Non-catholics And The Eucharist

[hopeful1]

how do i explain to non-catholic friends why they can not recieve communion? Also i know that many denomination have different beleifs about what communion really is, but why is it that they can't reciece the eucharist in the catholic church? I'n not sure, i sure it has something to do with "covenant", but i think i also may have heard that in taking it you are implying that you believe in everything the church teaches, correct? Also how do i explain this to evangelical's who believe the only thing that matter;s is faith in christ and everything else is the same?

[Pontifex]

To answer the first part of the question, although we consider Protestants to be our separated brethren, they do remain separated. Some protestants that I know will say to me, "Well, I believe that it is the Body and Blood of Christ, can I receive?" And then I have to ask them, "Well, do you believe that the Pope is the vicar of Christ and do you believe the Catholic Church is the Church that Jesus founded?" Most all of the time they say "no." Then I must tell them that to receive communion would be a contradiction. When the Eucharistic Minister holds up the host and says, "Body of Christ", the one who receives say the words "Amen" or "So be it." The statement is a declaration of two things, that I believe it is the Body of Christ and that by receiving it I am a part of this Body of believers in all of its fullness. It may seem unloving at the surface, but in actuality it is the most real representation of Love there is, for Love makes demands. It calls us to commit our lives in a covenant relationship with God and his people, 100%, holding nothing back.

To your Evangelical friends you can tell them that I said, That really all that matters if faith in Jesus Christ. Faith in him, and in all that he established and created in order to bring us to salvation, namely, the Church, the sacraments, Apostolic Sucession, our Blessed Mother, etc.

I hope this helps.

Fr. Pontifex