XIX Posted April 7, 2004 Share Posted April 7, 2004 Because I am still stuck on this one. I've been debating myself pretty heavily on this one. The best reason I can give for justifying it: It seems to me that the disciples, who were clearly the recipients of the Eucharist (Last Supper) and weren't giving it to anyone, they likely grabbed it. As for today, I can't get around this one bit of logic: If you are allowed to eat Jesus, who's to say you can't touch it? It seems a bit contradictory. I mean, if you had your choice between being poked and being licked, say on the elbow, which would you find more intrusive? You see where i'm getting with this? However, by touching the eucharist, maybe you take Jesus's body a little more lightly. Mother Teresa, if I'm not mistaken, said that people touching Jesus's body was the mos horrific thing she saw, or something like that. I forget exactly what she said, or even if it was really her. That's got to count for a lot. And in America, where Jesus in the hand is a little more common, people often take it far less seriously than they should. Conversely, at the Latin masses, it's hard not to respect Jesus. So that's where I am right now. I kind of feel like Jesus on the hand has descecrated the eucharist a bit, at least in the minds of those recieving it. However, I think it's possible to respect the body and blood of Jesus while taking Him on the hand. But overal, I'm really fuzzy I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmotherofpirl Posted April 7, 2004 Share Posted April 7, 2004 Communion in the hand was the practice in the early Church. The Church has returned to this early practice, and since the Mass is a discipline, that is fine. The Church determines what is acceptable in her ritual Sacrifice of the Mass, not us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DojoGrant Posted April 7, 2004 Share Posted April 7, 2004 I (just last Sunday) switched to receiving on the tongue, but only out of personal choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce S Posted April 7, 2004 Share Posted April 7, 2004 It was a PASSOVER DINNER, guys, not a sacrament at that table. They ate, drank four glasses of wine [that is why they all fell asleep in the garden of Gehsemeny, they were bloated and blitzed, the Passover was analogous to our Thanksgiving dinner] It is a meal, and a rememberance of that meal, and holding bread is the normal way to partake of a meal. Passover, eat, feast, remember.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmotherofpirl Posted April 7, 2004 Share Posted April 7, 2004 It was the insitution of the Eucharist. It only started as a passover meal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XIX Posted April 7, 2004 Author Share Posted April 7, 2004 [quote name='DojoGrant' date='Apr 7 2004, 01:51 PM'] I (just last Sunday) switched to receiving on the tongue, but only out of personal choice. [/quote] Me too, at the Feast of St. Joseph. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce S Posted April 7, 2004 Share Posted April 7, 2004 Give me the tongs, more sanitary. And drinking out of a common cup, that is a recepie for communcable disease. [img]http://www.paschabooks.com/images/Liturgical%20Supplies/Chalice%20Sets/CRN-26-2402.jpg[/img] We do little cups individual style, that way there is no risk .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popestpiusx Posted April 7, 2004 Share Posted April 7, 2004 [quote name='XIX' date='Apr 7 2004, 02:43 PM'] The best reason I can give for justifying it: It seems to me that the disciples, who were clearly the recipients of the Eucharist (Last Supper) and weren't giving it to anyone, they likely grabbed it. [/quote] The diciples were Bishops. All ordained are able to touch the sacred species. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willguy Posted April 7, 2004 Share Posted April 7, 2004 Bout two weeks ago I switched to the tounge also. Its funny because people don't expect it of some 17 year old kid. [quote]Give me the tongs, more sanitary. And drinking out of a common cup, that is a recepie for communcable disease.[/quote] If God can turn bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ, He can keep me from getting sick from it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popestpiusx Posted April 7, 2004 Share Posted April 7, 2004 Here are some relevant articles: [url="http://www.aquinas-multimedia.com/catherine/hand.html"]http://www.aquinas-multimedia.com/catherine/hand.html[/url] [url="http://www.unavoce.org/cith.htm"]http://www.unavoce.org/cith.htm[/url] [url="http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Oracle/9463/cith.html"]http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Oracle/9463/cith.html[/url] [url="http://www.catholic-pages.com/mass/inhand.asp"]http://www.catholic-pages.com/mass/inhand.asp[/url] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popestpiusx Posted April 7, 2004 Share Posted April 7, 2004 This is a section of the last article I provided: It is the law of the universal Church in the Latin Rite (to which most of us belong) that we receive Communion in the traditional manner. To receive on the hand is only an "indult," or concession that is in effect here and there. It does not exist in the greater part of the world. For example, for a while it was allowed in the Philippines, but then the bishops there changed their minds, and rescinded the permission. Another way of illustrating this same point is to recall that in those countries where the indult for Communion in the hand has been granted by the Holy See, an individual bishop may forbid the practice. But, no bishop has the authority to forbid the traditional way of receiving Communion: on the tongue. Thus from the point of view of liturgical law, the two are very far from equal. It must be further noted that the relevant legislation "strongly urges and exhorts" us all to receive Communion in the traditional manner, which is officially described as "more reverent." One will search in vain for any encouragement of Communion in the hand on the part of the supreme authority of the Church. Indeed, the only time that it is mentioned in official documents is in a cautionary way. It can be done reverently, but be careful! