That Holy Communion thing again...

"How would Jesus handle the abortion issue, is He were alive today? I dare say Jesus would not be silent on this issue, nor passive. But the Bride of Christ, His Church, has become way too mute on this most important issue."

Christians, who take Holy Communion, know that it is a very special time of the service. For many, it is their favorite sacrament. It is a time to "come clean" with an open and renewed heart, and receive the host. My wife and I have been in many Christian churches, and taken Holy Communion many different ways. But it is always the same in one way - the words of institution are taken directly from the Word of God. 

Last month, we heard of a Catholic parish which refused to serve Joe Biden Holy Communion. Why? Was the priest a Republican? Maybe, maybe not. In any event, that was not the reason. The reason was Joe Biden's loyalty to the culture of death. Death of the innocent unborn. The act of denying this one person Holy Communion for that one reason was simply this - it was the church being the church. 

Many churches today would not do that. Why? Many churches today are bending themselves like pretzels, to try any make the Word of God more acceptable to a sinning world. In other words, many churches today are mistaking the word "grace" for a free for all. Anything goes. And that is wrong. Once churches get away from preaching and teaching the true Word of God, the church is no longer being the church.

One of my favorite bumper stickers I have seen states the following, "You can't be a Catholic and support abortion". True words. The only change I would make is "Christian" instead of "Catholic". Even though Catholics have been leading the fight in protecting the unborn, it is the job of every born again Christian to do the same. 

If it was up to me, every Bible believing church would address the evils of abortion, frequently from the pulpit. Every priest or pastor would make it know prior to the start of the sacrament, that if you supported the killing of the unborn, your heart was not yet ready to receive Holy Communion.

One might ask why more churches are not acting like churches today, especially when it comes to abortion. Here is the truth and it is not pretty. Numbers. With church membership still declining in many denominations, the last thing a church wants is to accelerate that process. So the Word of God often times need to take a back seat to a more gentle message. Something "feel good" like some TV pastors preach on.

How would Jesus handle the abortion issue, is He were alive today? I dare say Jesus would not be silent on this issue, nor passive. But the Bride of Christ, His Church, has become way too mute on this most important issue. That is, until some Catholic parish in the middle of the country denied a former Vice President Holy Communion because of his views on abortion.

How important was this act of denial to the Joe Biden? It made headlines across the country. It should continue to make headlines every Sunday, in every church. Why? That is what churches are suppose to do. Be the church.

For you created my inmost being;

you knit me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Your works are wonderful,

I know that full well.

Psalm 139: 13-14