Except ye be converted, and become as little children...
Sunday I had the pleasure of returning to a Byzantine-Rite Catholic church. It had been a couple of months since I had the pleasure of attending the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom. I had -- for a variety of reasons -- been attending another Catholic church during that time -- a church of the Syro-Malabar Rite.
While I was there I witnessed something shocking to both conservative Catholics and feminist radicals, alike -- seeing small children; even infants in their mothers' arms -- receiving the Precious Blood of our Blessed Lord, Jesus. Yet what could be more natural than that Christ's Faithful should share His Precious Blood with their children? For me, it was a real joy.
As I say, the opposition to paedo-communion unites conservative Catholics with radical feminists. For paedo-communion turns their worldviews upside down. The conservative Catholic asks, "How one can give the Eucharist to one who doesn't understand what the Eucharist is?" It seems to be a vain and offensive act to do so. The radical feminist is offended in seeing a church that actually treats babies as if they were real people. These two views coming from widely divergent sources stand in clear opposition to the Gospel...
Matthew 18:1-4
For the Eucharist is -- or should be -- a pro-life sacrament. What better way is there to celebrate our children before God and man? Who can doubt that they are God's greatest gift to mankind?
Should one condemn the Church for the blindness of some of Her children? Certainly not! What we can say is that the Rome's position on paedo-communion is not consistent with other, more pro-life positions that the Church has taken. This is hardly surprising in an institution with as long and colorful history as that of the Catholic Church.
In the days since the Second Vatican Council much has changed. Here the Church has a perfect opportunity to restore the apostolic practice. Saint Augustine, it is said, considered paedo-communion to be absolutely essential to the Church. Let us hope that our current pontiff, Benedict, who we understand to be fond of Saint Augustine's views, will do him the honor of restoring this excellent, ancient practice throughout the Western Church.
While I was there I witnessed something shocking to both conservative Catholics and feminist radicals, alike -- seeing small children; even infants in their mothers' arms -- receiving the Precious Blood of our Blessed Lord, Jesus. Yet what could be more natural than that Christ's Faithful should share His Precious Blood with their children? For me, it was a real joy.
As I say, the opposition to paedo-communion unites conservative Catholics with radical feminists. For paedo-communion turns their worldviews upside down. The conservative Catholic asks, "How one can give the Eucharist to one who doesn't understand what the Eucharist is?" It seems to be a vain and offensive act to do so. The radical feminist is offended in seeing a church that actually treats babies as if they were real people. These two views coming from widely divergent sources stand in clear opposition to the Gospel...
At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 18:1-4
For the Eucharist is -- or should be -- a pro-life sacrament. What better way is there to celebrate our children before God and man? Who can doubt that they are God's greatest gift to mankind?
Should one condemn the Church for the blindness of some of Her children? Certainly not! What we can say is that the Rome's position on paedo-communion is not consistent with other, more pro-life positions that the Church has taken. This is hardly surprising in an institution with as long and colorful history as that of the Catholic Church.
In the days since the Second Vatican Council much has changed. Here the Church has a perfect opportunity to restore the apostolic practice. Saint Augustine, it is said, considered paedo-communion to be absolutely essential to the Church. Let us hope that our current pontiff, Benedict, who we understand to be fond of Saint Augustine's views, will do him the honor of restoring this excellent, ancient practice throughout the Western Church.
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