Amidst the swarm of e-mails and online petitions surrounding e-bay's allowing the auctioning of hosts, I found this article to have a unique perspective. It certainly did a good job of reminding me that it is my job to protect what is important to me!
There is discussion of "receiving in the hand" as something allowed by the church but not something mandated, and that while not an abuse, it is something that opens the door to sacrilege.
This made me think also of other "indults" and things the church simply doesn't have a position on. For instance, there are some vaccinations that use stem cell lines from aborted fetuses, but the church hasn't taken an official position yet. However, I can't see how that is different from embryonic stem cell research. I was horrified to find out that my child had already received such a vaccine before I knew. I was also horrified to find out that the Catholic schools in my diocese "require" those vaccines; though, I can fill out a conscientious objector type form. It seems like almost an endorsement to me.
I could probably go on, but I wonder if others have thoughts. While the church is black an white on many issues, these grey areas make me realize the great challenge I have as a Catholic parent in "properly forming" the conscious of my children. So much relies on that...
Maybe it's just because I came from a religion (Judaism) without a central authority that governs what you can and cannot believe, but... why would it be preferrable to have any black and white areas dictated to you by fiat from above, except as a means of imposing power on others?
I am Protestant, and in our prayer book it addresses this issue. "For the benefit is great, if with true penitent heart and lively faith we receive that holy Sacrament; so is the danger great if we rceive the same unworthily. Judge therefore yourselves, brethren, that ye not be judged of the Lord;" Auctioning the Elements is unworthy.
God knew you before you were born. He knows what is in your heart. If your child received a vaccination without your knowing it, can he hold you accountable? God loves you and your child.
