During every Mass where there is a probability that some non-Catholic visitors are present, such as during a funeral or wedding, the presiding priest or deacon usually announces that only Catholics and eligible Catholics who are properly prepared are allowed to receive Holy Communion. Those who receive the Body of Christ either on the tongue or in the palm loudly say “Amen” in answer to the words: “The Body of Christ.” This “Amen” which means: “Yes, I confirm that I believe and receive the real Body of Jesus Christ” is necessary and important. We say “Amen” not once a year, but every time we receive the Eucharistic Jesus. This is our profession of faith. This profession is necessary since we must be fully aware of what we are participating in and who we are meeting with. It is not an element of Christian folklore, social behavior, nor historical tradition. This is a personal and intimate meeting with our Lord who wants to be with us, in us, protect us, and lead us to His Father in heaven.

Non-Catholics are welcome to attend Mass, listen to the Word of God, the homily, join in singing, listen to the prayers of the congregation and the presider, but they are not allowed to receive the Body of Christ. They cannot receive the Body of Christ because they cannot say “Amen” with understanding and belief. They cannot profess as Catholics do, that we believe the Consecrated Host is real and not the symbolic Body of Christ.

However, the true profession of faith that the Eucharistic Body of Jesus is the same Jesus, human and divine and who lived 2,000 years ago, could be a real challenge for many. It was a challenge for the Apostles and other disciples themselves, too. Some of Jesus’ disciples after hearing the message of eating his Body and drinking His Blood as a necessary element for eternal life reacted with: “This saying is hard; who can accept it?” And as a result of this, many of them “returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied Jesus” (John 6:60, 66).

We can also be faced with this similar challenge because this belief in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist is fundamental to our faith. I ask you: Do you choose to abandon Jesus or unite yourself with Him and loudly profess your faith with an “Amen”? I encourage you to declare your faith publicly during the Eucharistic Procession, led by Bishop Dennis Spies this Sunday, June 7 on the Feast of Corpus Christi after the 10:00 am Mass.

Unity with the Eucharistic Lord means being a witness of Christian Hope in every aspect of our lives: at work, school, on vacation, during travel, shopping – everywhere.

Fr. Mark Jurzyk