Communion

[thomasf]

Since I’ve returned to the church and started learning and researching my catholic faith, I’ve heard a lot about communion, the eucharist, and what a great revealing experience it’s supposed to be. I am not ashamed to admit, even being raised catholic and going to church for 18 years, I never fully understood the importance of the eucharist, and the power the sacrament has. I certainly understood that it was an important part of the catholic faith. For some reason, it was never emphasized as much as it is today, in the catholic community. Either it wasn’t stressed in ccd and our church, or I wasn’t paying attention. In either case, I am finding it a bit interesting and even refreshing as I grow in my faith as an adult.

Today I was listening to Al Kresta and he had a guy that wrote a book about the seven secrets of the eucharist (or something to that effect). He kept stressing what an important experience it is, and that we shouldn’t take it for granted, to take time to feel the power it has, etc. And as I listened to that, I couldn’t help but think I’ve been missing something while receiving communion. And it concerns me.

I’ve been trying to focus on the sacrament while in church, during communion. But to be honest, I find this to be a bit challenging. I think, from my experience, communion seems to be a little rushed in mass. And to me at least, there are things going on that seem a bit distracting. I always get really worried about things like getting in line properly, not looking stupid while going up, not dropping the eucharist, saying the ‘amen’ and making the sign of the cross properly, etc. I get wrapped up in the details of receiving the sacrament, and don’t get to focus so much ON the sacrament itself.

And besides that, I really find the whole thing to be rushed. It seems as though everyone is in a hurry to get up and get the sacrament and get back to the pews and get the mass over. When I was a kid, the church I went to was probably 3 times the size of the church go to now. It took a good 15 to 20 minutes sometimes to get through communion, and it felt like you had time to sit and reflect on what just happened. Watch others receive communion. Pray. Etc. The church we have now is much smaller and the whole thing doesn’t take as long. It seems as though I don’t get enough time to reflect on things or pray after.

I guess I fear that I’m not getting the ‘fullness’ of communion, that maybe I’m missing something. I wish it wasn’t such a rushed activity in the church, I think that adds to my distraction during communion.

I think I need to go and sit in adoration. I’ve never been, and I keep hearing what a great experience it is. Maybe it would help during communion, I don’t know.

Any thoughts?

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Since I’ve returned to the church and started learning and researching my catholic faith, I’ve heard a lot about communion, the eucharist, and what a great revealing experience it’s supposed to be. I am not ashamed to admit, even being raised catholic and going to church for 18 years, I never fully understood the importance of the eucharist, and the power the sacrament has. I certainly understood that it was an important part of the catholic faith. For some reason, it was never emphasized as much as it is today, in the catholic community. Either it wasn’t stressed in ccd and our church, or I wasn’t paying attention. In either case, I am finding it a bit interesting and even refreshing as I grow in my faith as an adult.

Today I was listening to Al Kresta and he had a guy that wrote a book about the seven secrets of the eucharist (or something to that effect). He kept stressing what an important experience it is, and that we shouldn’t take it for granted, to take time to feel the power it has, etc. And as I listened to that, I couldn’t help but think I’ve been missing something while receiving communion. And it concerns me.

I’ve been trying to focus on the sacrament while in church, during communion. But to be honest, I find this to be a bit challenging. I think, from my experience, communion seems to be a little rushed in mass. And to me at least, there are things going on that seem a bit distracting. I always get really worried about things like getting in line properly, not looking stupid while going up, not dropping the eucharist, saying the ‘amen’ and making the sign of the cross properly, etc. I get wrapped up in the details of receiving the sacrament, and don’t get to focus so much ON the sacrament itself.

And besides that, I really find the whole thing to be rushed. It seems as though everyone is in a hurry to get up and get the sacrament and get back to the pews and get the mass over. When I was a kid, the church I went to was probably 3 times the size of the church go to now. It took a good 15 to 20 minutes sometimes to get through communion, and it felt like you had time to sit and reflect on what just happened. Watch others receive communion. Pray. Etc. The church we have now is much smaller and the whole thing doesn’t take as long. It seems as though I don’t get enough time to reflect on things or pray after.

I guess I fear that I’m not getting the ‘fullness’ of communion, that maybe I’m missing something. I wish it wasn’t such a rushed activity in the church, I think that adds to my distraction during communion.

I think I need to go and sit in adoration. I’ve never been, and I keep hearing what a great experience it is. Maybe it would help during communion, I don’t know.

Any thoughts?

There is absolutely nothing wrong with simply staying for 15 20 minutes after Mass in prayer and reflection with Christ in the tabernacle and in you for that matter.

 

[PhilotheaZ]

One of the best ways to get the most out of Communion is to prepare well. Begin well ahead of time (the night before, or even several days before if you don’t go to daily Mass). Ask the Holy Spirit to prepare you to receive Jesus. Make many acts of spiritual communion throughout the day (i.e., tell Jesus you long to receive Him, and really mean it). Look forward to the moment of Holy Communion as the high point of your day (or week). The more you desire Him, the more graces you will be given when you do receive Him. Get to Mass early and pray in a similar fashion. Ask Mary to loan you her immaculate heart; ask her to pray that you will receive Jesus with the same kind of love she had for Him when she received Him into her womb and into her arms.

That time of thanksgiving after Communion is very important, too. Jesus is still bodily present in you for as long as the form of bread remains (about 15 minutes). Use that time well in silent adoration of Jesus within you. Don’t rush out to the parking lot as soon as Mass ends. Just because everyone else is rushed doesn’t mean you have to be. Just think how much Our Lord will love you for taking the time to linger with Him!

And I think your idea of sitting in adoration is a great one.