Currently Reading The Imitation Of Christ By Thomas a Kempis see related

<24 December 6.40pm cont.p3.>

A source of a little guilt early on this retreat was partaking of the Eucharist, as it states clearly that the members of other churches that are not fully united with the Catholic church should not partake as the Eucharist is a symbol the unity of the "faith, life and worship". I had been going to the Mass every morning (sans one) because of my prima facie theological belief that we are all fully one in Christ whatever the institutions may say (a belief which I think many of the brothers here would agree with, whatever their institution might say). It did make me feel a little guilty (and does still a little perhaps), wondering whether I was breaking their hospitality thus. It struck me recently however that I don't really claim membership to any one church, Protestant, Catholic or Orthodox. When people ask me that, I always say, I grew up Methodist... but I'm a Christian! Thus, really, although technically I do hold membership in the Methodist church in Malaysia, my allegiance is not to that church, but to Christ and Christ alone, and his church universal. Thus, I feel that as long as I am in a church that I believe to serve our Risen Savior, and one that can see me as a fellow believer, by my participation, I both receive their communion, and validate their standing in the body of Christ.

Besides, my theological positions and stances are really very very close to Catholic dogma in most of the issues that really matter, like the relationship between tradition and Scripture. There are ways at which I part company with their traditions, particularly over the veneration (which practically is almost worship--whatever the technical distinction is) of Mary. I am however, utterly with Wesley when he says something to the effect that, "in essentials unity, in non-essentials freedom, and in everything humility". If my brother wishes to ask Mary to pray for him, or St. Bernard for that matter, I may not particularly think that it is a Scriptural idea, but it is not exactly un-Scriptural either, and it is not something we need to break fellowship over. In all the ways that matter, these beloved monks and all true Catholics are my brothers and sisters in Christ, and my heart is that we will all break our ridiculous pride, and bring our hearts together for the sake of our Savior, whose heart is more broken than we can know over our petty quarrels.

Thus I partake of the sacred body and blood of my Savior here knowing that we all will one day be united before his throne of grace--and hopefully before.