If communion in the hand is mandated what should those who normally receive on the tongue do?

[goout]

This is a sad thread.

 

[acanonlawyer]

It follows these folks believe the Church authorities were wrong to introduce communion in the hand - and thus that they know better than the church authorities who introduced it and have maintained the practice.

If that is true, then what?

Dan

 

[acanonlawyer]

Make up your minds. You are angry at the Church for permitting CITH. You are furious at the Church for denying COTT. You are essentially disobedient to the Church’s laws because you can accept neither. This is how protestantism started.

Are you addressing these comments to anyone in particular?

Dan

 

[Anesti33]

I address my comments to the significant minority who are angry at the Church for permitting CITH as well as furious at the Church for denying COTT, as you have quoted.

 

[Angel_Bradford]

The obligation is to attend Mass; there is no obligation to receive Communion except for once a year. So if you don’t feel comfortable receiving in the hand…don’t receive. I think everyone understands the purpose mandating COTH is to prevent the spreading of COVID 19. Now, if we start to see a significant spike of the virus, particularly in the parishes, the Bishops will have no choice but to close the churches again…is that what you want? Receive as instructed or don’t receive; either way offer it up that we get past this.

 

[Brendan]

Perhaps you miss the point. Does mere personal preference trump the the public health inspired decision of the relevant authorities?

Define ‘relevant authorities’ then? Are we talking government or church?

 

[acanonlawyer]

I address my comments to the significant minority who are angry … as well as furious …

Do you think some people participating in this thread are angry and furious? I haven’t really picked up on that.

Dan

 

[Organist78]

Amen! Great post!

I can only speak to my experience:

Some of the people who receive on the tongue, it is more about making a statement about how “Catholic” they are then reverence.

When people start debating this subject and which is better, I grant that reception on the tongue is superior with regard to the theological symbolism of the shepherd feeding the sheep. But I also state that a reason to receive communion on the tongue is because you feel that this is what God is calling you to do. If reception on the tongue is more about making a statement, if it is more about showing off how Roman you are, how much of a loyal child of Rome you are, then you are doing it for the wrong reasons.

I also point out that the fact that person A believes they are called to receive on the tongue does not entail that person B must do so.

 

[Organist78]

So you define “respectful disagreement” as outright disobedience?

You see no difference between “respectful disagreement” and outright dissent? You see respectful disagreement about a liturgical practice as on the same level as dissent on abortion or gay marriage or take your pick of a doctrine?

 

[LisaB]

Amen! Great post!

I can only speak to my experience:

Some of the people who receive on the tongue, it is more about making a statement about how “Catholic” they are then reverence.

Did these people tell you this? I’m curious how you know their intentions.

 

[Norseman82]

I prefer to receive on the tongue (I have on upcoming YouTube video pertaining to this topic), but, I have been receiving in the hand because of the pandemic. Better just not to risk it. If you can’t bring yourself to do so, just don’t receive.

Which is what I’m doing. I’m one of “those people” who used to receive in the hand, then found myself licking my hands to make sure I got any loose particles from my hand. The last time I received in the hand was after the Archdiocese suspended tongue reception a week right before our state lockdown, but even then I was able to sneak off to the sacristy, lick my hands, then apply hand sanitizer out of everyone’s sight. However, not that I’m a volunteer with the reopening, I obviously cannot do that. Plus, considering that I’m wearing plastic hand coverings for an hour straight before communion time, my hands get too sweaty, and a quick spray of hand sanitizer just won’t do the trick.

We need to realize one thing: it is NOT a sin to NOT receive the Eucharist at every Mass one attends. The precept of the Church is that one only need to receive once a year during the Easter season, and in the USA the “countdown clock” actually begins in Lent (so personally, I’m covered). Also, in many places (at least where I love), the obligation to receive has been dispensed with this year.

Another option would be to see which parishes may have been given an exception for their EF Masses, and then see if I can register and receive at one of those Masses.

 

[Rau]

Define ‘relevant authorities’ then? Are we talking government or church?

Both, but does it really matter? What is at stake - mere personal preference.

 

[Brendan]

Both, but does it really matter? What is at stake - mere personal preference.

Actually, more than that, who has the Authority to make that decision. In the case of COTT vs CITH, the ‘relevant authority’ is the person themselves. So the heath inspiried decision would rest with the person themself.

And the are certainly free to make whatever decision that their health concerns dictate.

 

[Margaret_Ann]

After the Consecration, They’re Particles not crumbs.

 

[Rau]

Actually, more than that, who has the Authority to make that decision. In the case of COTT vs CITH, the ‘relevant authority’ is the person themselves.

