Standing to recieve communion

[jimmy]

Does anyone else have a problem with people standing to recieve communion? I think this is a big problem. Think about it, how should we approach God? Should we approach him standing? If God was standing in front of you, would you stand? We walk up to recieve communion and it is like we are taking something that is rightfully ours. Shouldn’t we be recieving it as a gift from God? Shouldn’t we show reverence, since it is Christ that we are recieving?

 

[nianka]

This bishops in the USA have stated that standing is the posture they prefer as it shows respect. While I personally would prefer to kneel, I follow their preference. Were I able to gracefully and smoothly kneel like that wonderful lady and her husband on EWTN, I would do so (first talking to my priest about it, so as not to shock him in front of everyone), however, age and general clumsiness precludes that. If I had my druthers, I’d love to see the altar rail re-installed and used. -sigh-
nianka

 

[otm]

If Christ were to walk into the Church tomorrow, I wouldn’t do a belly flop in front of Him, nor would I crawl towards Him on my knees.

A lot of what we feel as reverence is because that is what we were taught was reverence. However, Christ doesn’t call us to “feel” reverent, but to be reverent. There is a difference - feelings are emotions, and they come and they go; sometimes they are appropriate, sometimes not.

It isn’t what you feel, it is what you do. The bishops have said we stand. Standing is also a sign of respect.

Standing is also a much easier position in which to receive the Cup, as well as the Host. The Church has not required us to receive both, but they certainly have indicated that is preferred.

There are those who do not wish to receive from the Cup, and they are certainly permitted to not receive (although I often wonder if it was Christ Himself standing there offering the Cup, how many who won’t receive now would then); however, given that the bishops have permitted and encouraged reception under both species, I would think that we could put personal preference aside and allow the rest of us to receive as we are encouraged and we wish.

 

[Deacon_Tony560]

I agree that standing is a sign of respect, also. However, I understand that when a long tradition is changed, people feel uncomfortable. In my parrish, we have a very few that go down on their knees and then stand up to receive. I respect that and it causes no problems. Jesus knows what is in our hearts. We could look like a person who is very faithful and praying all the time Etc. and in reality be far from that.

Deacon Tony

 

[SummaTheo]

If Christ were to walk into the Church tomorrow, I wouldn’t do a belly flop in front of Him, nor would I crawl towards Him on my knees.

A lot of what we feel as reverence is because that is what we were taught was reverence. However, Christ doesn’t call us to “feel” reverent, but to be reverent. There is a difference - feelings are emotions, and they come and they go; sometimes they are appropriate, sometimes not.

It isn’t what you feel, it is what you do. The bishops have said we stand. Standing is also a sign of respect.

Standing is also a much easier position in which to receive the Cup, as well as the Host. The Church has not required us to receive both, but they certainly have indicated that is preferred.

There are those who do not wish to receive from the Cup, and they are certainly permitted to not receive (although I often wonder if it was Christ Himself standing there offering the Cup, how many who won’t receive now would then); however, given that the bishops have permitted and encouraged reception under both species, I would think that we could put personal preference aside and allow the rest of us to receive as we are encouraged and we wish.

Just because you reject the cup does not mean you reject Jesus. Every morsel of the communion host is the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Christ Himself. So it is not necessary to go and drink from the cup. Some people like it and others don’t. So don’t judge people’s actions…I like to kneel but I’ll stand. On a side note: they got rif of your altar rails!!! Thats a terrible shame. Does anyone else have that problem here?

 

[SummaTheo]

If Christ were to walk into the Church tomorrow, I wouldn’t do a belly flop in front of Him, nor would I crawl towards Him on my knees.

A lot of what we feel as reverence is because that is what we were taught was reverence. However, Christ doesn’t call us to “feel” reverent, but to be reverent. There is a difference - feelings are emotions, and they come and they go; sometimes they are appropriate, sometimes not.

It isn’t what you feel, it is what you do. The bishops have said we stand. Standing is also a sign of respect.

Standing is also a much easier position in which to receive the Cup, as well as the Host. The Church has not required us to receive both, but they certainly have indicated that is preferred.

There are those who do not wish to receive from the Cup, and they are certainly permitted to not receive (although I often wonder if it was Christ Himself standing there offering the Cup, how many who won’t receive now would then); however, given that the bishops have permitted and encouraged reception under both species, I would think that we could put personal preference aside and allow the rest of us to receive as we are encouraged and we wish.

 

[Deacon_Ed]

Standing/Kneeling – which is better? The answer is that neither is “better.” Scripture relates the story of the Publican who stood in the temple and prayed that God would have mercy on him. Jesus tells us that he went home justified. The Council of Niceae tells us that we may not kneel on Sunday because that is the day of resurrection. Thus, the Eastern Catholic Churches (except for those that were heacily Latinized) do not kneel on Sunday and, in fact, stand to receive communion and always have.

