What happened at that service, not so much a good thing. During communion, the dog came forward with the man, and the Reverend gave the dog a communion wafer. This is a holy moment, acknowledging our unity with Christ and his sacrifice for our Salvation. The Reverend was properly corrected by her Bishop, who called it misguided, and she apologized to her congregation.
We're concerned with this view though, of one of congregates: "If a dog goes into a church, he's entitled to every service that's offered, including spiritual nourishment." The Reverend needs to talk to this person, even possibly her whole congregation. If one person thinks something, you can be sure more than one is thinking it. The dog has not accepted our Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior; Communion reflects that, God's sacrifice, and our unity in recognition of that.
We Christians need to pay attention to the sanctity of this most holy of practices. In 2007 in San Fransisco, the "Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence" came forward in garish transsexual clothing and makeup, obviously mocking the holy ceremony, to receive communion. Unfortunately the the Catholic Archbishop of San Francisco gave it. I suspect he was shocked and not thinking clearly, and apologized for demeaning the Eucharist.
Adding to this unfortunate event, there was even a Jesuit Catholic Priest Professor, Rev. Jim Bretzke, that said this was okay. It's against the Catholic Church's teaching about who is to be served the Eucharist. I'm a Protestant, and occasionally attend Mass. I'm deeply touched when the priests bow before the Lord's Table before stepping forward to begin Communion.
On the night when he was betrayed,
Jesus took the bread,
and when he had given thanks,
He broke it and said,
"This is my body which is given for you.
Do this in remembrance of me."
In the same way he took the cup after supper, saying,
"This cup is the new covenant in my blood.
Do this as often as you drink it,
In remembrance of me".
Our Faith is under constant attack, and has been since its inception. We were told that it would be so, always. We must keep this in mind, and recognize when it's threatened or demeaned. Communion is a deep, revered and most spiritual moment; its sanctity and meaning must be protected.
In remembrance of Me eat this bread
In remembrance of Me drink this wine
In remembrance of Me pray for the time
When God's own will is done
In remembrance of me heal the sick
In remembrance of me feed the poor
In remembrance of me open the door
And let your brother in, let him in
Take eat and be comforted
Drink and remember too
That this is my body and precious blood
Shed for you, shed for you
In remembrance of me always love
In remembrance of me don't look above
But in your heart, in your heart
Look in your heart for God
Do this in remembrance of Me
Do this in remembrance of Me
In remembrance of Me
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