Do you "people watch" during communion?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Lepanto
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
L

Lepanto

Guest
If so, what can one do to resist the temptation, besides perhaps closing one’s eyes:cool: ?
 
I know it is easy to people watch, I have done it before, but I do not do it now.
I bow my head, and close my eyes, tuning out everything around me and talk to Jesus. I am so happy to just have Him to myself , so I treasure this time when He is truely present in the Eucharist.

Blessings
 
When I was a kid, yes. Because I’d been told that we were related to Jesus through Baptism and therefore royalty in God’s Kingdom, I would watch the princes and princesses return from receiving Communion. :o

~~ the phoenix
 
I watch people going and returning from communion and thank God for each and every one of my brothers and sisters in the faith. I need every last one of them.

It’s not a distraction; it’s an opportunity to give thanks and praise for the Body of Christ.

Matthew
 
I would agree with pray4peace in that one way would be to remain in prayer; after all the Mass is pretty much one long prayer; just about everything the presider says is prayer; pray with them; don’t just listen to the priest, but pray what he prays with him. During communion remain in prayer with your eyes closed preparing your heart to receive Our Lord; don’t worry about missing your turn to get in line, the usher will let you know.

One other way that I have done from time to time that is just as powerful is to observe everyone receiving Jesus in communion. Look at them as your family; watch as they each eat the body or drink the blood. Focus on how each person is actually being fed our God, creator of the universe; be moved by how we are all being united at this moment to each other and Our Father. This one has been hard to explain, but the times when I have seen it this way I have been moved to tears.

Blessings,
 
I try not to let my husband see me, because he is forever telling our kids to not people watch. It is amazing to see who was once a new born in her mom’s arms running up ahead of her dad and then herself receiving Communion.
 
drafdog said:
I watch people going and returning from communion and thank God for each and every one of my brothers and sisters in the faith. I need every last one of them.

It’s not a distraction; it’s an opportunity to give thanks and praise for the Body of Christ.

Matthew
Click to expand...
That’s a very nice thing to say!

Kathy
 
I do it all the time. Even more so if I am not at my home parish.
 
lepanto said:
If so, what can one do to resist the temptation, besides perhaps closing one’s eyes:cool: ?
Click to expand...
I do. I watch for people who walk away without consumming the Host. Or those who attempt to break it in half and give the other half to a child too young for Holy Communion. Unless I know they are Eastern Catholics, and we have a few that visit from time to time.
 
Unfortunately for me, people watching becomes more like woman watching. This includes the female EMHCs if they are suggestively dressed.

I acknowledge that it is a problem that I struggle with.
 
I did when I first converted. It did seem to be a distraction to me. Then I read a quote that asked the question if I were to receive a guest into my house would I be watching out the window after they arrived at all the cars passing by. It would seem rude… so now I just close my eyes and try to keep them closed. Jesus sometimes has to remind me though.

I think it is beautiful that some people thank God for each and every person who receives. I think that is very great, but it would be far too much of a distraction for me. 😊
 
Not me.

Why?

Because I get to the church for about an hour of prayer before Mass (rosary, the Mass readings, the prayers before Mass and Communion and meditation). By the time I return to my pew with Our Lord within me, I focus on His Presence (eyes closed) and every once in a while the joy overflows with tears.

When I was a boy and going to Mass because Mom said so, I people watched during the entire liturgy.

Joe
 
You know what’s funny? I thought I was the only one who did this! I do people watch, esp. people coming back from communion. It has always given me a sense of peace to do this. I’m not the most contemplative person, so this is a nice alternative for me.

Tracy
 
Sometimes I find myself staring at people during communion in awe of the reality of what is taking place and can really see that we are the Body of Christ.

Other times I find myself driven to my knees unable to look up for the same reason.
 
lduncan said:
Sometimes I find myself staring at people during communion in awe of the reality of what is taking place and can really see that we are the Body of Christ.

Other times I find myself driven to my knees unable to look up for the same reason.
Click to expand...
I am so glad for this thread! I do a good job of remaining in prayer immediately after returning to my pew and as I’m kneeling. But sometimes, there are times when I do find myself watching and many, many times, I feel the tears well up in my eyes and my heart pounds inside of me with the Holy Spirit… I can truly see and feel the community of saints we share with our Brothers and Sisters.

What a gift it is to be part of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church!

❤️ :grouphug: ❤️
 
lepanto said:
If so, what can one do to resist the temptation, besides perhaps closing one’s eyes:cool: ?
Click to expand...
yes on first communion days because I have to make sure the child actually receives, and that no problems develop. also if I am around for the youth Mass so I can retrieve gum if necessary. but ordinarily, no, I am trying to set an example for the kids on demeanor so I keep my eyes down when walking and closed when kneeling.
 
I must admit, I do it often.
This post made me think maybe yes, for me it can be a distraction. Maybe I should try not to do it. Or, do it more prayerfully!

Kathrin
 
I do it more than I’d like to admit! I normally go to mass alone (as in without my husband) with the kids, so I am so distracted already, that I often have trouble concentrating on prayer. I think I need to pray that God helps me pray better at Mass!
 
I just recalled another time when I was glad I did. I looked up after my own prayers and saw the face of a women returning down the aisle, with the most glorious expression of joy and happiness on her face. she happened to have long blonde hair and looked like an angel. I stopped her after Mass, apologized and told her how I was moved by her expression. She confided she had just entered the Church through RCIA following a very troubled life, and could not get over her joy in the Eucharist. I told her that no one who saw her face in this moment could ever doubt the Real Presence, and thanked her for reviving my own lagging faith. I also got involved, with DH, in RCIA beginning that very weekend, as sponsors, and have been invoved for over 20 yrs. Oh, in our conversation I also noticed she was actually much older than I had thought and her hair was graying, not blonde. Either it was the light through the windows or her own inner glow I had seen.
 
Well, I’m in the choir so I am usually supposed to be watching the choir director and looking at the music. (The choir receives first so we have to postpone our personal prayer until all have received. Since I’ve been singing in choirs I’ve learned that many postures and practices are not so much obligations as privileges.)

In any case, sometimes the director will have to take a moment away to attend to something so if I know the words and music I will watch the people walking to and from communion. And I feel very privileged to be united with them all through Christ.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top