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce S Posted April 7, 2004 Share Posted April 7, 2004 (edited) [quote]If God can turn bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ, He can keep me from getting sick from it. [/quote] We Penecostals get a bum rap on exactly this when people like to trash the fundies... [quote]Mark 16 17And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; [b]18they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all;[/b] they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well." [/quote] Some fundies believe this, and many pick on them for it, it is the no germ phrase I guess too.... Edited April 7, 2004 by Bruce S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PassionistF Posted April 7, 2004 Share Posted April 7, 2004 I myself also prefer to receive on the tongue. I wasn't particularly concerned until about 3 or 4 months ago when I had returned to my kneeler after receiving the Body of Christ in the hand before consuming, when I noticed some small particles of the Eucharist had remained in my palm. I immediately began to feel concerned about having lost any of the Eucharist, even the most tiny fragment on my way back to our pew. After that, I have tried to remember to receive on the tongue only since. As for concerns about "sanitation", individual cups, communicable diseases, I would offer that if one truly believes that the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ to be present in the Eucharist as well as in the Precious Blood, then one should also conclude that nothing else harmful can be there. If Jesus is present, nothing can harm me. This is what I believe for myself. Others who do not believe in the Real Presence or, who partake in the symbolic bread and grape juice re-enactment, [b][u]should be concerned[/u][/b] in my humble opinion, for their are eating bread and drinking grape juice. So, to me the discussion is mute on that level. I won't argue against someone's right to simply not believe that the God who parts the Red Sea, who sends Manna from Heaven, who makes water gush forth from desert rocks cannot if He chooses, change simple bread and table wine into His Flesh and His Blood. The Cup of precious Blood I might add, does share not only New Testament teaching, but we can also look to Exodus 12:7 and perhaps reflect on how the Blood of the Paschal Lamb (Jesus Christ) is applied "to the two doorposts and the lintel" of one's soul during reception of the Cup of Blessing that we share. Further, in a real action of tribal community recognizing God as their God and they as His people. The tribes of Israel, after receiving God's Commandments from Moses, then sealed their covenant with God (see Exodus 24:3-8). We see that "Moses came to the people and related all the words and ordinances of the LORD, they all answered with one voice, "We will do everything that the LORD has told us." Following this, a sacrifice was offered to God and from that sacrifice, the blood was splashed on the altar that was erected and the remaining blood was sprinkled on the people while Moses stated: "This is the blood of the covenant which the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words of his." (Exodus 24:8). So we as Catholics can see again that we are not merely "locked in time" at the Last Supper. We can also look at the precious and very meaningful offering of blood (recognized by God and His people as life itself) as a means of sealing the Covenant with God. Like in the Mass, we first receive the Liturgy of the Word (Exodus 24:3) and of course move into the Liturgy of the Eucharist where we eat the Lamb (Exodus 12:8) and drink His Blood as our Lord commanded (John 6:53-58). Jesus also recognized the imperfection of the original Paschal meal not because of a failing on God's part, but, do to our failings. And therefore, He offered Himself as the Lamb of God, the New and everlasting Covenant. For me, these tracings back and forth in time and Scripture bring alive to me, the Sacred Mysteries each and every Mass. Certainly, one is free to not partake in the Cup of Precious Blood if one chooses. Bibles in pews are nice, but my Bible is opened in front of my very eyes at every Mass. Because Heaven and Earth, Old and New Covenant, Sacrifice and Meal are very real and very present right before me. And I am called to "assist" and participate by doing more than simply sitting there. I am called to respond at many points of both Liturgies, and to join the Choirs of Angels in proclaiming the Glory of the Lamb of God. Perhaps my reflections would assist those in struggling with issues of "Communion in hand" or partaking of the "Cup of Blessing that we share". I would drink after any of you to prove my love for you and my Communion with you and with God as my mind can go back to the splashing of blood on the altar and on all people of the Tribes of Israel. The Precious Blood of my Lord is there, and we too are "Passover People". "I believe, Lord help my unbelief". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MagiDragon Posted April 7, 2004 Share Posted April 7, 2004 [quote name='Bruce S' date='Apr 7 2004, 03:07 PM'] We do little cups individual style, that way there is no risk .... [/quote] One thing to note on a more practical level: we use wine. Wine has alcohol. Alcohol kills germs. Even if i didn't believe that God would protect me, I would still feel fairly comfortable drinking wine after someone else. oh yeah, my uncle's a doctor and he said that the alcohol content should be quite sufficient for killing bacteria. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thy Geekdom Come Posted April 7, 2004 Share Posted April 7, 2004 [quote] Give me the tongs, more sanitary. And drinking out of a common cup, that is a recepie for communcable disease.[/quote] You'd be surprised how infrequently God allows that to happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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