The Latin Church developed a custom of kneeling as a sign of respect because that is what happened in the Roman court – one would genuflect before the civil magestrate and would kneel before the emperor. This carried over into the Church (as did the term “diocese” which comes from the Latin diocesis or the earlier term dioecesis which means “jurisdiction”).

There is nothing inherently “reverent” or “respectful” in kneeling or in standing – those attributes come from our interior disposition.

Deacon Ed

 

[ncjohn]

Deacon Ed:

Standing/Kneeling – which is better? The answer is that neither is “better.” Scripture relates the story of the Publican who stood in the temple and prayed that God would have mercy on him. Jesus tells us that he went home justified. The Council of Niceae tells us that we may not kneel on Sunday because that is the day of resurrection. Thus, the Eastern Catholic Churches (except for those that were heacily Latinized) do not kneel on Sunday and, in fact, stand to receive communion and always have.

The Latin Church developed a custom of kneeling as a sign of respect because that is what happened in the Roman court – one would genuflect before the civil magestrate and would kneel before the emperor. This carried over into the Church (as did the term “diocese” which comes from the Latin diocesis or the earlier term dioecesis which means “jurisdiction”).

There is nothing inherently “reverent” or “respectful” in kneeling or in standing – those attributes come from our interior disposition.

Deacon Ed

Wow, thanks for that information. It’s always nice to get these little nuggets that help understand where some of this stuff comes from.

Peace,
John

 

[pnewton]

I have no problem with it primarily because it has been the only way I have received. I can sympathize with those who have experienced a change, but I believe reverence is best shown with humility, which is reflected by obedience, particularly in areas we do not agree with.

 

[otm]

SummaTheo:

Just because you reject the cup does not mean you reject Jesus. Every morsel of the communion host is the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Christ Himself. So it is not necessary to go and drink from the cup. Some people like it and others don’t. So don’t judge people’s actions…I like to kneel but I’ll stand. On a side note: they got rif of your altar rails!!! Thats a terrible shame. Does anyone else have that problem here?

I don’t think I said anything about rejecting Jesus. And I don’t hink I judged anyone’s actions. But I did ask a question: To those who do not receive from the Cup, were you to approach for Communion, and as you were moving from having received the Host, and you saw this person standing there, with nail marks in his hands, holding the Cup, and you recognized that this was the Resurected Jesus standing there (somewhat like the two discoples on the road to Emmaeus), what would you do?

 

[jimmy]

Deacon Ed:

Standing/Kneeling – which is better? The answer is that neither is “better.” Scripture relates the story of the Publican who stood in the temple and prayed that God would have mercy on him. Jesus tells us that he went home justified. The Council of Niceae tells us that we may not kneel on Sunday because that is the day of resurrection. Thus, the Eastern Catholic Churches (except for those that were heacily Latinized) do not kneel on Sunday and, in fact, stand to receive communion and always have.

The Latin Church developed a custom of kneeling as a sign of respect because that is what happened in the Roman court – one would genuflect before the civil magestrate and would kneel before the emperor. This carried over into the Church (as did the term “diocese” which comes from the Latin diocesis or the earlier term dioecesis which means “jurisdiction”).

There is nothing inherently “reverent” or “respectful” in kneeling or in standing – those attributes come from our interior disposition.

Deacon Ed

Yeh, I often go to a Byzantine Church and they stand. I am just sick of the lack of reverence. I think there was a huge change in the view of The Eucharist when they got rid of the communion rails and started giving communion in the hand. I know the Byzantine tradition, and I respect it. But I think the Latin Church should follow the kneeling simply because people atleast knew what they were recieving then.

 

[MrS]

otm:

If Christ were to walk into the Church tomorrow, I wouldn’t do a belly flop in front of Him, nor would I crawl towards Him on my knees.

A lot of what we feel as reverence is because that is what we were taught was reverence. However, Christ doesn’t call us to “feel” reverent, but to be reverent. There is a difference - feelings are emotions, and they come and they go; sometimes they are appropriate, sometimes not.

It isn’t what you feel, it is what you do. The bishops have said we stand. Standing is also a sign of respect.

Standing is also a much easier position in which to receive the Cup, as well as the Host. The Church has not required us to receive both, but they certainly have indicated that is preferred.

There are those who do not wish to receive from the Cup, and they are certainly permitted to not receive (although I often wonder if it was Christ Himself standing there offering the Cup, how many who won’t receive now would then); however, given that the bishops have permitted and encouraged reception under both species, I would think that we could put personal preference aside and allow the rest of us to receive as we are encouraged and we wish.

absolutely false!!!

in fact, the preference is to only offer both species at a Sunday Mass. It is neither theologically better, nor would Christ consider only one species incomplete.

