The Roman Catholic Archbishop of St. Louis said, in response to a question, that if presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani, or any other candidate, “had been admonished” for violating church doctrine, he would turn that candidate away from communion.  In the case of Giuliani – and Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) during the last presidential election cycle – the archbishop objects to his history of supporting abortion rights.  When asked about his response to a candidate’s support of the death penalty or pre-emptive war, the archbishop replied, “It’s a little more complicated in that case.”

Why is it more complicated?  Both run up against the commandment, “Thou shalt not kill.”  Maybe it’s because those being killed “in that case” are “bad guys,” or “the enemy.”  Maybe the archbishop feels they deserve to be killed, despite Jesus’ teaching to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”   I guess the archbishop’s idea is to allow everyone to be born, and we’ll sort out later who we want to keep around.  I presume he has a vote in the decision.

Flippant characterizations aside, I’m not intent on criticizing the archbishop.  But the notion of denying access to communion doesn’t compute in my mind.  To me, communion is not a reward or something that people earn the right to deserve.  It’s not up to me, or anyone else, to turn someone away from the table to which Christ invited them.

My perception is that Jesus said, “Remember me when you eat and drink together” precisely because he knew we would falter, he knew we would be tempted to uncritically embrace the ways of the world.  Jesus knew spiritual strength is found when believers come together for communion, and that in remembering him we also remember who we are called to be.  It seems to me, we need to encourage people to share in communion rather than keep them away.

If we included only those who “deserved” to approach the table, there wouldn’t be much need for bread and grape juice -- just enough for those who make the rules.  The biblical image of a heavenly feast would become a sad, ironic joke.