An interesting post at WebCommentary entitled: Unapologetic Sally Quinn’s Holy Communion Abuse. Also read Ms. Quinn’s On Faith post on the issue.

This sort of thing really annoys me. Beyond the typical web based religious extremism – we’re right everyone else is wrong/going to hell/some such – it belies an attitude that seems to be more and more prevalent even among members of the R.C. hierarchy. It is a sort of reliance on legalism and the loss of what Ms. Quinn calls for – charity.

Whenever I hear the phrases: We have Canon…, or According to Canon… I cannot help but think of the Chief Priest standing there saying: “We have our law…” (John 19:7).

Agreed that Ms. Quinn didn’t read the directions in the back of the R.C. missalette. Agreed that she didn’t follow “the R.C. rules.” That said I can think of a few better responses, for instance:

Ms. Quinn, let’s talk about the Eucharist. I am so glad to see that you understand that the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus. That’s an inspired understandingSomething some Roman Catholics have trouble believing. You also said that reception of the Eucharist made you “feel” something — a closeness. Did you know that there are two core statements in what you said. That is, the Eucharist changes you through the operation of grace etc. and that the Eucharist does join us together into the Body of Christ, that is all people in heaven and on earth. You know Ms. Quinn, I would like to have more of these discussions with you. You know faith lived — in the sacraments and in community — is the means God provides for us to reach our potential as human beings, building a stronger relationship with God and each other. Let’s start a walk, learning about our understanding of those relationships.

When Ms. Quinn asked the proverbial WWJD question; a good answer would have been: He would talk to you and teach you. He would not accuse you and make it less likely that you would enter a relationship with Him and His Church. Unfortunately she hasn’t received that response at WebCommentary, from other Commentators, or in her com-box.

Opportunities are missed on a human scale — person-to-person. I would love to talk to Ms. Quinn and let her know that there are Catholics (to wit the PNCC) who believe the Eucharist does work miracles in peoples lives. Not the flashy kind – but the kind that build us up to be the people who are the apple of God’s eye (Deuteronomy 32:9-11). If we aren’t watching for the subtlety of God’s way (1 Kings 19:11-13) and are rushing to judgment then we will have a lot more to answer for.