In the latest episode of American Bishops Saying Awful Things, the Archbishop of Detroit has apparently said that supporters of gay marriage should not be allowed to take communion. He is far from the first bishop to say such an outrageous thing, just the most recent.
I am really, really sick of seeing bishops use communion as a weapon. I don't care what social or political point you are trying to make, communion does not belong in the arsenal. No adult who professes a belief in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist should be denied it. Ever. For any reason.
Because if you come right down to it, none of us deserve to receive the Eucharist. I don't deserve it. The congregation around me doesn't deserve it. The priests who consecrate it don't deserve it. None of us are worthy, because we are all sinners. The Eucharist is a gift from God. It is not something that we earn. It cannot be earned. Eucharist is divine, and we are human.