 

[MrS]

Deacon Ed:

Standing/Kneeling – which is better? The answer is that neither is “better.” Scripture** relates the story of the Publican who stood** in the temple and prayed that God would have mercy on him. Jesus tells us that he went home justified. The Council of Niceae tells us that we may not kneel on Sunday because that is the day of resurrection. Thus, the Eastern Catholic Churches (except for those that were heacily Latinized) do not kneel on Sunday and, in fact, stand to receive communion and always have.

The Latin Church developed a custom of kneeling as a sign of respect because that is what happened in the Roman court – one would genuflect before the civil magestrate and would kneel before the emperor. This carried over into the Church (as did the term “diocese” which comes from the Latin diocesis or the earlier term dioecesis which means “jurisdiction”).

There is nothing inherently “reverent” or “respectful” in kneeling or in standing – those attributes come from our interior disposition.

Deacon Ed

It was not the standing that justifies…

Augustine writes:
Why then marvel you, whether God pardons, since He himself acknowledges it. The Publican stood afar off, yet drew near to God. And the Lord was nigh to him, and heard him, For the Lord is on high, yet has he regard to the lowly. He lifted not so much as his eyes to heaven; that he might be looked upon, he looked not himself. Conscience weighed him down, hope raised him up, he smote his own breast, he exacted judgment upon himself. Therefore did the Lord spare the penitent. You have heard the accusation of the proud, you have heard the humble confession of the accused Hear now the sentence of the Judge; Verily I say to you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other.

 

[JKirkLVNV]

MrS:

absolutely false!!!

in fact, the preference is to only offer **both **species at a Sunday Mass. It is neither theologically better, nor would Christ consider only one species incomplete.

With respect, Mr. S, did you intend to say “both” or “only one?”

 

[MrS]

JKirkLVNV:

With respect, Mr. S, did you intend to say “both” or “only one?”

preference is to offer both… only… at a Sunday Mass. You will see this happen correctly at a TLM (which by the way offers only one species at a weekday Mass)

thanks for noticing my ambiguities

 

[pnewton]

Our archbishop has requested that both species be offered at all Masses, when possible. Since there is not benefit as far as the substance one way or another, I would respect whichever way it was offered. I prefer both species purely on an aesthetic, symbolic and experiential level, none of which applies to anyone but me.

When I travel to places that only offer communion under one species, I am just as grateful for the body and blood I receive in that one species.

 

[otm]

jimmy:

Yeh, I often go to a Byzantine Church and they stand. I am just sick of the lack of reverence. I think there was a huge change in the view of The Eucharist when they got rid of the communion rails and started giving communion in the hand. I know the Byzantine tradition, and I respect it. But I think the Latin Church should follow the kneeling simply because people atleast knew what they were recieving then.

People knew what they were receiving then, not because they knelt, but because catechesis was better.

Neither standing or kneeling is in itself going to provide the necessary catechesis. Action on the part of bishops and priests will, along with knowledgeable laity.

The hugh change in the understanding of Communion may or may not have started at the time that Communion rails were removed, but the removal of the raisl was not the cause of the change in understanding; it was the change in catechesis that started that.

and a further challenge to your statement is the whole issue of how to interpret the results of a poll, or a couple of polls, which in themselves were not well conducted. Jimmy Akin has answered the “common understanding” of what those polls really say or don’t say, and what they prove or don’t prove. You should look it up. It might surprise you; he pretty well disassembles the popular understanding of those polls.

 

[otm]

MrS:

absolutely false!!!

in fact, the preference is to only offer both species at a Sunday Mass. It is neither theologically better, nor would Christ consider only one species incomplete.

Absolutely false? You should do some more reading, starting with the GIRM.

 

[JKirkLVNV]

MrS:

preference is to offer both… only… at a Sunday Mass. You will see this happen correctly at a TLM (which by the way offers only one species at a weekday Mass)

thanks for noticing my ambiguities

I wasn’t nitpicking, I was confused.

 

[jimmy]

otm:

People knew what they were receiving then, not because they knelt, but because catechesis was better.

Neither standing or kneeling is in itself going to provide the necessary catechesis. Action on the part of bishops and priests will, along with knowledgeable laity.

The hugh change in the understanding of Communion may or may not have started at the time that Communion rails were removed, but the removal of the raisl was not the cause of the change in understanding; it was the change in catechesis that started that.

and a further challenge to your statement is the whole issue of how to interpret the results of a poll, or a couple of polls, which in themselves were not well conducted. Jimmy Akin has answered the “common understanding” of what those polls really say or don’t say, and what they prove or don’t prove. You should look it up. It might surprise you; he pretty well disassembles the popular understanding of those polls.

I think that changing the posture did change the way people were chatechized. Think about it. If I have to kneel to recieve the Eucharist, then it must be something of great importance. You don’t kneel to recieve just a piece of bread. I think that people knew the importance of the Eucharist just because of the way that it was recieved.

You are probably right though about there being better catechesis then.