Sally Quinn, famous non-Catholic communicant, has taken pen in hand to explain herself, after all the controversy surrounding her reception of the sacrament at Tim Russert’s funeral.

She seems chastened by the experience:

In a thoughtful and gently remonstrative piece in America magazine, the national Catholic Weekly, James Martin, S.J. wrote: “So Miss Quinn is quite correct in asking, ‘What would Jesus do?’ It is an important question for all churches to ask themselves. On the other hand…Catholics believe in the ‘real presence’, the actual presence of Christ in the elements of the Eucharist: the bread and the wine. It is a central element of our faith, and reception of Communion is something that a Catholic does not do lightly.” He went on to write:” Even if one doesn’t know this, one would know to act with great care when in the midst of a worshiping community not your own.” Martin’s advice to me: “Giving tribute to a friend may also mean respecting his religions traditions.”

So what have I learned from all of this?

Like most of us, I am searching for meaning in my life, looking for markers from all faith traditions which touch me in a spiritual way. In this moment of loss I felt invited to take part in this sacrament. I fully understand the reverence religions place upon things that are holy or sacred and I try to respect them. I certainly meant no disrespect when I participated in this Holy Communion.

I think that this has been a very good experience, a good lesson for me and for people of all faiths and for those of no faith as well. It has opened a conversation that I think is extremely important. How do you come to understand the beliefs or lack of beliefs of others so that you can be accepting, respectful and sympathetic? A good start would be to study, to learn, to talk to people and to have an open heart and an open mind. That’s what I am trying to do. I highly recommend it.

She gets a few things wrong in the rest of the piece, which I encourage you to read. But I sense sincerity and humility, and those are things in far too short supply these days, in journalism or, for that matter, in the madly spinning world of religion.