Smiling in the communion line

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bibleguy180

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Why doesn’t anyone ever smile in the communion line? Everyone seems to be frowning whenever I go to Church. I always try to smile and sometimes people smile back but mostly everyone is wearing a big fat 😦 or :mad:. I mean, Jesus died to save you! Be happy! 🙂
 
bibleguy180 said:
Why doesn’t anyone ever smile in the communion line? Everyone seems to be frowning whenever I go to Church. I always try to smile and sometimes people smile back but mostly everyone is wearing a big fat 😦 or :mad:. I mean, Jesus died to save you! Be happy! 🙂
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If they are like me, there is a happiness that goes beyond physical expression. Mass is a solemn occasion though.
 
Famule said:
If they are like me, there is a happiness that goes beyond physical expression. Mass is a solemn occasion though.
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Why does it have to be though? My LORD and Saviour came down from heaven to die on a cross and then rise up again so that me, you, and everyone else can have eternal life!
 
Why do people have to smile, though? Some of us are naturally ‘solemn’. Some may be carrying heavy crosses, and would be weeping if they weren’t bourne up with the (internal) happiness of receiving Christ. . .Should they paste a fake smile on so that somebody expecting everybody to feel exactly as he or she does (happy happy joy joy) won’t post threads about how grim and mean he ‘feels’ people are? 😃

Personally (although I’m short-sighted too which means that even in non-Mass circumstances I don’t see well), I’m not looking ‘around’ at communion, so I don’t notice if people are smiling, or frowning, or wiggling their eyes, or doing a happy dance. . .probably a good thing. . .
 
Actually, I don’t look at anyone when I receive (other than the servers, obviously). I walk with my head bowed. I’m not smiling, but I can’t say I’m frowning, either.

Miz
 
Some people may have either a more solemn or more emotional response to this fact. While it is certainly a cause for joy, people may react differently although they understand just as well as yourself. But we’re in the same boat–I have a strong compulsion to see the other people coming back from receiving Jesus in the Eucharist. If it becomes too much of a distraction (and I’m not saying it is or will), you can offer it up to the Lord.

God bless! ( :
 
I’ve also noticed the same thing. I’ve also noticed that no one else smiles either; not the reader or the person leading the singing. Actually, in our parish the only person who smiles a lot is the pastor! Most people do smile when giving the sign of peace though.
 
People are solemn because they believe they are receiving the Body and Blood of Christ. St. Paul warns in his epistle that many who receive the Eucharist in an unworthy manner became sick and some actually died. So basically, do not be bubbly and nonchalant when receving the Lord into your very being, because the purity of His presence can actually consume and destroy you.

As a disclaimer, I am certainly not recognizing Sacraments outside of the Orthodox Church, I am just giving you the Orthodox perspective so that you can understand why people aren’t necessarily “happy-go-lucky” at the Chalice. We approach with faith, love, and in fear.
 
When I go up to receive Communion, it is indeed a solemn, though joyful, moment. My focus is (as it should be) entirely on Christ, at least for those moments. I am concentrating on Him, not on anything or anyone else.

I certainly wouldn’t smile at anyone who tried to engage or distract me at such a time, and indeed, if I were not in a charitable mood, I would even be tempted to give them a bit of stink-eye into the bargain.
 
bibleguy180 said:
Why doesn’t anyone ever smile in the communion line? Everyone seems to be frowning whenever I go to Church. I always try to smile and sometimes people smile back but mostly everyone is wearing a big fat 😦 or :mad:. I mean, Jesus died to save you! Be happy! 🙂
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My pastor sometimes talks about the difference between happiness and joy. In Mass, we are joyful about our salvation. We are joyful about the celebration of Mass. We are joyful about the opportunity to worship with our community. Outward signs of happiness are not necessarily indicative of inward joy. Outward signs of happiness are sometimes just, what my pastor calls, “giddiness”.

In anycase, when in the Communion line, most people are praying. 🙂
 
There is a time and place for everything.

I mostly smile when I am relating to someone (and they say I smile a lot), so during Holy Communion I generally have eyes cast downward and am in an attitude of prayer - I don’t want to be distracted while receiving Christ.

There was an exception earlier this year though. As I was about to recieve Communion, the Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist misnegotiated a step and nearly went head over heals. Seeing the relieved expression on his face and being so relieved myself that there was no mishap to the chalice full of the Eucharist - I couldn’t help a broad smile.
 
I don’t smile, not because I’m not happy or joyful, but because I am in awe of Who I am about to receive. Also, I am usually praying that I am in the best mindset possible to receive Our Lord, and that His Body and Blood will be efficacious to me, and help me to combat sin and to be a faithful servant to Him so that I may one day inherit Eternal Life.

As you can see there’s a lot of thinking going on with that, so I’m not totally concerned with my current facial expression; in fact, I probably have a look of concentration on my face that could be interpreted as a scowl.
 
We don’t smile because joyfully yes, HE IS RISEN, but WE, WE STILL HAVE WORK TO DO! That is why we are solemn; I honestly don’t get who people are so happy in Church, how can you be all smiles when you look up at the front and see a man dying or dead on a cross, a figure in pain, and sadness. Think about the cross all throughout mass. He has offered salvation to us, but look at the cost.
 
