Last month, the Archbishop of San Francisco singled out a prominent politician by publicly announcing that she was not welcome to receive the Holy Eucharist because of her position on abortion. In response, the Archdiocese of Washington gave notice that this prohibition would not apply within its churches. And since then, an unfortunate public squabble has ensued between bishops and theologians about who should and who should not receive Holy Communion.

As Roman Catholics, we believe that the Eucharist is truly the Body and Blood of Christ. We believe that the Eucharist is the “source and summit of the Christian life (CCC 1324).” And like Pope Francis, we believe in our hearts: “The Eucharist is essential for us. It is Christ who wishes to enter into our lives and fill us with his grace. The Eucharist, although it is the fullness of the sacramental life, is not a prize for the perfect but a powerful medicine for the weak (Evangelii Gaudium, 47).”

One of my best friends likes to tell the story of how he rediscovered his Catholic faith in his mid-twenties. He says that as a young man, he did the things that many young men do. At the same time, he felt drawn to Holy Communion. He felt called to Daily Mass and Eucharistic Adoration. But he did not feel comfortable with the Sacrament of Penance & Reconciliation. He did not yet feel comfortable confessing his sins of “sex, drugs, and rock ‘n roll” to a priest.

So he did the next best thing. He spoke with a nun. Sister Maryann had advanced degrees in theology from a pontifical university. She told my friend to receive and adore the Body and Blood of Christ as often as possible. She promised him that our Risen Lord would eventually beckon him into the confessional. And she was right. Jesus led my friend to confess his sins, do his penance, and dedicate his life to Christian service. It is a beautiful conversion story and it happens more often than you might think.

As a priest for nineteen years, I have never denied the Eucharist to anyone for any reason. Each week, I look into the eyes of hundreds and hundreds of people — sinners all, just like me. How can I know or read the conscience of every person whose cupped hands await the Real Presence of the Merciful Christ? How can I know each person’s heart? Should I deny the Eucharist to every civic leader whose opinions I do not share? Every corporate executive who puts profits ahead of protecting the environment? Every small business owner who fails to offer good health benefits to every employee?

Should we deny the Eucharist to every gossip who spends more time tearing down their parish than helping to build it up? Every married couple who doesn’t bring a sacramental record to the altar? Every single person who doesn’t wear a chastity ring? Should we deny the Eucharist to every parishioner who cannot agree with every single line of the catechism? Or how about every know-it-all who thinks that they are more Catholic than the pope?

In a message to his fellow Catholics in Dubuque, Iowa (see below), Archbishop Michael Jackels writes: “As Jesus said, it is the sick people who need a doctor, not the healthy, and he gave us the Eucharist as a healing remedy; don’t deny people who need the medicine (see Luke 5:31-32).” I don’t know about you, but I don’t have the ability to read hearts or minds. And as a sinner, I need the Bread of Life as much as anyone. I wouldn’t want the Eucharist denied to me. I have no right to deny it to any one of you. After all, as Pope Francis said so simply and profoundly at the beginning of his pontificate: “Who am I to judge?” Amen, Holy Father. Amen.

Reverend James M. Achadinha, Pastor
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: frjim@ccgronline.com

Learn More: Pope Francis & Eucharist
CCGR Weekly Newsletter (6-19-22)
Bringing Home the Word (6-19-22)
The Kids Bulletin (6-19-22)

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Body & Blood of Christ
Scandal and the Healing of the Eucharist

By Archbishop Michael Jackels