Communion On The Hand

[Apotheoun]

[quote name='Raphael' date='03 October 2009 - 10:12 AM' timestamp='1254586370' post='1976710']
As for anyone who wouldn't receive the Lord of the universe because they couldn't receive Him the way they wanted to and had to receive Him a different although perfectly licit way, that's just asinine, even if you don't agree with the reason for the request. If Jesus comes to your home and knocks on your back door, are you going to tell Him you won't let Him in unless He comes around to the front and keeps off the grass? Jesus wants to be with you, but you won't have Him. Jesus calls you, but you have your own plans: "Let the dead bury their dead" (Matt 8:22).
[/quote]
I remember the swine flu epidemic of the 1970s, and the overreaction to it at that time, and more people were actually injured by receiving the flu vaccinations than by catching the flu. The likelihood of getting swine flu from receiving communion on the tongue or on the hand is about the same. If you are really serious about not catching it you need to stay away from Church altogether.

Edited October 3, 2009 by Apotheoun

[Thy Geekdom Come]

[quote name='Apotheoun' date='03 October 2009 - 12:19 PM' timestamp='1254586776' post='1976715']
I remember the swine flu epidemic of the 1970s, and the overreaction to it at that time, and more people were actually injured by receiving the flu vaccinations than by catching the flu. The likelihood of getting swine flu from receiving communion on the tongue or on the hand is about the same. If you are really serious about not catching it you need to stay away from Church altogether.
[/quote]
I'd like to see your evidence for the claim about the likelihood of getting the flu from different sources.

On the vaccination front, I'm not really convinced that vaccinations are good medicine (at least not all the time), so I declined to get it.

[Apotheoun]

[quote name='Raphael' date='03 October 2009 - 10:35 AM' timestamp='1254587728' post='1976720']
I'd like to see your evidence for the claim about the likelihood of getting the flu from different sources.

On the vaccination front, I'm not really convinced that vaccinations are good medicine (at least not all the time), so I declined to get it.
[/quote]
If I wipe my nose on my hand and receive communion, and while receiving communion the priest touches my hand and then touches your hand when giving you communion, you could get the flu. Such is life. To avoid the flu you should avoid those with it entirely, but life does not work that way.

As to sources, I have none, but nor do those who say receiving on the tongue is terribly dangerous. The flu is spread by human contact.

Edited October 3, 2009 by Apotheoun

[Apotheoun]

[quote name='Raphael' date='03 October 2009 - 10:35 AM' timestamp='1254587728' post='1976720']
On the vaccination front, I'm not really convinced that vaccinations are good medicine (at least not all the time), so I declined to get it.
[/quote]
That is your right. My mom is getting one, and I may get one, but hopefully they will have done a better job making the vaccine this time around, because last time it cause a small percentage of recipients to have permanent neuromuscular problems.

[Aloysius]

I'd like to briefly defend those who say they wouldn't receive if it were only offered on the hand. One can make a spiritual communion, of course, and the motivation for not receiving is not some self-centered pride... it's likely a deep humility. many of those who receive on the tongue do so out of deep humility and reverence, and would not feel comfortable holding Christ in their hands because of that deep sense of humility. the act of not receiving in itself would be an act Christ would likely recognize as an act of humility, and I doubt He would fault them for their reasoning. Don't call people's deeply religious humble convictions "asinine". Perhaps it is like St. Peter refusing to have his feet washed... perhaps... or perhaps it is like the Roman soldier who thought himself unworthy for the Lord to enter under His roof... I think it likely to be more like the latter. The spiritual communion is the "only say the word..." part.

Jesus wanted to come be with the Roman soldier, but the Roman soldier refused Him in humility. That's nothing to scoff at.

[GraceUk]

I can see the reasons why this Bishop has made the decision he did. But I also see why some people do prefer not to have communion in the hand if that has never been their custom.

[jeffpugh]

[quote name='Archaeology cat' date='30 September 2009 - 03:01 PM' timestamp='1254337269' post='1974974']
Yes, some of the Bishops in England, my own included, have recommended that people receive on the hand due to the swine flu. It has not been mandated, because it can't be, it's just a recommendation. I still end up receiving on the tongue, because I'm juggling a toddler when I go up to receive, and I have to hold him with one hand, and hold his hands with the other hand (if I don't, he tries to steal a Host). Thankfully the monks are accommodating.
[/quote]
Really? Cause I've seen lots of mothers and fathers trying to hold kids, and they some how are able to stick out there hand then take their other hand to feed themselves the host. It scares me, cause it the parent has to shift focus on supporting the host over supporting the kid. So it may end up one or the other falling :/

[Resurrexi]

[quote name='Aloysius' date='08 October 2009 - 03:48 PM' timestamp='1255034939' post='1981167']
I'd like to briefly defend those who say they wouldn't receive if it were only offered on the hand. One can make a spiritual communion, of course, and the motivation for not receiving is not some self-centered pride... it's likely a deep humility. many of those who receive on the tongue do so out of deep humility and reverence, and would not feel comfortable holding Christ in their hands because of that deep sense of humility. the act of not receiving in itself would be an act Christ would likely recognize as an act of humility, and I doubt He would fault them for their reasoning. Don't call people's deeply religious humble convictions "asinine". Perhaps it is like St. Peter refusing to have his feet washed... perhaps... or perhaps it is like the Roman soldier who thought himself unworthy for the Lord to enter under His roof... I think it likely to be more like the latter. The spiritual communion is the "only say the word..." part.