Do you feel personally harmed by the current restrictions (on COTT) or are you just irritated that actions taken in the interests of public health appear not to have conformed to the letter of Church law? Would the matter be soothed should the Church authorities address how an unforeseen and unaddressed circumstance should impact the means of reception of communion?

 

[Lucy_1]

I am one of those people, and it’s not some selfish personal preference. I simply don’t feel worthy to touch Jesus. I probably will eventually receive in the hand, but I don’t feel ready. I understand most people-- people who are holier than I am-- have no issue with receiving in the hand, but I am just not in that place. Also, some people struggle with scruples and OCD, so keep in mind that there are all different kinds of people out there. No one should be complaining about not being able to receive on the tongue, it’s the safest way during this pandemic, but there’s nothing wrong with quietly refraining.

 

[MNathaniel]

I am one of those people, and it’s not some selfish personal preference. I simply don’t feel worthy to touch Jesus. I probably will eventually receive in the hand, but I don’t feel ready.

Thank-you for your thoughtful reply. Do you mind if I ask, in love: is there a reason you feel unworthy to touch Jesus with your hand, but worthy to touch Jesus with your tongue, esophagus, and stomach lining?

In Communion, Jesus touches us. It’s sort of the nature of the phenomenon. Our bodies become one. I’m not sure I follow how we can fear touching the person we’re literally becoming one body with.

(Again, I mean this with love and in case it jogs anything differently in your mind on this. Also as a genuine question, if you do have an answer. I’m not trying to be belligerent, and I appreciate your comment that some people struggle with scruples and OCD on this too.)

 

[Lucy_1]

Thank-you for your thoughtful reply. Do you mind if I ask, in love: is there a reason you feel unworthy to touch Jesus with your hand, but worthy to touch Jesus with your tongue, esophagus, and stomach lining?

@MNathaniel The Sacred Body is food, but receiving in the hand is… an extra step, I guess? I’m not sure I can explain it exactly to get the point across, or if I even know myself, as I’ve never thought about it enough to explain it to someone else.

I eat the Sacred Body as food-- that’s the only way to receive Him (although personally I don’t chew the Eucharist. I know that sounds coo coo-- partly I do it that way because it’s the way I was taught to receive.)

It’s like in the OT when the bearers of the ark of the covenant carried it with poles, that was the only way they could carry it. When they reached out to keep it from falling and touched it with their hands, they died. I mean, wow. Of course, they had been told not to touch it and disobeyed, so the analogy isn’t the same. We are free to touch Him with our hands, the rubric says it’s ok, and there’s absolutely nothing lesser about it.

Maybe the difference between the tongue vs the hand for me is sort of symbolic? Symbolic isn’t exactly the right word… Like when John says “I’m not worthy to I untie his sandal” of course he touched him, ate with him, baptized him, etc. but, he’s right, he wasn’t worthy, and John was so much more holy than I am.

The weird thing is that in my parish ppl who want to receive on the tongue are allowed to, if they line up last, but I still haven’t received because I think that’s pretty risky. So it’s not like I’m some pious person. If I’m not even willing to risk getting covid in order to receive Jesus, how deep does my devotion run? It’s hard to know our own motives… idk, I’m probably just a weirdo, lol.

 

[Brendan]

Do you feel personally harmed by the current restrictions (on COTT) or are you just irritated that actions taken in the interests of public health appear not to have conformed to the letter of Church law?

I am not harmed by it, by Archbishop recognized where the authority lay, and provided for both forms. Personaly, I like virtous bishops, and obedience is a virtue.

Would the matter be soothed should the Church authorities address how an unforeseen and unaddressed circumstance should impact the means of reception of communion?

How was it unadressed??, the question was asked during Covid, and the response was recieved, that even in the midst of an epidemic, the authority on the mode of reception resides in the individual. If that authority is to be revoked, it must be done by the CDWDS, as the were the originators of the instruction.

It is as simple as that. The bishop may request, but not command.

In addition, Aquinas defined the Virtue of Justice as to give to one what they are due. Since the Church has given the authority to decide on the of the reception to the individual member of the faithful, to deny that would be an act of injustice. Even in the midst of a pandemic, should our bishops act with Justice or Injustice?

 

[Montrose]

I don’t understand what the big deal is here. In normal circumstances it is the communicant’s decision to receive on the tongue or in the hand.
However, we are in the middle of the worst global health crisis for a hundred years. If the Bishops have concluded that it is safer during this crisis to only receive in the hand then what is the problem. You are still able to receive.
Surely we should not be stubborn and should show some humility.