First of all, we should all be completely focused on the fact that we’re about to become one with God when preparing and going up for Communion. Hence, we should do everything we can to prevent distractions. Looking downwards in prayer is a great way. Thus, we don’t have to worry about people smiling.

Secondly, we have to distinguish some things. There is false happiness and joy, and there is true happiness and joy. To see an example of false happiness and joy, go to a Protestant service with their goofy hymns and shaking and the whole deal. To see true happiness and joy, watch how devout nuns live their lives. What we have to realize is solemnity. People are not “unhappy” if they aren’t smiling. I know several priests who, probably because of their temperament very rarely smile. Yet, they are very devout. Not to say the ones who smile are not devout, of course, but I’m just trying to show that not smiling does not mean unholy. So when people go up for communion, they have (or should have) a great interior joy that doesn’t necessarily culminate in a smile. I myself am naturally very serious and I naturally have a serious expression on my face most of the time. This does not mean that I hate the world. It just means that I’m naturally solemn and serious.

Actually, I have to say that the way people take pictures nowadays is not as good is it used to be. People put on these big smiles that somewhat make the picture look fake. I like how in older pictures, the people aren’t putting on a fake smile, but instead are looking normal. Not that people smiling is fake, but the picture is capturing something that’s been “planned” already. With the older pictures, they just took pictures of how the people looked.
 
I don’t smile because I’m usually quite sore. If anything I’m wincing.

Once again, people need to be careful to not read too much into outward signs.
 
bibleguy180 said:
Why doesn’t anyone ever smile in the communion line? Everyone seems to be frowning whenever I go to Church. I always try to smile and sometimes people smile back but mostly everyone is wearing a big fat 😦 or :mad:. I mean, Jesus died to save you! Be happy! 🙂
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How do you know they’re not happy? Judge not…
 
iluvburpees said:
First of all, we should all be completely focused on the fact that we’re about to become one with God when preparing and going up for Communion. Hence, we should do everything we can to prevent distractions. Looking downwards in prayer is a great way. Thus, we don’t have to worry about people smiling.

Secondly, we have to distinguish some things. There is false happiness and joy, and there is true happiness and joy. To see an example of false happiness and joy, go to a Protestant service with their goofy hymns and shaking and the whole deal. To see true happiness and joy, watch how devout nuns live their lives. What we have to realize is solemnity. People are not “unhappy” if they aren’t smiling. I know several priests who, probably because of their temperament very rarely smile. Yet, they are very devout. Not to say the ones who smile are not devout, of course, but I’m just trying to show that not smiling does not mean unholy. So when people go up for communion, they have (or should have) a great interior joy that doesn’t necessarily culminate in a smile. I myself am naturally very serious and I naturally have a serious expression on my face most of the time. This does not mean that I hate the world. It just means that I’m naturally solemn and serious.

Actually, I have to say that the way people take pictures nowadays is not as good is it used to be. People put on these big smiles that somewhat make the picture look fake. I like how in older pictures, the people aren’t putting on a fake smile, but instead are looking normal. Not that people smiling is fake, but the picture is capturing something that’s been “planned” already. With the older pictures, they just took pictures of how the people looked.
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Heh. So your favorite photos are of Fr. Garrigou-Lagrange and Hilaire Belloc? You know the ones? Interesting idea.

Interesting question, I think there is a healthy Catholic instinct for being subdued, and exercising emotional restraint at Holy Communion. It is the supremely contemplative moment of the day, week, or other periodic time frame. Smiles reflect a surface happiness that is appropriate for many situations…even photographs I suppose. But the lowered eyes, the attempt at undistratced concentration upon the truly unfathomable gift that God has given which translates into an appearance of solemnity is undoubtedly preferable and commendable. The deep concentration of mind and body which a worthy Holy Communion requires seems incompatible with mere smiling.

Those who are upset that we aren’t smiling at each other probably don’t understand Catholic art and the reason why you never see artists depiction of our Lord and Lady, or of any of the Saints with big happy smiles. I despise these pictures I have seen, I think they are from Mormons, who show Jesus with a big smile. I can’t explain it exactly, but it strikes me the same as it would to see grinning in the Communion Line.

I don’t mean to belittle the original poster. But Catholics have a different experience than some Protestants for whom church is more like a pep rally. We aren’t trying to emulate anyone else because we have a unique and distinct experience that doesn’t communicate itself through the same expression we give as when we receive our food at the drive through window. But there are always lots of smiles, laughter, and glad handing, but after Mass, and also not in the church. Maybe being inside the church where our Lord and King is still present in the Tabernacle is part of the whole thing. There is a strong and healthy instinct in most of us to not be frivolous or frolicsome in such situations, but rather sober and solemn. Yes, I definitely enjoy the opportunity to literally behave as I should in the most serious moments of my life, reflective, concentrated, not wanting to miss the slightest interior movement of the soul for a few minutes every week. So please, if anyone is upset that I am not making eye contact or grinning at Communion, leave me alone. No offense I promise. Give me just a few minutes and I promise I’ll be right with you after Mass.

Rory
 
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