Jesus wanted to come be with the Roman soldier, but the Roman soldier refused Him in humility. That's nothing to scoff at.
[/quote]

Who was lame enough to take away the +1 I gave to this post.

[aalpha1989]

[quote name='Resurrexi' date='22 October 2009 - 10:18 PM' timestamp='1256264310' post='1989991']
Who was lame enough to take away the +1 I gave to this post.


[/quote]

Solved.

BTW, out of holy obedience the FSSP parish in that diocese is not distributing Communion until the bishop lifts his decree. He applied it to them as well.

[Archaeology cat]

[quote name='Sacred Music Man' date='23 October 2009 - 03:03 AM' timestamp='1256263434' post='1989963']
Really? Cause I've seen lots of mothers and fathers trying to hold kids, and they some how are able to stick out there hand then take their other hand to feed themselves the host. It scares me, cause it the parent has to shift focus on supporting the host over supporting the kid. So it may end up one or the other falling :/
[/quote]
I have held my son and received in the hand, but it was very awkward, and I had to make sure my son didn't try to grab it. So I went back to receiving on the tongue, because I didn't want any mishaps. He gets very excited about Communion now, so it takes 2 hands, one to hold him and one to hold his hand, so I no longer have a hand free anyway.

[Noel's angel]

[quote name='aalpha1989' date='23 October 2009 - 04:22 AM' timestamp='1256264542' post='1989994']
Solved.

BTW, out of holy obedience the FSSP parish in that diocese is not distributing Communion until the bishop lifts his decree. He applied it to them as well.
[/quote]

There's no need to stop. As someone mentioned before, no bishop or priest has the authority to forbid Communion on the tongue. They can advise people to receive in the hand, but they can't make anyone do it.

This has just come in to our parish, and it's utter rubbish. Every time I pass the collection basket, every time I pick up a missalette, every time I touch the pew or a door handle, or dip my fingers in the holy water font, every time I breath, I'm at risk of catching something.
It's funny how priests are so keen to be obedient with this, yet fail to be obedient when it comes to respect for liturgical practices.

[Archaeology cat]

[quote name='Noel's angel' date='24 October 2009 - 07:14 PM' timestamp='1256408090' post='1990716']
There's no need to stop. As someone mentioned before, no bishop or priest has the authority to forbid Communion on the tongue. They can advise people to receive in the hand, but they can't make anyone do it.

This has just come in to our parish, and it's utter rubbish. Every time I pass the collection basket, every time I pick up a missalette, every time I touch the pew or a door handle, or dip my fingers in the holy water font, every time I breath, I'm at risk of catching something.
It's funny how priests are so keen to be obedient with this, yet fail to be obedient when it comes to respect for liturgical practices.
[/quote]
You are very lucky to still have holy water in the font - we don't in our diocese. Of course, I'm now quarantined with flu for the next 4-5 days. And I'm fairly certain I did get it at Mass, since that's pretty much the only place my son and I go. But I'd say I more likely got it from passing the collection bag, or touching the wood of the back of the pew in front of me, or shaking hands with the one older lady who shook hands at the sign of peace (we're not supposed to shake hands now), or touching the missal. I received on the tongue, close to the front of the line, and the priest did not touch my tongue at all.

[Nihil Obstat]

It was interesting. I found a letter from my bishop to all the diocesan parishes. He basically said (and I'm obviously paraphrasing and reading between the lines a bit) "if you're so worried about H1N1, then don't shake people's hands, but don't do something silly like changing Communion."

[Resurrexi]

[quote name='Nihil Obstat' date='24 October 2009 - 04:03 PM' timestamp='1256418189' post='1990772']
It was interesting. I found a letter from my bishop to all the diocesan parishes. He basically said (and I'm obviously paraphrasing and reading between the lines a bit) "if you're so worried about H1N1, then don't shake people's hands, but don't do something silly like changing Communion."
[/quote]

Your bishop sounds like a smart man.

Edited October 24, 2009 by Resurrexi

[Nihil Obstat]

[quote name='Resurrexi' date='24 October 2009 - 04:04 PM' timestamp='1256418297' post='1990773']
Your bishop sound like a smart man.
[/quote]
I've never had reason to think otherwise.