Whether It Is Lawful to Abstain Altogether from Communion?
Objection 1: It seems to be lawful to abstain altogether from
Communion. Because the Centurion is praised for saying (Matt. 8:8):
"Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldst enter under my roof"; and
he who deems that he ought to refrain entirely from Communion can be
compared to the Centurion, as stated above (A. 10, ad 3). Therefore,
since we do not read of Christ entering his house, it seems to be
lawful for any individual to abstain from Communion his whole life
long.
Obj. 2: Further, it is lawful for anyone to refrain from what is not
of necessity for salvation. But this sacrament is not of necessity
for salvation, as was stated above (Q. 73, A. 3). Therefore it is
permissible to abstain from Communion altogether.
Obj. 3: Further, sinners are not bound to go to Communion: hence Pope
Fabian (Third Council of Tours, Canon 1) after saying, "Let all
communicate thrice each year," adds: "Except those who are hindered
by grievous crimes." Consequently, if those who are not in the state
of sin are bound to go to Communion, it seems that sinners are better
off than good people, which is unfitting. Therefore, it seems lawful
even for the godly to refrain from Communion.
_On the contrary,_ Our Lord said (John 6:54): "Except ye eat the
flesh of the Son of Man, and drink His blood, you shall not have life
in you."
_I answer that,_ As stated above (A. 1), there are two ways of
receiving this sacrament namely, spiritually and sacramentally. Now
it is clear that all are bound to eat it at least spiritually,
because this is to be incorporated in Christ, as was said above (Q.
73, A. 3, ad 1). Now spiritual eating comprises the desire or
yearning for receiving this sacrament, as was said above (A. 1, ad 3,
A. 2). Therefore, a man cannot be saved without desiring to receive
this sacrament.
Now a desire would be vain except it were fulfilled when opportunity
presented itself. Consequently, it is evident that a man is bound to
receive this sacrament, not only by virtue of the Church's precept,
but also by virtue of the Lord's command (Luke 22:19): "Do this in
memory of Me." But by the precept of the Church there are fixed times
for fulfilling Christ's command.
Reply Obj. 1: As Gregory says: "He is truly humble, who is not
obstinate in rejecting what is commanded for his good." Consequently,
humility is not praiseworthy if anyone abstains altogether from
Communion against the precept of Christ and the Church. Again the
Centurion was not commanded to receive Christ into his house.
Reply Obj. 2: This sacrament is said not to be as necessary as
Baptism, with regard to children, who can be saved without the
Eucharist, but not without the sacrament of Baptism: both, however,
are of necessity with regard to adults.
Reply Obj. 3: Sinners suffer great loss in being kept back from
receiving this sacrament, so that they are not better off on that
account; and although while continuing in their sins they are not on
that account excused from transgressing the precept, nevertheless, as
Pope Innocent III says, penitents, "who refrain on the advice of
their priest," are excused.
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