Do we "take" Communion or "receive" it?

[coeyannie]

I was always under the impression that we “receive” Communion. I am so dismayed when people refer to Communion and say that they “take” Communion.

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

The eucharistic institution narratives in the New Testament record that Christ directed his disciples to “take” his body and the cup of his blood (cf. Matthew 26:26-28, Mark 14:22-23). Using the word take then in reference to Communion is not wrong. Even so, traditional Catholic piety has encouraged use of the word receive to emphasize that Communion is a gift from Christ to the individual Catholic. Both terms are correct, but the term take can sometimes give the impression that reception of Communion is an unconditional right. Use of the term receive often can correct that misimpression.