RIGHT OR PRIVILEGE

The manager of the sports facility had just emerged from his office when he heard the profanity laced shouts emerging from the basketball court, located on the other side of the building. Quickly making his way to the scene, he noticed one of the athletes cursing another one; the situation appeared to be completely out of control. The manager shouted forcefully, “John, stop right now!” Responding to the manager’s command, all the athletes on the basketball court stopped their activity and waited for the manager’s next command. Purposely and with firm conviction, he announced, “John, you are out of here right now.” John countered by noting that he has a right to play on the court as he has paid his dues. With anger in his eyes, the manager barked that John’s right had been forfeited since he broke the rules against using profanity.  “Leave now and you may only suffer a month’s long suspension, which will be lifted if you agree to honor all rules, particularly those concerning profanity.” Grudgingly John accepted that he had indeed violated the agreed upon rules of conducts, knowing that the manager was not someone to trifle with; he left the facility.

The subject of a right or a privilege has frequently surfaced within the Catholic community. In the last few years there has been considerable amount of discussion and disagreement regarding who should be able to receive the Eucharist (Holy Communion). Essentially the debate centers on whether the reception of Holy Communion is a right or a privilege for Roman Catholics. Some argue that it is a right and others argue that it is a privilege. In fact, it may be a right or a privilege depending on the circumstances of the individual.

Individuals who have been instructed in the doctrines of the Catholic faith and have been officially accepted into the faith and have lived in accordance of those doctrines, meaning that they are without serious (mortal) sin seem to have the right to receive the Eucharist. In other words, they are Catholics in “good standing” within the Church. However, those Catholics who have committed serious sin and or who have rejected important doctrines of the church have forfeited the right to receive Holy Communion and should refrain from “taking the Host”, as they are no longer in communion with the church. The privilege and right of receiving the Eucharist have been withdrawn, until they seek forgiveness for their sin. Once they confess their sin, the right to receive the Eucharist is restored.

Similar to the athlete whose outburst of profanity removed his privilege of playing in the athletic facility so also a Catholic loses his right and privilege to receive the Eucharist when he commits serious sin and rejects fundamental teaching of the church on faith and morals.

Obey or Else

It should have been easy to accomplish the request from their father, “Boys clean up your room.” A simple demand by the head of the family; nothing very difficult to do. Yet the boys ignored their father’s simple command and continued to play their games. A second time the father ordered the boys to clean their room; yet they continued to proceed with their own interests. A third time they were sternly advised to do the task assigned to them. Yet they continued to play their video games, ignoring the warning inherent in their father’s demand. Their mother encouraged them to do “as they were told.” Again, they failed to response as demanded. Finally, their father angerly entered the room and striding to the video games, turned them off and grabbed both boys and demanded, “Clean up the room now! Additionally, I will keep all of your video game equipment for the foreseeable future”. The father made it clear to the boys they could not ignore their parents without some serious consequences. They could not cavalierly dismiss the requests and regulations of their parents; there are consequences for their disobedience.

The boys were dismayed at what they considered a severe punishment for a relatively minor infraction. Yet their younger sister understood the real issue. “Guys, the punishment is not solely for the failure clean your room, it was for your failure to obey Dad, despite numerous warnings. Your thoughtless disobedience was what really brought you the harsh punishment.”

Adult men and women frequently put aside the requests and demands of God, not expecting any repercussions. Mankind sins numerous times each day, remaining unconcerned about any negative response from God, inwardly saying that its sins do not really matter, while creating excuses for each sin. As witnessed with the boys and their father in the above story, man will eventually face the consequences of its sins, not just at the time of judgment, but also in this temporal life. While God is all forgiving, He is also just. Justice will indeed be meted out by God, in a manner and time which He determines.

No one knows with any certitude whether the current pandemic, which is catastrophically affecting mankind, has been allowed by God as a punishment for man’s sins – man’s rebellion against God. However, there are consequences for sins….and they cannot be avoided. By failing to obey God, man faces some very serious consequences. Are you ready for the them?

Obey and Honor God …..or suffer the consequences.