A friend approached me today. He noted that the pastor of his parish spent the entire homily this past Sunday discussing the proper procedures for receiving the Holy Eucharist.
His statement to me boiled down to: —He talked about how we should hold out our hands. Why doesn’t he just speak about the Gospel?—
Why indeed!
In reply I said that since, at least in the United States, the Eucharist may be received in the hand in the Roman Catholic Church; pastors must take time to correct improper behaviors.
I also noted that the PNCC doesn’t go in for the ‘communion in the hand bit. Only the ordained may touch the Holy Eucharist (Bishops, Priests, and Deacons). It should also be noted that the PNCC does not have ‘Extraordinary Ministers of Communion’. The PNCC also has regular exposition and benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, at a minimum, on every first Sunday. We stress the dignity and reverence due the real presence of Jesus Christ.
In my opinion ‘communion in the hand’ is a horrid abuse. I will not speak for the Roman Catholic Church on the issue, it is not my place. However, the article —Communion in the Hand, Rethinking Communion in the Hand— by Jude A Huntz from catholic-pages.com does a great job of detailing this issue.
The point about improper behavior and abuse is that it exists where it is allowed. If we stop, before opening the door to situations that might lead to abuse, we have far less to worry about. Once the door is opened it is very difficult to close it.
Whenever we deign to partake of the Bread of Life we should be circumspect, composed, of proper physical and spiritual demeanor. Even the Saints recalled their unworthiness and the care that must be taken in receiving the Eucharist. To wit St. Paul tells us:
—Whoever therefore eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the Body and Blood of the Lord”
I’ve had people come forward for communion in our parish and stand there with their hand out. I simply, quietly, and very gently tell them that I cannot place the Eucharist in their hand. Since we give the Eucharist, Body and Blood, by intinction I ask if they have any health reasons for not receiving the Precious Blood. Regardless of that fact, the Eucharist goes on the tongue.
In my experience only one person has walked away. I also had one person ask me about this at a non-liturgical event. They said they would never go to a church where they cannot get communion in the hand.
Unfortunately, for that Roman Catholic person, they had a very poor understanding and/or education on the fact that ‘communion in the hand’ is not their right. It is in fact an ‘indult’ given to the various dioceses in the United States. They also had a very poor understanding of the concept of the Eucharist. The Eucharist is for them but not for them alone. It is the Bread of Life, entire and complete, for all who partake worthily. The ministers of the altar acting in persona Christi are giving of what they sacramentally represent.
A little Aquinas should help.
Síºmit íºnus, síºmunt mille:
Quantum ísti, tantum ílle:
Nec síºmptus consíºmitur.
Síºmunt bóni, síºmunt máli:
Sórte tamen inæquáli,
Vítæ vel intéritus.
Mors est mális, víta bónis:
Víde páris sumptiónis
Quam sit díspar éxitus.
Whether one or thousands eat,
All receive the selfsame meat,
Nor the less for others leave.
Both the wicked and the good
Eat of this celestial food;
But with ends how opposite!
Here ‘t is life, and there ‘t is death,
The same, yet issuing to each,
In a difference infinite.
To my friend I can only say; remember what you receive is due the utmost in holy dignity and respect.