shall shew the death of the Lord, until he come. Therefore whosoever shall eat this bread, or drink the chalice of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and of the blood of the Lord. But let a man prove himself: and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of the chalice. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh
judgment to himself, not discerning the body of the Lord.

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I think the Apostle makes it clear that any possible benefit from receiving the Eucharist is more than countered by the great harm one for failing to "discern the body of the Lord."

The Eucharist is a vital part of salvation, but a cavalier attitude toward it is worse than ignorance of it.

Thanks

Gerry