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Gift of the Eucharist
Posted on Aug 23 , 2009 in From the Pastor
For us Catholics Eucharist is always a gift; we never “take” it but always “receive” it. In fact the bread and wine and our entire lives are gifts from God. In thanksgiving we return those gifts to God who transforms them and ourselves into the Eucharist and the Church – both the Body of Christ. As we process up to receive the Eucharist our manner ought to convey what we are doing – we are about to receive our Lord in our hands or on our tongue. A bow of the head and a heartfelt, expressive “Amen!” should precede our reception. If on our hands they should be held one on top of the other in the form of a cross and held chest-high. What we are receiving is more precious than gold, as St. Cyril of Jerusalem teaches. If on our tongue our mouths should be opened wide and our tongues not curled down. The choice of hands or tongue is that of the communicant. One is not more “reverent” than the other. It is perfectly permissible for the host to touch our teeth and for us to chew the host. The Eucharist is real food. A misguided piety held that the host should not be chewed. It would do us well to be more intentional and attentive, not taking it for granted, but receiving it as the most precious Gift. Because the Eucharist is a gift, we never “take” it with our fingers and always receive it from a priest, deacon, or extraordinary minister. Everything that we do in the Mass should in some way enrich and deepen our experience and mission of receiving and sharing the Gift of Christ Himself.
