It's No Tater Chip!

[Crusader]

After watching a few Masses on TV from the National Basilica and the Basilica at the Univerity of Notre Dame, I think it’s high time that some attention be focused on not treating the Body of Christ like a mere potato chip.

When receiving in hand, I would guess 95%+ of everyone I have observed actually receives the host in their hands in a reverent and proper manner. It’s rare to see people grabbing at the host and I would expect this is a product of decent catechesis.

However once the host has been received in one’s hand, it’s apalling to see how many people then consume the host with almost total indifference. As if God were a mere potato chip – as if the consumption of God’s body is almost an after thought as we make the turn back to the pews.

Many seem more focused on making the sign of the cross after they consume the host, rather than having God in their hands.

This is certainly no plug for receiving on the tongue – far from it, but my golly, I cannot believe that people are aware of just how shabbly they appear to be handling God just before they consume the host…

 

[Dr.Colossus]

I don’t know…I may be one of the type who appear to “shabbily handle God”, but my main concern after receiving is to get the Eucharist into my mouth so I don’t drop it.

 

[Scout]

Dr. Colossus:

I don’t know…I may be one of the type who appear to “shabbily handle God”, but my main concern after receiving is to get the Eucharist into my mouth so I don’t drop it.

I think I’m the same way. I’m not comfortable receiving on the tongue, but knowing I have the Lord in my hand makes me a bit nervous, too. I don’t want to drop it. I also don’t want anyone behind me accidentally bumping me and knocking it out of my hands. so, I consume it as quickly as possible and get out of the way of those behind me.

Scout :tiphat:

 

[space_ghost]

Dr. Colossus:

I don’t know…I may be one of the type who appear to “shabbily handle God”, but my main concern after receiving is to get the Eucharist into my mouth so I don’t drop it.

my favorite is to watch the reverent reception, either in hand or mouth, only to watch them chew like a cow chewing it’s cud… drives be bonkers… :bigyikes:

 

[Crusader]

Dr. Colossus:

I don’t know…I may be one of the type who appear to “shabbily handle God”, but my main concern after receiving is to get the Eucharist into my mouth so I don’t drop it.

When handling the Son of God, I could care less if I hold up any line…

Give this technique a try – you can even do it as you walk.

Receive as usual in the palm of your left hand, with you right hand under your right hand. ( Reverse this for lefties.)

Now move your right hand over your left hand and gently press the corner of the host down with your right index finger. This will both secure and “tilt” the host in your left palm.

Move both hands up to your mouth in unison. Consume the host that is perfectly tilted for your mouth to receive. Works real well and you can give your palm a lick if there should be any crumbs…

 

[RichT]

Or how about when they approcah the cup and receive the Blood while still chewing and licking their lips? It’s almost like they are using the Blood to wash down the Body.

Seriously Crusader, maybe you can describe what you think we should be doing after receing the Host in our hands. The probelm is you are only looking at what you can see on the outside. You have no idea where a person’s heart is at that moment. Besides, is it really any of our business?

 

[Crusader]

RichT:

Or how about when they approcah the cup and receive the Blood while still chewing and licking their lips? It’s almost like they are using the Blood to wash down the Body.

Seriously Crusader, maybe you can describe what you think we should be doing after receing the Host in our hands. The probelm is you are only looking at what you can see on the outside. You have no idea where a person’s heart is at that moment. Besides, is it really any of our business?

I would never really notice this in real life as I like most people are so focused on receiving holy communion that I don’t notice others. However on TV it looks flat-out disgusting and worse, irreverent.

Your argument is the same used by those who feel that people should be able to dress any way they want at Mass. Both here and in that situation, the argument falls flat.

 

[RichT]

Crusader:

I would never really notice this in real life as I like most people are so focused on receiving holy communion that I don’t notice others. However on TV it looks flat-out disgusting and worse, irreverent.

Your argument is the same used by those who feel that people should be able to dress any way they want at Mass. Both here and in that situation, the argument falls flat.

Falls flat? Well, the argument is that you have no idea where a person’s heart is at that moment. That is a fact unless they have told you, or you are a mind reader. Since you are watching this on television I am willing to guess you truly don’t know. The rest is simply a question. Is it really any of our business? Why not answer the question?

 

[Ray_Marshall]

RichT:

Or how about when they approcah the cup and receive the Blood while still chewing and licking their lips? It’s almost like they are using the Blood to wash down the Body.

Sometimes the Body sticks to the roof of my mouth. Then the Blood can be used to loosen it and make it easier to swallow without chewing. I don’t believe that I have ever “chewed.” That to me seems like a sacrilege.

But I would think that if one were watching the Mass on TV, one should still be in prayer rather than acting as a “Decorum Detective.”

 

[ppcpilot]

as an EMHC, I dislike it whenever the Cup is returned to me and almost slammed down in my hands…or when kids almost drop it because they just hand it back in my general direction and let go. There are also some that grab this big silver cup with one hand and drink instead of having one hand below…

Like the prevous poster said, you don’t really know what is in their hearts, but this is what I observe through their actions.

 

[Crusader]

Ray Marshall:

Sometimes the Body sticks to the roof of my mouth. Then the Blood can be used to loosen it and make it easier to swallow without chewing.** I don’t believe that I have ever “chewed.” That to me seems like a sacrilege.**

But I would think that if one were watching the Mass on TV, one should still be in prayer rather than acting as a “Decorum Detective.”

Interesting topic. Watch an older priest and typically they’ll use the “full dissolve” method of consuming the host. Fr. Angelus on EWTN is superb at this technique.

Younger priests are actually taugh to chew. After all, it is a meal (please, no hate mail.) Fr. Anthony on EWTN is an excellent chewer.

Both of these priests are absolutely first-class, so I would suggest that both methods are just fine.

 

[Scout]

I’m a dissolver. I don’t ever chew it. I’m not comfortable with that, either. I just let it rest on my tongue until it disolves. If it sticks to the roof of my mouth, I just leave it there until it disolvers from there, too. But that’s just me.

Scout :tiphat: